The Grey Flannel Prince

The living room in Angelo Donghia’s Key West house that he purchased in the mid 1970s. The bamboo furniture and toga-wrapped chairs reflects his refined but relaxed style 

An apartment Donghia designed in New York in the early 1980s. The innovative placement of lighting that reflects up onto the silver foil ceiling, creates a sense of openness. He also used grey flannel upholstery on the sofas – a Donghia trademark

A Manhattan Duplex that he designed for Ralph Lauren in the early 1980s. The brief was to achieve a peaceful recluse for Lauren to come home to in order to clear his mind after a busy day. To achieve this Donghia applied a neutral palette with pristine surfaces and a minimal design layout 

Mary Tyler Moore’s much-loved dining room that Donghia designed in the early 1980s. She particularly loved Donghia’s crystal-beaded chandelier 

Large-scale canvases by Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero feature in a bedroom Donghia designed in 1981

A sophisticated East Side Manhattan town house Donghia purchased in 1968 in which he decorated with deep emerald walls, white moldings, bleached floors and silver ceilings

Donghia’s Townhouse bedroom that in winter he would use as a lounge room and entertain guests in due it of its warm and cozy appeal

Just as Angelo Donghia’s work displayed harmonious composition, he himself was a man of well-balanced talents. He had a strong mind for business and an artful eye for style. Along with his unprecedented success as an Interior designer, Donghia was the first designer to put his name to a signature bedding and furniture collection.

Donghia earned his somewhat unusual sobriquet “The grey flannel prince” by innovatively transforming the iconic grey flannel suit into wall coverings and upholstery. His other design innovations included shiny lacquered walls, silver foil ceilings and generously proportioned furniture. Donghia’s plump overly stuffed cushions and sofas exuded luxury and comfort and played a significant role in his success.

Donghia’s designs were invariably eclectic, energetic and (for the most part) colourful. He provided his clients with comfortable, stylish and sophisticated interiors as well as his trademark design pieces. 


As Donghia’s popularity increased his client list grew to include Liza Minelli, Donald and Ivana Trump, Diana Ross, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Mary Tyler Moore (his corporate list was equally impressive).

As the Creative Director of Donghia, Chuck Chewning is a devoted advocate of Donghia’s design legacy, channeling creative direction in honor of his design philosophy and aesthetic. Of course it isn’t just Donghia’s innovative vision that is the driver here, Chewning has an ardent palate and talent for product design. He also has international experience in luxury design and a background in historic preservation.

So rest assured, all of you die-hard Angelo Donghia fans, Chuck Chewing is a skilled visionary and will continue to hold Donghias torch intrinsically alight!

x katie

www.donghia.com