Any cigar smoker should know Pierre Legrain. This is why, if this man is a complete stranger to you, we are going to explain to you why his name is essential in the smoking world. Decryption.
From decorator to creator of the cigar case
Pierre Legrain, whose real name is Pierre-Emile Legrain, was born on October 2, 1889 in Levallois-Perret. Passionate about art, this man took drawing lessons at the Germain Pilon school during which he shared his apprenticeship with Robert Delaunay and Robert Bonfils. He became a draftsman for the weekly “Le Witness”, then met Paule Iribe, which earned him a collaboration with “La Baïonnette” in 1915. At the end of the war, Pierre Legrain produced some bookbindings and contributed to the layout of the apartment of the famous couturier Jacques Doucet.
His artistic flair was greatly appreciated by the couturier who then appointed him main decorator for his various buildings. One thing leading to another, Pierre Legrain was introduced to various personalities for whom he decorated prestigious villas. In 1922, he moved into his own studio near the Louvre. He fitted out several villas in his own name, such as that of Robert De Rothschild and Princess Grace of Greece or Viscount Charles de Noailles.
From decoration to the creation of cigarette cases
Pierre Legrain enjoys working with various materials in addition to wood. Leather is also one of his favorites. In 1929, after having created the “group of five” with Pierre Chareau, Raymond Templier, Jean Puiforcat and Dominique, Pierre Legrain created the Union of Modern Artists as well as the logo.
Pierre Legrain is a big fan of accessories and his creations prove it. He is also the inventor of the cigarette case and the cigar case. Its very first model was created in different colored leathers, oscillating between brown and red, with rather original geometric shapes for the time. Several different models were born under his expert hands, such as the case with chrome cover or the snakeskin one. Pierre Legrain is therefore quite simply the inventor of the cigarette and cigar case!
