Roche Bobois Unveils New Pieces Featuring the Work of Jean Cocteau

Jean Cocteau once wrote, “Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” With a collection featuring his fanciful illustrations, Roche Bobois is certainly making a major statement. Pillows, rugs, and ceramics adorned with his iconic motifs prove to be the perfect touch for punching up the chic quotient to any room from a grand salon to an artist’s garret. The first iteration, released in 2013 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the renowned artist and poet’s death, has now grown to offer new embroidered adornments, painterly patterns, and decorative vessels.

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“The magic of Jean Cocteau’s drawings speaks to everyone with their mix of poetry, whimsical spirit, and very elegant graphics,” says Philippe Gazaille, director of Roche Bobois’s Nouveaux Classiques collection. For the terra-cotta plates and vases, Roche Bobois even stayed true to form, using the same colors of clay and exacting techniques the artist once employed to create his pottery. The result—pure poetry.

Tour Eiffel rug with “Profil a la Tour Eiffel” design by Jean Cocteau for Roche Bobois’s new collection. Photo: Courtesy of Roche Bobois

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2019 Late Fall Issue in the section “The Artful Life.” Subscribe to the magazine.