Set superstar Alexandre de Betak’s Paris apartment interiors go under the hammer

The interior of Alexandre de Betak's Parisian residence
(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

For 30 years French art director, scenographer and designer Alexandre de Betak has pulled off some the fashion world’s most outstanding catwalk shows. Who could forget the 59 ft mountain of blue delphiniums he constructed in the courtyard of the Louvre for Raf Simons’ final Dior show in 2015, or last year’s Paris show for Rodarte in a 16th-century hospital garden cloister – a location de Betak himself found.

In addition to pulling together more than 1,000 catwalk spectacles, the runway producer has also designed furniture and houses and amassed a vast collection of art and objets. On 28 March, Paris auction house Piasa holds a sale of more than 200 pieces taken from his Paris apartment. Among them are minimal and kinetic artworks and lights, furniture from the 1940s to the 1970s and prototypes of his own pieces.

Interior shot at Alexandre de Betak’s Parisian residence

Alexandre de Betak’s collection spans from the 1930s to the 1980s, combining futuristic pieces with pop in art and design

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

Quanta, by Fabrizzio Cocchia and Giafranco Fini, 1970, a prototype armchair by Jorgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, 1960s and Alexandre de Betak’s ‘Day Bed’ prototype

Pieces up for auction include Quanta, €10,000-€15,000, by Fabrizzio Cocchia and Giafranco Fini, 1970 and ‘Day Bed’ prototype, €10,000-€15,000, by Alexandre de Betak

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

Left, Gisele, by Alexandre de Betak, 2002. Right, Armchair prototype, ​by Jorgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, 1960s

Left, Gisele, €15,000-€20,000, by Alexandre de Betak, 2002. Right, Armchair prototype, €10,000-€15,000, by Jorgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, 1960s

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

Various super-hero and Star Wars toys

Also up for sale is a range of toy figures, including Darth Vader and C-3PO cases, €300-€400

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

A 13-piece super-hero figure collection up for auction

The 13-piece super-hero figure collection is expected to sell for between €5,000-€7,000

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

Tableau Mobile, Voyage n° III, by Frank Malina, 1958

Tableau Mobile, Voyage n° III, €8,000-€12,000, by Frank Malina, 1958

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

‘Non stop sofa, modèle DS-600’ canapé, by Ueli Berger, 1972

‘Non stop sofa, modèle DS-600’ canapé, €3,000-€4,000, by Ueli Berger, 1972

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

Left, 4 cercles concentriques, by Gregorio Vardanega, 1969. Right, Radio, by Paul Louis Gastaud

Left, 4 cercles concentriques, €3,000-€4,000, by Gregorio Vardanega, 1969. Right, Radio, €600-€900, by Paul Louis Gastaud

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

Left, Programma, by Gianfranco Fini, 1970. Right, ‘Ensemble de trois chaises’, by Marinus A. Vjim

Left, Programma, €18,000-€25,000, by Gianfranco Fini, 1970. Right, ‘Set of three chairs’, €800-€1,200, by Marinus A. Vjim

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

‘Centre de table’, €150-€200, by Joseph Hoffman, 1970

‘Centre de table’, €150-€200, by Joseph Hoffman, 1970

(Image credit: © Fred Lahache)

INFORMATION

‘Alexandre de Betak, My Parisian Interior Art + Design’ is on view from 22 – 28 March. For more information, visit the Piasa website

ADDRESS

Piasa
118 rue du faubourg
saint-honoré 75008
Paris

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Emma O'Kelly is a freelance journalist and author based in London. Her books include Sauna: The Power of Deep Heat and she is currently working on a UK guide to wild saunas, due to be published in 2025.