With an eye for history and a flair for the unexpected, Laura Gonzalez transforms interiors into richly imagined worlds—and her debut collection for Schumacher takes you along for the ride. The Paris-based designer has earned international acclaim for creating spaces that tell a story: sophisticated, layered interiors in which neoclassical frameworks are deftly threaded with eclectic global influences, exquisitely textured textiles, patterns upon patterns, and fanciful furnishings of her own design. Her signature style is instantly recognizable, from the newly opened New York outpost of the Printemps department store to hotels and retail spaces from Rome to China to Saint-Tropez, in addition to private residences across the globe. So it’s only fitting that her brand-new designs for Schumacher reflect her cosmopolitan worldview.
“This collection is truly a global journey,” Gonzalez says, “and each design reflects a different stop along the way, blending memories, artistry, and local traditions: India’s florals and block prints, Parisian elegance, and the energy of New York.” Together, these sumptuously patterned textiles and richly detailed wallcoverings capture Gonzalez’s vision at its most distinctive: globally influenced, utterly original, and nothing short of spectacular.
Designer Laura Gonzalez photographed in New York with two captivating patterns from her debut Schumacher collaboration: Hallucination, a rhythmic stripe shown on a whimsical chair from Gonzalez’s own line, and Jaipur Fantaisie, a fanciful woven floral with a luxurious quilted effect.
ANTOINE WAGNER
In New York, Gonzalez drew inspiration from the city’s “vibrancy and bold spirit, with an edge that’s present in fearless color combinations and modern twists,” the designer explains. This dynamism has been channeled into two vivid stripes: Hallucination and Pipe Illusion. Both reinterpret a classic motif with her signature cosmopolitan spin, rendered in sophisticated tone-on-tone hues enlivened by subtle irregularities. They demonstrate how Gonzalez always finds a way to make even the most familiar patterns feel utterly fresh.
Another Gonzalez-designed chair gets a double dose of pattern care of two complementary blues: Bombay Rainbow linen on the chair back, and Pipe Illusion épinglé on the seat.
MARCO GALLOWAY
Gonzalez’s Bangalore Imagination, a lively composition of paisley-like feathers and chevron stripes, was inspired by traditional Indian block prints.
MARCO GALLOWAY
Eastern influences abound in the collection, notably the “exuberance, craftsmanship, and rich patterns of India,” Gonzalez says. Her colorful and sophisticated designs, particularly Bangalore Imagination and Bombay Rainbow, echo traditional Indian motifs and block prints. The bold color choices—think bright coral, marigold, celadon—and fanciful patterns make these Indian-inspired fabrics and wallcoverings distinctly her own, and anything but traditional. Jaipur Fantaisie, an enchanting, sumptuous woven floral, pays homage to the beauty and romance of Mughal palaces, while Roman Reverie, an intoxicating wavy stripe, was inspired by a scarf Gonzalez’s mother once brought home from India. “The undulating stripes are a visual memory of movement and warmth,” she says, and it’s perhaps the personal nature of the design that makes it her favorite.
A medley of mesmerizing prints and wovens, clockwise from top right: Jaipur Fantaisie in Aubergine, Roman Reverie in Gold & Rose, Bangalore Imagination in Bleu, Pipe Illusion in Papaya, Roman Reverie in Teal & Leaf and Gold & Rose, Bangalore Imagination in Rouge, Hallucination in Mimosa, and Bombay Rainbow in Mimosa.
MARCO GALLOWAY
“Poetry in every detail. I believe even the smallest touch should carry meaning, craftsmanship, and beauty.”
From left: Pipe Illusion in Papaya, Hallucination in Mimosa, Roman Reverie in Teal & Leaf and Gold & Rose, Bombay Rainbow in Mimosa, Jaipur Fantaisie in Aubergine, and Bangalore Imagination in Rouge.
MARCO GALLOWAY
A true warp print, Roman Reverie features large-scale wavy stripes with the softly blurred edges characteristic of traditional ikat fabrics.
MARCO GALLOWAY
Gonzalez’s collection lends itself beautifully to statement-making accessories, with readymade pillows available in Lian Dream and Hallucination.
MARCO GALLOWAY
Paris, Gonzalez’s beloved home, is the crux of this visionary journey, offering a sense of balance and polish. “Paris lends structure, romance, and refinement,” the designer says, allowing her work to feel both spirited and sophisticated, eclectic and unmistakably chic. That duality is expressed in Vagary Vines, a fabric and wallpaper adorned with delicate winding branches, blooms, and buds embellished with intricate embroidery, and in Lian Dream, a lush, large-scale jacquard in which lotus flowers float among aqueous ripples.
Her advice for bringing these fabulous new designs into your own projects? “Embrace joy!” Gonzalez enthuses. “Don’t be afraid of color or mixing patterns.” New York, India, Paris: According to Laura Gonzalez, the world is yours.
