Award-winning interior and exterior designer Pascale Reymond is the managing director of Reymond Langton Design, a company she formed with Andrew Langton in 2001. Reymond’s creative background includes a master’s degree in art history from La Sorbonne, Paris before moving to London to study interior dDesign. Her attention to detail is key to her success, and this can clearly be seen in the team’s most recent delivery, Lürssen’s Lady Lara, along with other recent deliveries including the new Kismet, Ester III (below), and Ann G. Here, Reymond explains how her diverse abilities are her strengths, and what she enjoys most about the design process.
MegayachtNews.com: You seem to run a very different type of organization compared to some other yacht design houses. Why do you think that is?
Pascale Reymond: Our studio is all about design and creativity, and not so much about merchandising. This explains why 80 percent of our team are designers, and our administrative department is relatively small. We are all hands-on in terms of design and drawings. Apart from traveling to meet clients and shipyards, I spend a large part of my time in the studio, drawing by hand and also mostly on CAD. This is the most important and exciting part of our profession, which I simply love doing. I am also very proud to employ many women yacht designers, which is very rare in our industry. Should you visit many other yacht studios, I guarantee that you will not see many ladies at the drawing board.
MegayachtNews.com: Your projects are often very Art Deco in appearance, is this a coincidence, or are your own personal tastes mixed with those of your clients?
Pascale Reymond: I love Art Deco and have done a few yachts in this style. I have also worked on many contemporary interiors, which I also enjoy doing. However, I never mix my personal taste with the wishes of my clients. I am very sensitive to their needs and always like a challenge. For your information, my personal taste is contemporary interior with strong antique Asian accents. Many of my private homes are designed this way. I have not done quite this style on a yacht so far.
MegayachtNews.com: What is it that makes you as a designer different?
Pascale Reymond: My design skills are very diverse, and this makes me a very self-sufficient designer. I am very confident with all aspect of the design process, from the selection of colors and materials through to the architecture and planning. I have a strong knowledge in art history and fine art, having spent five years at the university studying the subject. I am also a very fast designer, working directly on CAD, which helps me in moment of tight deadlines.
MegayachtNews.com; What are your thoughts on design trends, and how do you see them evolving?
Pascale Reymond: I am welcoming all the land-based designers and architects, as they bring novelties and breezes of fresh air to the yacht industry. With their involvement, the present design trend appears to go towards purer design, which I like, if you add a touch of comfort and softness. I never make plans or predictions myself and prefer to go with the flow. This way you never get disappointed, and life remains an incredible adventure.
MegayachtNews.com: What has been your most challenging project to date?
Pascale Reymond: It’s all just happening now. I will let you know when we succeed. All I can say for now is we are very busy on new exciting designs, the details of which must remain confidential at present.
MegayachtNews.com: How do you deal with the regulatory bodies? Is there a fine line between what they want and what you would prefer to install?
Pascale Reymond: I always design what I think is the best design solution, and later I will try to make it work with the regulations and negotiate. I believe that architectural luxury stems from good detailing and design, and this has nothing to do with regulations. However, when it comes to finishes, we have to be innovative. That can be challenging! The PYC (Passenger Yacht Code) regulation, for exampl,e has a very large and serious impact on the planning of yacht staircases, vertical fire zones, and space requirements, and this can be very frustrating at times.
MegayachtNews.com: Do you see a difference between what European and American owners ask for?
Pascale Reymond: I do not really like generalizing nationalities. We are designing for individuals with extremely varied design briefs.
MegayachtNews.com: What makes a superyacht design fun to work on?
Pascale Reymond: A superyacht is a form of transportation, moving sculpture, and a home at the same time… this is what makes the whole design process super exciting, as we create both the exterior and interior of most of our yachts.
MegayachtNews.com: What are the most exciting design developments you have witnessed in yachts in recent times?
Pascale Reymond: The size of the glass windows that can now be achieved without mullions. This really opens the yacht interior to its environment.
MegayachtNews.com: If you were able to verbally sketch your ideal client, what words would you use?
Pascale Reymond: Surprise me! Give me a very exciting and unusual design brief.
MegayachtNews.com: Despite the downturn in global finances, many in your line of work are reporting that there is light at the end of the tunnel. What is your view?
Pascale Reymond: I did not notice we were in a tunnel.
MegayachtNews.com: What is it about today’s market that you find surprising?
Pascale Reymond: Either clients are getting much younger, or I am getting older.
elizabeth
studying art history in Paris must have its effect, of course. but it is nothing without years of practice. it’s wonderful such people find how to realize their skills and knowledge.