N'Cho-Allepot, Hughes
(Hughes N'Cho-Allepot Home)
 For Hughes N'Cho-Allepot, a penchant for unpretentious trappings of luxury inspired a thoroughly modern approach to shaping the interior landscape, while awakening a born affinity with Neo-classic design. A native of Africa's Ivory Coast and grandson of an African Chief, he moved with his family to Paris at age five. There, he grew up relishing dreams of entering the family business, law. Although certain aspects were stimulating, he nonetheless found law school too restrictive and after two years decided to broaden his focus by shifting his studies towards Political Science. He enrolled in the University Paris VIII and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. But after six years of university life, N'Cho-Allepot yearned for a more worldly enlightenment.
A move to New York in 1999 would ultimately rouse N'Cho-Allepot's more creative ambitions when he found himself in need of furnishings for his first apartment in Brooklyn. A decided minimalist, he lived there for six months with little more than a mattress and stereo, before setting out in search of artful, yet uncomplicated pieces to outfit the modest, one-bedroom dwelling. But the search proved only to whet a desire to create his own furniture. He felt he could improve on the design and quality of virtually all the major pieces he had considered buying. He wanted his furniture to be unique: beautifully designed and organic in inspiration, but totally unobtrusive.
Hughes N'Cho-Allepot's first design, lovingly manufactured in the tiny kitchen of his Brooklyn apartment, was a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) masterpiece. It was a striking, yet simplistic, platform bed made a foot larger than the mattress, allowing room for lamps and clock and books without the need for a nightstand. Over the next two years, he was duplicating his designs for friends.s for friends. Spurred on by word-of-mouth acclaim, N'Cho-Allepot went to produce customized renditions for Panache French Bistro, Tracy Martin Spa, and recently an apartment-loft in the Chelsea Mercantile.
In May 2004, N'Cho-Allepot introduced his first collection; "Origin" at the ICFF, which was well received. "Origin" features furniture and items handcrafted in rich, exotic woods, such as African Padauk, Ebony Macassar, and the use of luxurious fabrics as silk velvet, and ultrasuede. His second line, "Epressions Blanche - The White Collection" incorporates white washed oakm with supple white leather, and shagreen. In complement to his furniture line, N'Cho-Allepot has developed an exquisite accessory line, including: table dressings made out of silk shantung, handwoven linen, exotic placemats, silk pillows, and glass coasters to name a few. The sleek minimalism of N'Cho-Allepot designs, and his broad vision of Home as a santuary of well being, is an expression of his own quest, a search for balance. "In everyone lives a King, indulge yourself."
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Quick Facts
Type(s):
Furniture Designer
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Artist Website:
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