Throughout his life in New York, American designer Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016), who was born in Germany to a Russian cabinetmaker and emigrated to the United States in the 30s to flee the Nazis, has established himself, not only as one of America’s greatest furniture designers, but also as one of New York most beloved personalities. While he began his long and prolific career in the 50s as a partner in Kagan-Dreyfus showroom and interior decorating firm, Kagan has never stopped creating furniture; in recent years, he has become more influential, enjoying revival and creative renaissance. His furniture has become more sensual, more interesting, more curvelinear, and his name has become known all over the world. In the last two years of his life, Vladi, as we used to call him, worked on his latest pieces of furniture for Carpenters Workshop Gallery’s founders Loïc Le Gaillard and Julien Lombrail. He did not live to see these creations completed, but last night, four months after his death, all of those who loved him have come together at the opening of a new exhibition “Howing Kagan” at Carpenters Workshop Gallery in New York. Everyone had their stories about Vladi, as he had the most spectacular memory, and the ability to make you feel special. Always.
