In memoriam: Pauline Deltour (1983 – 2021)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

French designer Pauline Deltour was a much loved figure of the design world. Her passing was announced by her family via social media on 10 September 2021, sparking a series of tributes from several design personalities who admired her work.
Deltour graduated from ENSAD, and was Konstantin Grcic’s first female assistant before opening her studio in Paris, in 2010. An industrial designer with a sublime sensitivity for colour and shape, her works spanned furniture design, objects created with artisans, transport and technology-oriented projects as well as jewellery, and her collaborators included Hem, Cor, Cire Trudon, and Established & Sons, among many others.
At Wallpaper*, we have been fans of Deltour’s work for as long as the team remembers, and we admired her ability to merge a rigorous industrial design approach with a flair for chromatic compositions and harmonious combinations of soft forms.
Pauline Deltour's ‘Argent De Poche’ collection for Puiforcat, from the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2015.. InterIors: Maria Sobrino
She caught our attention with her ‘Argent De Poche’ collection for Puiforcat; a series of objects that many years later we still regard as one of the most excellent examples of contemporary silver design. Fascinated by the collection of small wonders, we nominated it as the Best Office Accessories in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2015. The pieces’ interplay between geometric forms nodded to art deco and Puiforcat’s origins, and the line-up included a series of pocket-sized objects in sterling silver, such as a cigar case and cutter, a key ring and card holder, a money clip and tape measure, perfectly balancing sophistication, function and a bit of humour.
‘It is with great sadness that we announce Pauline Deltour's sudden passing,’ the family wrote on the studio’s official social media channels. ‘Now is the time for prayers, her memory will live on through her inestimable contribution to the world of design.’
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 14 at 10.30am, at the church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, and those who wish to send their support are invited to do so via pourpauline@paulinedeltour.com
Wallpaper’s thoughts are with all her friends and family at this time.
‘Rope’ rugs for Hem
‘Bonhomie’ tea set collection created with Arita
‘Bloc’ coffee tables for Established & Sons
‘Drop’ seating for Cor
‘Éteintes’ bracelets for Jem Jewellery
‘356’ collection for Fucina
INFORMATION
paulinedeltour.com (opens in new tab)
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
The globe-trotting Cruise 2024 shows: what to expect
Everything you need to know about the upcoming Cruise 2024 shows, which see fashion brands jetting around the world, from Seoul to Los Angeles
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Oikos reimagines the door as ‘entrance architecture’
Italian security door manufacturer Oikos knows how to make an entrance
By Simon Mills • Published
-
Polestar 2 BST Edition 230 announced, a performance-focused limited edition
The Polestar 2 BST Edition 230 has been tuned and tweaked and set for a limited production
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
In memoriam: celebrating the lives and work of those we lost in 2022
We honour and remember some of the influential creatives lost during 2022, through the Wallpaper* tributes that ran throughout the year
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
In memoriam: Pierluigi Cerri (1939 – 2022)
We remember Italian architect and designer Pierluigi Cerri, who died on 29 November 2022 aged 83
By Maria Cristina Didero • Published
-
In memoriam: George Lois (1931 – 2022)
George Lois, the American advertising and graphic design titan, died on 18 November 2022, aged 91
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated
-
In memoriam: Fernando Campana (1961 – 2022)
We remember Brazilian designer and architect Fernando Campana, who died on 16 November 2022 aged 61
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated
-
In memoriam: Marcus Fairs (1967–2022)
We remember Dezeen founder Marcus Fairs, a leading light of design and architecture journalism, who has passed away at age 54
By Nick Compton • Last updated
-
In memoriam: André Dubreuil (1951 – 2022)
We celebrate the life and work of André Dubreuil and his inventive design pieces
By Simon Mills • Last updated
-
Russell Bell (1958 – 2022), an appreciation
We remember illustrator Russell Bell, whose artistry helped define the Wallpaper* aesthetic
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
In memoriam: celebrating the lives and work of those we lost in 2021
We pause to remember inspirational creative figures sadly lost in 2021, to whom Wallpaper* paid tribute during the year
By Rosa Bertoli • Last updated