A leading figure of postwar American design, Alexander Girard (1907 – 1993) had a wide-ranging oeuvre, working across the fields of furniture, exhibition, interior and graphic design.

Originally a student of architecture, Girard went on to specialise in textile design, creating numerous fabrics for the Herman Miller Company. He was heavily influenced by Folk Art, which he collected extensively, and drew upon this inspiration to create many of his notable designs.

After his death, his heirs donated the Girard archive to the Vitra Design Museum. Over the past several years, Vitra and the Vitra Design Museum have sought to revive Girard’s work. Included in Vitra’s growing product portfolio are his painted Wooden Dolls.