Frank Gehry, the celebrated architect who passed away Friday at age 96, left an indelible mark on architecture, design, and even the fashion world. Known for his innovative forms and deconstructivist style, Gehry maintained close ties with luxury brands, notably collaborating with Bernard Arnault and the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group on projects ranging from museums to flagship stores.
Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, paid tribute to Gehry, calling him a “dear friend” and praising their long-standing creative partnership. “He will remain a genius of lightness, transparency, and grace,” Arnault said, highlighting Gehry’s unique ability to shape materials and space with unprecedented artistry.
Gehry’s most prominent collaboration with LVMH is the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, which opened in 2014 and has since hosted exhibitions featuring artists like Mark Rothko, David Hockney, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Gerhard Richter. Gehry also designed limited-edition handbags, fragrance bottles, and store windows for Louis Vuitton, demonstrating how his architectural creativity translated into luxury retail.
Born Frank Owen Goldberg in Toronto, Gehry moved to Los Angeles in 1947. After studying architecture at the University of Southern California and urban planning at Harvard, he launched his own practice in 1962. Early works included the renovation of his Santa Monica home using unconventional materials, and the design of Santa Monica Place, a mall that later became an open-air shopping center.
Among his most iconic projects are the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and the IAC headquarters in New York City. Gehry’s designs often drew inspiration from everyday objects and experiences, including fish, which became a recurring motif.
Beyond architecture, Gehry collaborated with Tiffany & Co. and worked on smaller-scale projects that translated his architectural language into jewelry, handbags, and other luxury items. His work with LVMH continued up to his final years, including an 82,000-square-foot flagship for Louis Vuitton in Beverly Hills and plans for a cultural center near the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Gehry’s contributions earned him over 100 awards, including the Pritzker Prize, National Medal of Arts, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Commandeur of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. Friends and collaborators remember him not only as a design visionary but also as a mentor, guiding younger architects and creative partners with a fatherly care.
At the time of his passing, Gehry was deeply involved with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a project featuring a striking steel-tube facade, slated to open next year. His legacy spans museums, homes, concert halls, retail spaces, and luxury items—an enduring testament to a life devoted to innovation, artistry, and design.