Vincent Fourcade facts for kids
Vincent Gabriel Fourcade (born February 27, 1934 – died December 23, 1992) was a famous French interior designer. He was also the business and life partner of Robert Denning. Vincent once said, "Outrageous luxury is what our clients want." This shows his focus on very fancy and expensive designs.
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Early Life and Learning About Design
Vincent Fourcade grew up in a wealthy French family. He spent many of his early years in a large house with twenty bedrooms. This house was filled with custom-made furniture by a famous designer named Louis Majorelle.
He learned about design by visiting many beautiful homes. He traveled to France, Italy, and other places. He remembered every detail, even what was on small tables. Vincent studied at University College London. His family was involved in banking, and they were friends with the Rothschilds, another well-known banking family.
Life in New York City
Vincent Fourcade was very popular and often invited to social events in the United States. He first tried a career in banking, like his father and grandfather. In 1959, he met Robert Denning. Robert Denning had learned a lot about design from working with photographer Edgar de Evia. They worked on sets for fabric and furniture companies.
Vincent and Robert shared a beautiful apartment in Manhattan. Important clients like Lillian Bostwick Phipps and her husband Ogden Phipps visited them there. Vincent would help Ogden Phipps find expensive French furniture. Robert, however, would take Lillian Phipps to different, less fancy places to find unique items. This sometimes made Vincent a little annoyed!
Later, Fourcade and Denning lived together in a red brick mansion on East 73rd Street in Manhattan. They also built a house in Bridgehampton, Long Island. Both of their homes were featured in many decorating magazines around the world.
Denning & Fourcade Design Firm
Over time, Vincent and Robert became known for their extremely luxurious designs. Their style was even more lavish than the famous le goût Rothschild style. In 1960, they started their own company called Denning & Fourcade, Inc.. For over 45 years, their firm was known for its high standards. They worked for many famous and wealthy clients.
New York magazine once called them "the Odd Couple." Robert Denning was described as hardworking and down-to-earth. Vincent Fourcade was seen as someone who would check if a client was socially important before getting deeply involved.
They worked for friends like Michel David-Weill. Even Jackie Kennedy, the former First Lady, was a client. She sent them notes thanking them for their amazing work. One note thanked him for a delicious meal in beautiful surroundings.
Later Years and Illness
In the early 1980s, Vincent Fourcade became ill. He managed to stay strong and look well for much of that decade. He and Robert Denning traveled often between New York and Paris, flying on the Concorde airplane. Vincent's older brother, Xavier Fourcade, who was a well-known art dealer, also passed away from an illness in 1987.
By 1990, Vincent's illness became more serious. In early 1992, he and Robert took their last trip on the Concorde to Paris. Vincent spent his final days in their apartment at 16 rue de Chazelles in Paris. This street was near the studio of the sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi, who designed the Statue of Liberty. Vincent Fourcade passed away in December 1992.
See also
In Spanish: Vincent Fourcade para niños
