Mentor to last week’s Designer Desire focus, Raymond Savignac, Cassandre was an international graphic design and advertising heavyweight of the 20th century.
Cassandre – real name Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron – is best known for his playful Dubo Dubon Dubonnet artworks and his travel posters. They really give the feel of the time; the 1930s were all about modernism and the machine age – speed, sleekness and adventure. It was an epoch when international travel was becoming accessible to the masses.
He was responsible for creating the famous Yves St Laurent logo and scarf and playing card designs for Hermès. He also produced a number of typefaces including Acier Noir, Bifur, Greyhound and Peignot.
His works are in the permanent collections of MOMA and the V&A. His original posters can fetch as much as £30,000. However, a selection of prints are available from less than £10.00.
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