About
About Renaud Vuaillat
Director and founder Renaud Vuaillat has had an enviable career encompassing twenty years of experience, which began at the Serpette flea market in Paris. Originally specializing in 18th century decorative arts, he instantly became the point person for a large part of the American market. In 1999, he opened an antiques gallery in the Saint-Germain district in Paris. A year later, energized by seeing Hubert Le Gall's Pic Poisson pedestal table during a visit to the first Salon des Arts et Métiers at the Musée d'Afrique et Océanie, Vuaillat's attention began to turn towards more contemporary work. By 2002, he had quietly created his own line, redesigning historically fashionable pieces into more modern sizes and materials. This fresh angle on his passion took him closer to the artistic process. In 2004, he moved to a new Left Bank store, where he showcased wares from living designers. New York quickly took notice, and he started to live between Manhattan and Paris, selling and consulting, until moving to the city in 2006, where he opened Twenty First Gallery. He also recruited Le Gall, who recalls, "I have known Renaud since I started out. At that point, I was his client. His tastes were eclectic, but sound. When he proposed to represent me in New York, I didn't hesitate. His natural elegance, friendship and vision for contemporary work have proven to be a winning formula." Vuaillat's shift from last century to present day reflects not only his evolving taste and discerning eye for design and detail, but also a changing landscape. Today, his selection of artists and their work is notable for its acute sense of craftsmanship, beauty and functionality.
About Twenty First Gallery
Twenty First Gallery engages the needs of interior designers, collectors and private clients, many of whom were among Vuaillat's first acquaintances during his twelve year tenure at the Serpette. Renaud Vuaillat's gallery space is an essential stop in the TriBeCa district's furniture design circuit. Within 2500 square feet of hardwood floor laid out in a classical ground floor open loft, new work is always appearing. Vuaillat continually hones his talent for display, and his presentation reveals a strong instinct for living space, as well as his gift for sourcing treasures. As lifelong collectors and artists Bernar and Diane Venet can attest, "Renaud always displayed great taste, which is why we are happy to work with him. He is a courageous man, a fantastic dealer with great contacts who trust him, and of course, a wonderful friend." His low-key demeanor betrays his extensive and exclusive global clientele: design enthusiasts who seek collectible, timeless pieces that are handmade to order in limited quantities. In recent years,
Twenty First Gallery's selections have appeared in interiors from Aspen, Los Angeles, Gstaad to Hong Kong. Vuaillat enjoys working very closely with his mostly European artist roster (many of them belonging to the French crafts guild "Les Compagnons du Devoir"), leveraging a personalized relationship into international sales, participation in fairs, and highly increased exposure.
By Alex Zafiris