Christopher Guy, Global Presence - Transcending Boundaries

March 24, 2014 - PRLog -- Profile

Christopher Guy Harrison, an award-winning internationally renowned designer, is the founder and CEO of luxury furnishings brand, Christopher Guy. Born in Yorkshire, raised in Spain and France, now residing between London, Singapore and the US, Christopher’s international background helps him view the world through a critically constructive eye that draws in inspiration from everything he admires and transcends this into his designs. From an early age when holidaying along the shoreline in Cannes, Christopher became fascinated with elegance, which according to him is “an effortless form that is beyond beauty”. It was at the young age of 16, when working alongside his Spanish stepfather that he embarked on his first building project – their very own family home in the South of France, which ignited the sparks of passion for design.

When he decided to create the world’s finest designer furnishings, Christopher started with a clear objective – to make uniquely beautiful decorative furnishings that appeal to an international audience. Based on this design philosophy, Christopher Guy furnishings fuse a timeless beauty; elegance evocative of a cosmopolitan lifestyle, appealing to a discerning audience across the globe.

Evolution

Christopher’s first creations were brought to life in the mid-90s when he set out to create the world’s most fabulous and unique mirror frame collection under the name of Harrison & Gil. To produce this repertoire of beautiful pieces Christopher acquired a significant plot of land in Central Java, Indonesia and began designing and building his workshops, which opened in 1999.

Following the phenomenal success of the mirror frame business, the core philosophy of creating beautiful, original mirror designs was carried through to a growing range of luxury furnishings and decorative accessories. In 2007, the group, which comprised of both the original mirror frame line and new furnishings range, was renamed Christopher Guy to offer a complete lifestyle and luxury furniture collection.

Today

The Christopher Guy workshops in Central Java today cover more than one million square feet (10 Hectares) fitting harmoniously amidst the lush Javanese landscape. Those who first set eyes on the site believe it to be a vast, centuries old, Moorish castle, in truth this extraordinary structure was designed by Christopher to reflect the sense of mystique and drama prevalent in his collections. More astonishingly, behind these weathered facades lays a leading-edge facility, the workplace to two-thousand of the world’s finest craftsmen, housed in an exceptional environment.

The Christopher Guy Showrooms are carefully created to allow designers to view 'The World's Most Fabulous LifestylesTM' in their full splendor. A new 9,000 sq.ft Christopher Guy showroom opened its doors in January 2013 at the Las Vegas Design Center and extensive work is currently being carried out on a vast 20,000 square feet showroom on the top of the New York Design Centre. Christopher Guy has opened a variety of showrooms across the globe, from Shanghai to LA, including London's famed Harrods department store in 2011.

Well-known for fusing classicism with modernism in his designs, the Christopher Guy "Look" can be described as a “contemporary mood with classic values”. Above all else, Christopher Guy’s unique work is characterised by elegance, which forms the DNA of each design and central to the philosophy of the brand.

Christopher Guy's signature design includes the patented Chris-X (pronounced criss-cross) leg design. This trademark feature is seen throughout his collections, inspired by the waist-line of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, and the pose of a ballerina. Other signature elements include the 'Silk-Slice' that can be seen in certain Christopher Guy chairs, dining tables and cabinets; There are so many unique design elements within the collections, ensuring that one can never mistake the CG look for anything else.

A singular vision and uncompromising sense of style, along with an ongoing pursuit for elegance in every piece he designs has driven Christopher to continually redefine the aesthetics of design. The result is a place at the forefront of the world’s luxury furnishings market.

Global Presence - Transcending Boundaries

With presence in 42 cities that include showrooms throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Christopher Guy offers a fresh approach to design, transcending modern, traditional and cultural boundaries. Christopher Guy creations are selected by leading designers and retailers, from the grandest hotels and spectacular resorts, to the world's finest residences. Its stylish appeal and often elaborate aesthetics has led to cameo roles in many iconic movie productions.

Whether as statement pieces in grand hotels or Hollywood film sets, Christopher Guy’s timeless and elegant designs are widely acclaimed as the world’s most fabulous decorative furnishings.

Hotels

Christopher Guy pieces adorn many hotels and luxury resorts across the world, including; Wynn Encore, The Bellagio, The Venetian, Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, Hilton International, Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons, Edwardian Group, San Clemente Palace – Venice, Sandy Lane Barbados, The Lanesborough – London, Grosvenor House Hotel – London, The London Savoy, The Dorchester, Ritz- Carlton Tokyo, Marriott Worldwide, Phoenix Resort China and the Wynn Macao to name but a few.

Hollywood Productions

Christopher Guy pieces have featured in a host Hollywood Productions including: Stardust, Sleuth, The Thomas Crown Affair, Room 1408, Casino Royale (007), Tomorrow Never Dies (007), Ocean’s 13, The Devil Wears Prada, The Mummy, Charlie’s Angels 2, The Hangover, Shanghai Knights.

Key Milestones

1993  : Christopher Guy founded Harrison & Gil.

1994  : Christopher Guy sold his first mirror frame at Harrods, London.

1998 : Relocated to Indonesia and began construction of his vast workshops.

2004  : Received the Outstanding Design award by British Interior Design Association.

2005  : Christopher Guy formed its headquarters and corporate office in Singapore.

2007 : Its brands, Harrison & Gil (UK) and Dauphine Mirror Company (USA) are renamed Christopher Guy.

2010  : Certificate of Excellence awarded by HA+D for the loose furniture category

2011  : Awarded the 2011 Design Icon by the World Market Center and Las Vegas Design Center.

2011  : Christopher Guy launched its 3,000 sq ft showroom space at Harrods in June.

2012  : Christopher Guy celebrates opening of new flagship showroom in West Hollywood.

2013  : A new 20,000 sq ft Christopher Guy showroom is under construction in New York City.

2013  : Christopher Guy opens a new 9,000 sq ft showroom at the Las Vegas Design Center.

2014  : A new landmark London showroom set to open in Summer.