I don't know that it was a surprise to most that Olivia Putnam, Andree’s daughter, has been groomed from a young age to take on her mother’s legacy.
The Paris based designer gave MODWOMEN some insight of her path following her mother’s footsteps, while embracing her signature being.
Renowned icon of Interior Design, Andree Putnam brought her conceptual mind into the public’s eye, and transformed lifeless spaces into innovative masterpieces. Andree comes from an artist’s background , the daughter of a concert pianist, she was imbedded with art, music and culture from an early age. Andree attended France’s most prominent music conservatory, and became a well-trained musician. Her love of the arts and design led her to become the world’s most influential designer, decorating the interiors of such notables as YSL, Karl Lagerfeld, as well as France’s former minister of culture, and the Bordeux museum of contemporary art. Her firm, Agence Andree Putnam, established in 1997, showcases everything from furniture, to flatware to sheets and even fragrance.
MODW What are the pressures have you had to deal with when it comes to taking over for such a famous parent?
Andree Putnam
MODW What are the pressures have you had to deal with when it comes to taking over for such a famous parent?
OLIVIA Most of the pressures were coming from myself as I was wondering if I was able to make it. For years, Andrée was waiting for me, but I had to follow my own road before coming over. As Andrée is most of all my mother, I understood she was famous the day somebody asked her for an autograph, as we were walking down the road.
MODW How do you want to develop the business?
OLIVIA As I was a landscape designer, I’m very sensitive to architecture, but the design part of the creation is very enjoyable because it goes fast, contrary to the garden.
MODW Was this always your career choice or did you sacrifice some others dreams to do this? Do you regret it? Is it the best thing to ever happen to you?
OLIVIA I needed to “train” my eyes before coming over 3 years ago. I spend few years in the contemporary art world and then I began to study again and became a landscape designer. I think that all the experiences I had help me today in this new adventure.
MODW As a woman, what do you think the costs are to having it all today? Can women really do it? Have you been able to do this, and how? Or is the reality of life in such a busy age making it necessary for women to pare down and choose?
OLIVIA It has never been for me a problem to be a woman in the fields of contemporary art, landscaping or design.
MODW What the best thing about your career?
OLIVIA Concerning my career at the head of the Studio Putman, it is the day my mother was so proud when I won a contest for Nespresso by designing their new cups.
MODW What is your proudest achievement?
OLIVIA My children. I am so proud to see them growing up and become more and more autonomous. To see them getting out of the nest to prepare their own particular way of life is my greatest success.
MODW Do you see a lot of Andrée in yourself or not? How do you and Andrée collaborate?
OLIVIA I recognize Andrée in me on many fields and especially on the way I behave with people without searching if they are important, famous, rich or not. Andrée is in total confidence with me and I love to exchange with her when I bring at her home the last projects we are working on at
the studio.
MODW Who are some of your favourite female designers?
OLIVIA You won’t be astonished if I tell you Eileen Gray of course. I am also very interested by Ray Eames.
MODW What are some things you enjoy in life outside work?
OLIVIA I enjoy many simple things: walking in Paris and looking at new architectural details I’ve never seen before, visiting galleries, laughing with my buddies and exchanging very personal things with them…
MODW What is one of your happiest moments in your life?
OLIVIA I had many but the last one is the day I called back the man I was in love with thirty years ago: he told me he was ready to go on again.
ONE OF OLIVIA'S FAVOURITE LIGHTING DESIGNS ...1989 Hotel du Lac - Tokyo