Charme also owns three other sexy furniture makers, Cassina, Cappellini and Thonet, and Ballantyne Scottish cashmere sweaters.

WSJ: Luca Cordero di Montezemolo

By the late '80s, Dixon was no longer playing punk outsider to the big boys of design, but rather working with the Italian giant Cappellini, for whom he designed the iconic S-Chair in 1991.

WSJ: Tom Dixon Makes Things Better

Collaborating on projects large and small, from sophisticated high-tech industrial designs for top manufacturers including Cappellini, Vitra, Kartell and Ligne Roset to limited editions for Paris's Galerie Kreo, the French duo are renowned for the elegant simplicity of their work, graced with humor and a signature poetic touch.

WSJ: ? La Module | 'Momentan��' at the Mus��e des Arts D��coratifs