THIRTEEN.

The Paris-based designer Hervé Van der Straeten is best known for his extraordinary work in the design world. Still an art student in Paris, he began making and then showing jewelry to some of the greatest fashion houses: Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Today a major powerhouse, he has expanded his mark not just in jewelery but into exquisitely-made, and often romantic, furniture pieces where he showcases his experience with materials such as bronze, parchment, marble, lacquer, and other luxe materials.

Van der Straeten is, without a doubt, designer whose work should definitely be shared and explored. For further reading: a recent, quirky Elle Décor article allows some personal insight to the extraordinary designer with his twelve favorite things. He is also featured in several wonderful New York Times articles, discussing his incredible contribution to both the fashion and interior design world.

For more samples of his work, check out this gallery.