Berlin Based artist Etienne Salomé was born in Paris, on the 20th september 1980, where he also grew up. Since completing his master’s Degree at the Royal College of Art in London in 2005, he has received international acclaim for his designs and art works, and is without question one of the most exciting French Designer and Artist of his generation.
Following a career at Kia, Mazda and Renault, he is currently the Director of Interior Design and Assistant Chief Designer at Bugatti Automobiles. He has contributed to Bugatti Design for more than 10 years.
In 2007 Salomé was project manager for the collaboration of Bugatti and Hermès that gave birth to the limited edition Bugatti Veyron FBG.
Moving on, Salomé designed an exterior and interior concept of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, still the fastest production car in the world with 431,072 km/h, as well as the interior of the Bugatti 16C Galibier showcar and its numerous accessories, thus defining a true Bugatti experience for future customers and celebrate the 100 years anniversary of the Brand.
In the past decade the French designer not only contributed as a stylist, but also as an artist with his art works featured on the door panels of the Bugatti Vitesse Constantini as well as original hand sketched paintings on the leather applications of the Bugatti Vitesse Black-Bess. Elevating those cars to true Rolling canvases.
Salomé’ s background in art also led to the collaboration with Bernar Venet, the world renowned French artist, instantly elevating an engineering marvel to an authentic and unique piece of art. The interior embroidery and the exterior paint job are more about “Haute Couture” than Automotive Design.
In 2015 Salomé also took on the responsibility for the product department of Bugatti, including work with Parmigiani Fleurier and their latest Aerolithe Performance and Type 390 watches, Luxury Living with design of the complete furniture collection in 2016 including the famous new Cobra chair, PG Bikes with the design of their latest light weight bicycle, PJ yacht with the design of the supersport Niniette 66 feet yacht, while being appointed assistant Head of Design.
Etienne Salomé’s recent work includes the interior of the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo and Bugatti Chiron, presented at the 2015 Frankfurt and 2016 Geneva motor shows respectively.
Salome’s oeuvre has expanded to include sculpture and painting. For sculptural works, using materials such as milled solid blocs of aluminum, or metal 3D printing. his work in exhibited worldwide in all Bugatti Automobiles dealerships, Tapei, Tokyo, London, Milan, Munich, … representing the Art side of the brand.
In his latest 2D artwork, Salomé has developed a unique layered photographic images, the meaning of the work emerges slowly and experientially with the passage of time.
Salome’s “Atlantic” sculptures have been exhibited in Paris, Milan, Antwerp, Geneva, …Every year Salomé exhibit in Paris in February taking part to a collective exhibition during Retromobile.
Etienne is the father of one daughter and lives and work in Berlin, Germany.