Valerian Rybar
Valerian Stux Rybar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Sarajevo, Yugoslavia |
| Died | June 9, 1990 (aged 70) Sutton Place, Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Interior designer |
| Known for | Lavish and luxurious interior design; "world's most expensive decorator" (1972) |
Valerian Stux Rybar (also known as Stux-Rybar; born 17 June 1919 – died 9 June 1990) was a prominent American interior designer acclaimed for his lavish and luxurious aesthetic. In 1972, he was recognized as the "world's most expensive decorator."
Early life
Born on 17 June 1919 in Sarajevo, then part of Yugoslavia, Rybar was the son of Geza Stux-Rybar, a Hungarian banker who survived the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. His mother, Vilma von Kalman (1892–1974), hailed from Vienna. He received his education in Vienna and subsequently attended law school in Sweden before the outbreak of World War II. Rybar served in Dubrovnik and eventually moved to New York, traveling on a Swedish passport.
Career
Rybar's professional journey began with an apprenticeship at New York's Lord & Taylor, but he soon transitioned to creating retail interiors for Elizabeth Arden after she admired a headdress he designed for an opera performer.
His portfolio included elite clients such as Nicholas DuPont, Samuel Newhouse, Pierre Schlumberger, Christina Onassis, Stavros Niarchos, Guy and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, along with prestigious establishments like Delmonico’s Roman Room and the Plaza Hotel in New York. He also contributed to luxury dining spaces in Las Vegas and undertook renovations of New York hotels. Many furnishings and rugs were personally crafted by Rybar, who chose sumptuous fabrics like satin woven with gold thread and rich red velvet, collaborating with skilled artisans worldwide.
One of his notable projects was an 18-month-long design effort for a ball hosted by Antenor Patiño, attended by 1,000 guests, which was celebrated as "the most significant since World War II and possibly the most extravagant party of the century."
In 1972, Rybar was honored with the designation "world's most expensive decorator." Alongside Jean-Francois Daigre, he established the Valerian Rybar & Daigre Design Corporation operating in both New York and Paris. His distinctive style often featured elements such as mirrors and steel.
In September 2007, Christie's auctioned off European furniture and artworks from a San Francisco residence designed by Rybar and Daigre, achieving a total of $3.9 million.
Personal life
On 19 December 1956, Rybar wed Aileen Plunket née Guinness, one of the famed "Guinness Golden Girls." The couple resided at the expansive 570-acre Luttrellstown Castle estate near Dublin, where they hosted opulent gatherings attended by figures including the Duchess of Windsor. Their marriage ended in separation in 1965, reportedly because Rybar had become "an extravagance even she could not afford."
Following this, Rybar shared his life with long-time partner Jean-Francois Daigre, who passed away in Paris in 1992 due to an AIDS-related illness.
Rybar’s six-room apartment located in Manhattan’s Sutton Place was distinguished by its bold use of only three colors: coral, brown, and silver. The dining area displayed 400 faux books inscribed with titles reflecting episodes from his life, such as International Boredom, referencing his marriage to Guinness. Coral velvet adorned the walls while custom features included a silver-gray mink rug designed by Oscar de la Renta.
In 1977, The Washington Post depicted Rybar’s dressing room as meticulously organized, containing 150 shirts, 40 beige suits suited for different seasons, 100 belts, and a versatile steel banquette covered with handpainted ponyskin that functioned as a massage table, ironing board, or packing station. The publication noted that "If Valerian Rybar did not exist, he could never have been invented."
Rybar passed away due to prostate cancer at his home in Sutton Place on 9 June 1990.