French furniture brand Liaigre debuts in India with a specially curated exhibition

For Liaigre, the French brand renowned for its distinctive approach that honours context through a subtle design language, elegance is inseparable from craftsmanship. Established in the mid-1980s by French architect Christian Liaigre, the brand has consistently sought to balance contemporary design with traditional handcrafted techniques, bringing a timeless quality to its projects—ranging from interior design to furniture and lighting. The company, which styles itself as a ‘House of creation’, carries forward the legacy of making endowed by 18th century cabinetmakers and interior designers and 1930s modernist masters. Under the leadership of Christophe Caillaud, president of the brand, Liaigre aims to establish itself within the global design landscape. Marking this ambition, the furniture brand has launched its debut exhibition in India, featuring some of its most notable works.

On view at the æquō gallery in Mumbai from September 25 - October 20, 2025, the showcase is conceived as an immersive experience, recreating the atmosphere of a Parisian apartment. The exhibition opened with a private viewing in the presence of Caillaud; Henri Corbin de Mangoux, General Manager for Southeast Asia, India and the Pacific; and François Mainetti, Managing Director for Asia. With the intention of offering visitors a curated journey and salon series that highlights Liaigre’s commitment to craftsmanship and its projection of a contemporary life mediated by good design, the exhibition unfolds as a series of thoughtfully arranged settings. Crafted with traditional, hardy materials such as wood, bronze and lacquer, the Liaigre style is expressed through harmonious proportions, sophisticated colour palettes and subtle details—all in pursuit of a quiet, understated sense of luxury and comfort, as highlighted in the Mumbai showcase.

As the brand’s motto emphasises, its designs are conceived to ‘fit in the context’ through an understated but sumptuous aesthetic. The exhibition at the contemporary design gallery, curated by the brand’s in-house interior design team, Studio Liaigre, aims to offer the city’s larger creative community and the Indian design ecosystem a teaser of the French spirit of design.

“Relevance is one of our utmost values at Liaigre. For our temporary installation in Mumbai, we didn’t want to mimic Indian culture. We rather wanted to create a conversation between our French aesthetics and Indian culture, in a very humble way,” Caillaud told STIR. For the showcase, the team has put together some of the company’s most recognisable works from its vast catalogue of furniture and lighting. For their debut in India, their signature philosophy of restraint is offset by a subtle infusion of colour. A warm palette of yellow, bronze, mustard, green and ochre—meant to evoke the vibrancy and vitality of the country—pervades the showcase, most notably in the upholstery fabrics of the sofas and armchairs. On display in the gallery is the Saint-Germain armchair, exemplifying the brand’s attention to juxtaposing modernity and tradition through form and material choices. Similarly, other seating designs on view include the Nagato stool in natural oak—which embodies their attention to materiality through a minimalist, almost brutalist form—as well as the Basse Terre and Augustin sofas.

Complementing these are some of the brand’s table designs, such as the Craie table, combining a wooden top with a ceramic base, the Naja coffee table and the bronze Trépied side table. Each setting showcases the brand’s emphasis on timeless pieces that can be combined and passed down for generations. Apart from the signature works on display, the exhibition also features new work, including the Sienne lamp, a sculptural ceramic piece designed in collaboration with Paris-based ceramic artist Karen Swami. As Caillaud elaborates, Liaigre’s minimal designs are complemented by Indian antiques—sourced from stores like Phillips Antiques and Mahendra Doshi—adding a distinct charm to the exhibition. Other new works on display include the Don sconce in bronze, the Emae wall candle holder in bronze and stone and the Mezzo lamp in glass and bronze.

With their foray into the vibrant Indian design scene, the showcase marks a crucial new chapter for the brand. As Caillaud shares, “I am very attached to a dynamic of evolution, which is very much present today in our studio and must be strong within a House of creation. In particular, we have moved towards softer, slightly more rounded lines, but also brighter colours. When we want to go further, we call on artists who are compatible with our universe, who have the audacity to push us further.” The showcase, rooted in an unwavering pursuit of beauty and artisanal excellence, becomes a quiet meeting point where French and Indian aesthetics subtly converge.