Rémi Tessier

Rémi Tessier
Born (1965-01-02) January 2, 1965
Paris, France
OccupationInterior designer
Known forPrivate superyachts
Websitewww.remi-tessier.com

Rémi Tessier (born 1964) is a French interior designer specializing in private superyachts, luxury residences and aircraft interiors. Based in Paris, he founded his own studio in 1988 and has worked internationally since. His yacht projects include Parsifal III (2005), Nahlin (2010), Vava II (2012) and Grace E (2014).

Early life and training

Tessier was born in Paris in 1964 and grew up in Saint-Étienne.[1] He trained as a cabinetmaker and in 1979 joined the Compagnons du Devoir, the French guild of craftsmen, where he completed an eight-year apprenticeship, moving between workshops every six months.[2] He founded his own studio in 1988.[1][3]

Career

Tessier's early work focused on retail and residential interiors, including projects in Lyon, Geneva and Saint-Tropez.[1][3] In April 2002, he opened the Galerie Saint-Père at 19 rue des Saints-Pères in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, an exhibition space devoted to design and the visual arts.[4]

In 2000, Tessier relocated his studio to Paris and was commissioned to design the interior of the 52-metre ketch Squall, marking his transition toward yacht interior design.[3][5] Based in Paris, his studio has since designed interiors for more than twenty yachts, alongside residential projects in Europe and the United States and several private aircraft, including a Boeing 787 delivered in 2022. By that date, the studio employed about fifteen people and was working on roughly twenty projects simultaneously.[1]

In September 2025, Tessier was sued by a longtime client, Jan Koum, alleging a "pattern of predation" related to a series of projects Tessier did for Koum.[6][7] Koum alleged that Tessier misrepresented the value and origin of objects, and took kickbacks from third parties for items he procured.[8] The case was settled confidentially in February 2026.[9]

Notable yacht projects

Yacht Year Length Builder Awards
Parsifal III 2005 54 m (177 ft)[10] Perini Navi[10]
  • Sailing Yacht of the Year and Best Interior Design – Sail Yacht, World Superyacht Awards 2006[11]
  • Best Sailing Yacht Interior, ShowBoats Award 2006[11]
Nahlin[12] 2010 91 m (299 ft) John Brown & Company
Vava II[13] 2012 96 m (315 ft) Devonport Yachts
Grace E 2014 73 m (240 ft)[14] Perini Navi[14]
  • Motor Yacht of the Year, World Superyacht Awards 2015[15]
  • Baccarat Trophy for Interiors, Monaco Yacht Show 2014[15]
  • Best Interior Design (Motor Yacht over 500 GT), ShowBoats Design Awards 2015[15]
Bayesian[16] 2008 56 m (184 ft) Perini Navi
  • Best Interior, International Superyacht Society Awards 2008[16]

Bayesian, originally launched as Salute in February 2008, was a 56-metre Perini Navi sloop and Tessier's third collaboration with the Italian shipyard. The interior, by Tessier's studio, drew on a Japanese-influenced aesthetic.[17] The yacht sank during a storm off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, on 19 August 2024.[18]

Projects on land

Aside from yachts, Tessier has worked for the Maybourne Hotel Group in hospitality. He designed the glass penthouse at Claridge's in London, profiled by the Financial Times in 2024.[19] At The Emory, the Knightsbridge hotel designed by Richard Rogers that opened in 2024, Tessier designed the principal common spaces, including the abc kitchens restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the rooftop Bar 33 and Cigar Merchants, and the Surrenne wellness center.[19] He also designed the Cédric Grolet boutique and tea salon at The Berkeley, which opened on 14 February 2022.[20]

A private residential project in Palm Beach, Florida by Tessier was featured in Architectural Digest.[21] His design approach has also been featured in AD Magazine.[22]

Personal

He is married to Carole Tessier, also a designer.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Elkann, Alain (2022-06-13). "Rémi Tessier:«Mes clients souhaitent que leur bateau ne ressemble à aucun autre»". Les Échos (in French). Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  2. ↑ Brosch, Iris. ""My Clients Don't Have A Right To Put What They Want On Their Walls"". Boat International. No. October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Cordes, Michaela (2015-04-28). "The Artisan Designer". GG Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  4. ↑ "Galerie St Père — À propos". Slash Paris (in French). Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  5. ↑ Hager, Martin (2014). "Warum Eigner Rémi Tessier lieben". Boote. No. 6/2014.
  6. ↑ "One of the world's richest techie is in messy legal drama with his long-time interior designer who designed his 5 houses". The Times of India. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  7. ↑ Boyden, Katie. "WhatsApp founder accuses designer of supplying fake pashmina rugs for his yacht and mansions". Metro. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  8. ↑ Yabut, Ann. "WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum and Rémi Tessier reach settlement in dispute". SuperYacht Times. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  9. ↑ "Designer Remi Tessier and WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum reach settlement in dispute". BOAT International. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  10. 1 2 "On board with Kim Vibe-Petersen, owner of sailing yacht Parsifal III". Boat International. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  11. 1 2 Fleet, Yacht Charter. "PARSIFAL III Yacht Charter Price - Perini Navi Luxury Yacht Charter". www.yachtcharterfleet.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  12. ↑ Admin, Cms (2010-05-05). "Superyacht Nahlin undergoes sea trials in Ostsee". FX Design. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  13. ↑ James Orr (6 March 2012). "Largest British-built private yacht sets sail for Caribbean". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  14. 1 2 Tolson, Shaun (2015-05-01). "Say Good Night, Grace E". Robb Report. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
  15. 1 2 3 "Grace E by Perini Navi crowned Motor Yacht Of The Year at the Oscars Night of the yachting world | superyachtdigest". 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
  16. 1 2 Byrne, Diane M. (2008-11-26). "International Superyacht Society Bestows Awards". Megayacht News. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  17. ↑ "Perini Navi launches 56 metre cutter Salute". SYT. 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  18. ↑ Bulfon, Floriana (2025-03-31). "The Mysterious Sinking of the Bayesian". New Lines Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  19. 1 2 Heathcote, Edwin (2024-04-22). "Inside Richard Rogers' groundbreaking The Emory". Financial Times. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  20. ↑ Bosio, Alice (2021-12-13). "Cédric Grolet débarque à Londres avec ses gâteaux fleurs et ses fruits en trompe-l'œil". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  21. ↑ Winston, Fan (2016-12-05). "A Sweeping Palm Beach Home with Oceanfront Views and a Pretty Pastel Palette". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  22. ↑ Gleizes, Serge (2018-09-26). "Une maison habitée d'œuvres d'art à Miami". AD Magazine (in French). Retrieved 2026-05-12.
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