Pierre Renart creates "fluid and dynamic" bench for Longchamp's first furniture collection

French designer Pierre Renart has created an American walnut and leather bench and a set of chairs for luxury brand Longchamp at Milan design week.

Debuting at its Milan store during Milan design week, the brand's first furniture collection was designed by Renart to combine his signature style with Longchamp's distinct identity.

"The project fused wood and leather, blending Longchamp's leather expertise with my woodworking approach focused on movement and fluidity," Renart told Dezeen.

"The goal was to transform these materials into something unexpected – light, elegant, and harmonious – while respecting both traditions."

Commissioned by Longchamp, the collection contains a bench named Wave and eight Ruban chairs.

Each of the pieces has a fluid form created from layers of American walnut veneer bent to form pieces in Renart's distinct style. For the collection, the designer integrated leather into his pieces for the first time.

"The Ruban Chair design, inspired by fluid, unbroken lines, took over 10 years to refine," explained Renart.

"Using laminated bending techniques, I shaped the wood to complement its natural grain, creating a seamless, organic form that's both elegant and deliberate."

"Leather posed challenges in maintaining the lightness and grace of my designs," he continued.

"After testing various types, we chose a supple cow hide leather that integrated smoothly with the wood's curves."

The collaboration continues a relationship between the designer and the brand that began with Renart designing a series of signature pieces for Longchamp in 2021.

His pieces were incorporated into the window displays of several stores, including the Regent Street flagship in London.

Longchamp artistic director Sophie Delafontaine told Dezeen the brand made the decision to collaborate with Renart for its first furniture collection as the energy of the pieces "resonated with the Longchamp spirit".

"It also showcases both our artisanal know-hows, using noble materials like wood, which shares leather's warmth, authenticity, and natural appeal," Longchamp artistic director Sophie Delafontaine told Dezeen.

"Pierre's work brings wood to life, transforming it from a rigid material into something fluid and dynamic – light, elegant, and full of energy. This movement in his pieces immediately resonated with the Longchamp spirit."

Among Renart's other signature pieces is a reception desk created for the lobby of the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper in London, which was recently renovated by leather specialist Bill Amberg Studio.

The photography is by Federico Avanzini.

See our Milan design week 2025 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.

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