NOTED 20th century design specialists Erik Müllendorff and Philippe Rapin have not let any talk of recession or eurozone meltdown hold them back.
Belgian Erik (pictured above left with his partner), a second generation Antwerp dealer who still maintains a home and shop in that city, joined forces with Philippe, who had been dealing out of Brussels and before that Paris, three years ago and their first move was to open Gallery 88 in Pimlico Road, London’s major thoroughfare for design and decoration.
And they have just opened in another choice location, at 25 Quai Voltaire, right next door to the celebrity restaurant Le Voltaire on Paris’s Left Bank.
Erik explained: “I have been considering Paris for a while but with Philippe we had the opportunity. He is French, has many contacts in Paris and also from his time dealing there already owns half the lease of the new Gallery 88.”
Philippe is now based in Paris while Erik looks after the London operation. They will continue with Patrick Perrin’s PAD fairs and Erik is also considering a return to BRAFA in Brussels, where he was once vice-president.
Although Gallery 88 Paris is already in business it will officially open with an exhibition of The Campana Brothers on September 12, the night of the Paris Biennale dinner.