Marc Held’s Prisunic

Marc Held’s collaboration with Prisunic in 1966 marks a pivotal moment in the history of French design. Known for its motto “beauty at the price of ugly,” Prisunic was a trailblazing mail-order and department store that aimed to bring well-designed, modern furniture into the homes of everyday French families. Held’s contribution—a collection of molded fiberglass beds, tables, desks, and chairs—exemplified the brand’s mission to democratize design without sacrificing style or innovation.

Crafted in a milky-white plastic with soft, fluid lines, Held’s furniture reflected a new, liberated approach to living. The low-set silhouettes, modular elements, and playful forms stood in stark contrast to the heavy, traditional furnishings still common in postwar France. His pieces were light yet sturdy, sculptural yet functional. Embodying a sense of ease and spontaneity that echoed the cultural shifts of the time.

This collaboration helped elevate Held’s profile as a designer unafraid to push boundaries. The fiberglass collection became an emblem of modern, accessible design, and a powerful symbol of France’s transformation during the Trente Glorieuses. Around the same period, Held also opened L’Échoppe, a Parisian boutique where he showcased his own creations alongside work from Scandinavian and Italian contemporaries. His modular library, first exhibited there, was later reissued by Sentou in 2015. A testament to its enduring appeal.

Prisunic’s impact on design culture, recently celebrated in an exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, highlighted the role of department stores as platforms for bold, often subversive experimentation. Held’s work sits at the heart of this legacy. His fiberglass pieces remain icons of a period defined by optimism, innovation, and a belief that good design should be for everyone, not just the elite.