Colin Gleadell nominates the Lalannes as artist of the year for the spectacular rise of their work on the auction market. Here in New York, there has been real excitement about the pair of designers, especially since Paul Kasmin organized a show of their work on Park Ave. But one assumes Kasmin is having the same sourcing problems as his London counterpart, Ben Brown, that Gleadell discusses here:

It was the Yves Saint Laurent sale in Paris that really put them on the map. The designer had been a major patron and his commissions made spectacular prices; a cocktail bar by Francois-Xavier made €2.8 million. Since then 180 works by the Lalannes have hit the auction block, mainly in Paris, London and New York. The most recent design sales at Christie’s in New York this month saw more than 50 examples of their work sell. A small lamb sculpture, for instance, brought $60,000, or twice the retail price from the galleries. London dealer Ben Brown, who represents the Lalannes (Francois-Xavier died earlier this year, but they are still judged as a couple) says that auction prices have risen because demand has outstripped supply. Claude is producing less now and is focused on a museum show in Paris next month, so Brown has to compete with the multi-millionaires who buy their work at auction to replenish his stock.

Market News (Telegraph)