Born in 1929, Geneviève Dangles embodied the innovative spirit of post-war French design. Initially trained in sculpture in the studio of Robert Couturier, she refined her vision at the École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, where she was influenced by the teachings of André Arbus and Marcel Gascoin. These encounters—both demanding and inspiring—shaped her sensitivity to design that was both functional and poetic.

As early as 1952, she made her mark at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs with a wicker chaise longue, already showcasing her talent for blending simple materials with bold forms. The following year, she co-founded an agency with her husband, Christian Defrance, a partnership as complementary as it was ambitious. Established in 1953, their studio quickly became a hub of creativity, merging artisanal rigor with modernity.

Their collaboration with the publisher Burov gave rise to iconic pieces, such as the Saturne armchair (1955), a symbol of French design that was both sleek and inviting. Together, they also designed interiors for the airline UAT, proving that elegance could thrive in everyday spaces as well as those of travel.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Geneviève Dangles and Christian Defrance left their mark on Parisian salons with their distinctive style: fluid lines, generous curves, and a geometry that was never cold. Then, quietly, they stepped away from the scene, leaving behind a legacy where each piece tells the story of human-centered design—timeless yet deeply rooted in its era.

Geneviève Dangles passed away in 2011, but her creations, still sought after today, continue to resonate with our time