FABIEN BARON

"If you can design one thing, you can design everything."
 -Massimo Vignelli

There's almost nothing Fabien Baron hasn't done, as if on a fast track to experience all aspects of a designer's life: Apart from being the creative director of Italian Vogue, French Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, he relaunched Interview magazine, helmed advertising campaigns for a bevy of fashion labels including Burberry and Prada, art directed for French Connection, is creative director of Calvin Klein, designed the cK One perfume bottle, designs furniture for Cappellini and Bernhadt, and of course, has his own eyewear line as well. And the list goes on.

Let's not forget his collaboration with Madonna on Sex, only one of the most controversial books ever published. And the man also goes behind the camera, working on ad campaigns and personal fine art.

Fabien's bathroom, designed by him

His work may span different mediums, but his touch is distinctly modern, sleek, and strong. Even the overt sexual tones in his advertising work have an urban, metallic feel. His product design has the same aesthetic: hard silhouettes, unexpected facets, no unnecessary adornment.

Apparently the title of Creative Director was invented because of him. "I was the first person to have that title," he has said. "I didn't want to be just the art director!"

And Creative Director he has been, shaping the face of fashion and advertising for the last two decades, deciding what we should desire, directing how we should look.
 
 Fabien Baron eyewear is available exclusively at seen@dempsey.