Eileen Gray
Eileen Gray (1878 - 1976).
Kathleen Eileen Moray Gray, Irish architect and furniture designer. Work by Eileen Gray is known for its rational geometric shapes with clean lines and simple shapes. Eileen Gray was born into an aristocratic family in Enniscorthy, in the south of Ireland, where she spent her childhood. As a young girl she studied at the Slade School of Fine Arts in London to develop her artistic impulses - then moved to Paris where she spent most of here working life.
With her works in lacquer Eileen managed to break into the world of furniture and interior design. Her creative genius combined with an innovative sense of form, whilst being sensitive to colours that were used in new and innovative ways, often to startling effect. In 1921 Eileen opened a shop which gave the public direct access to her designs and works. The store was a relative success despite the owner's lack of commercial and marketing communication skills. She continued to refine her designs and built a growing reputation for excellent craftsmanship.
