Colette Guéden, born on December 1, 1905, in Cholon, Cochinchina, is a major figure in 20th-century decorative arts. She spent her childhood between Paris and Toulon before enrolling at the École des Beaux-Arts in Saint-Étienne. Three years later, her talent and ambition led her to Paris, where she began her career in 1928 as a designer at Atelier Primavera, the decorative arts department of the Printemps department store.

Promoted to workshop manager in 1932 and then to artistic director in 1939, Colette Guéden succeeded Madame Guilleré and established herself as an innovator in her field. She created unique designs for everyday objects—furniture, fabrics, rugs, glassware, and ceramics—blending traditional craftsmanship with modernity. Her style is characterized by a balance between folk art influences and modern trends, all infused with a sincere love of nature. Guéden's creations, joyful and ingenious, were designed to be durable and functional, transcending fleeting fashions to become timeless pieces.

Active on both the national and international art scene, she regularly exhibited at the Salons des Artistes Décorateurs, where she became a member in 1937 and later vice-president, as well as at the Salons des Tuileries, the Salons des Arts Ménagers, and the 1937 International Exhibition. Her works were also shown abroad in San Francisco, Birmingham, Helsinki, The Hague, Buenos Aires, and Milan. Among her many projects, she contributed to the decoration of the Élysée Palace, the French embassies in Rome and Belgrade, General Eisenhower's residence in Marnes-la-Coquette, and the ocean liner La Marseillaise.

Colette Guéden also left her mark on the design world by revitalizing rustic and utilitarian objects rooted in traditional craftsmanship. Thanks to her, pieces made from wicker, ceramics, and glassware from revitalized artisan centers found their place alongside modern industrial objects. A visionary, she contributed to the evolution of decorative arts, ensuring the continuity of the bold work begun by René Guilleré at Primavera.

Knighted in the Legion of Honor in 1949 and a member of several institutions, including the Société d’Encouragement à l’Art et à l’Industrie, she influenced generations with her creativity and resolutely modern spirit. Her works reflect a deeply human and practical conception of art, where aesthetics are never separate from function. Colette Guéden passed away in 1991, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shine and inspire.