Luxury – Colour – Texture

The Collection of David Collins

At Christie’s King Street on 4 November

London – Christie’s is pleased to announce the collection of renowned interior architect David Collins will be offered at auction at Christie’s King Street on 4 November, 2014. Following his untimely death in 2013, the collection crystallises his subtle yet distinctive vision that now pervades the contemporary aesthetic and urban landscape. His imagination and creativity brought to fruition luxury interior design and architectural projects across the globe. The projects created by his eponymous Studio represent deeply-textured interiors that feel simultaneously contemporary yet established, rooted in the life and traditions of their respective locations and exemplifying the designer’s extraordinary capacity to reinvent and reinterpret the past. Comprising 200 lots and with estimates ranging from £300 to £60,000, the sale is expected to realise in the region of £1 million.

Among the furniture, lighting, works of art, photographs and pictures by major 20th Century designers and artists included in the sale are works by Marc du Plantier, Jean Royère, Fontana Arte, Christian Bérard, Line Vautrin Ado Chale, Wolfgang Tillmans, Steven Klein (including two photographs from the series ‘Madonna Rides Again’, which were a gift from Madonna), Nicolas Aubagnac, and Mario Testino. These are complemented by works conceived by the late David Collins and his eponymous Studio, in their signature style.

Highlights include a pair of floor lights by Paul Dupré-Lafon (estimate £30,000 – 50,000), a glass coffee table by Fontana Arte (£8,000 – 12,000) and a portrait of an acrobat by the French painter Christian Bérard (estimate £40,000 – 60,000).

Jeremy Morrison, Senior Director, 20/21 Design, Christie’s London:

 ‘David Collins interiors effortlessly combine refinement, luxury and simplicity – a rare skillful balance that created some of the most sought-after and talked about interiors in the world. As well as being the interior designer and architect behind some of the world's most glamorous restaurants, hotels, bars and boutiques, his luxury interior designs for private homes resonate internationally among the most influential of the last 25 years. Christie’s is honoured to offer this collection,  which gives all those who enjoyed and were inspired by his work the opportunity to see how he furnished and lived in his own London home. By the careful placing of important 20th century French design pieces alongside modern works of the highest quality produced by the David Collins Studio, David Collins created the ultimate London home interior.’ 

One of the most successful restaurant and bar designers of the British food Renaissance, David Collins left his touch in some of London’s most precious landmarks, as exemplified by the elegance of design icons such as The Blue Bar, The Wolseley, and The Connaught Bar. David Collins designed and collaborated with some of the most notable personalities in the world of music and fashion.

 ‘When I look around my houses in New York or London, I am struck by what an influence he has had on me. He has left his souvenirs everywhere: his touch, his taste, his flair and his blue.’  - Madonna as quoted in ABCDCS, published by Asssouline

‘If there are a dozen colours, there are an infinite number of shades, and these are the key to harmony and interest and ultimately engaging people.  Combining materials, colours and patterns is something that I never tire of.  Blending hard with soft, layering stones against silk, or plaster behind glass, the endless combinations excite and inspire me, letting a design unfold as the materiality, textures and tones hidden within are discovered .’

- David Collins

PRESS CONTACT: Alexandra Deyzac | +44(0)207 389 2265 | adeyzac@christies.com

The eCatalogue will be available online in October