cassandre cassandre cassandre By sefki ahmet

Facts about cassandre Born: 24 January 1901 – 17 June 1968-died aged 67 Ukrainian- french painter, commercial poster artist, and typeface designer. Inspired by cubism as well as surrealism, he earned a reputation with pieces such as bucheron (woodcutter), a poster created for a cabinetmaker that won first prize at the 1925 exposition internationale des arts decoratifs et industriels modernes. Le bucheron

Cassandre became successful enough that with the help of partners he was able to set up his own advertising agency called Alliance Graphique, serving a wide variety of clients during the 1930s. His creations for the Dubonnet wine company were among the first posters he designed in a way which allowed them to be seen by occupants in moving vehicles. His posters are memorable for their innovative graphic solutions as well as their frequent denotations to painters such as Max Ernst & Pablo Picasso. He also taught graphic design at the ecole des arts decoratifs and then the Ecole d’art graphique

With typography being an important part of poster design, Cassandre’s company created various new typeface styles. He developed Bifur in 1929, the sans serif acier noir in 1935, and in 1937 an all purpose font called peignot. In 1936 his pieces were exhibited at the museum of modern art in New York City which led to commissions from harpers bazaar to do cover designs. With the arrival of world war 2, cassandre served the french army until the fall of France. As for his business which had diminished he had to rethink a way of survival. He did this by creating stage sets and costumes for the theatre, something he had dabbled with during the 1930s. After the war he continued this line of work while also returning to easel painting. He worked with several famous french fashion houses, designing playing cards and scarfs for Hermes as well as the world-wide well-known Yves Saint Laurent logo. Cassandra's logo, which makes use of Yves' three initials in a vertical arrangement, has been central to the French design house for over four decades, which is usually executed in a striking black or gold. The logo is particularly symbolic of Stefano Pilati's reign at the house, appearing as a focus point in countless advertising campaigns (Kate Moss peering through a window and Claudia Schiffer leant against a YSL sign in the Hollywood Hills) and in his clothing line and accessory designs. YSL logo, 1961 By Adolphe Mouron Cassandre