As President & CEO of Maurice Villency Inc., Manhattan’s legendary contemporary furniture brand, Eric Villency knows design.  Eric has led the company’s re-branding effort, repositioning the brand as a fashion forward contemporary design force. In 2001 Eric was awarded the FIT “All Star Salute” award recognizing leaders in design and fashion. In 2002, Eric oversaw the launch of the dramatic Maurice Villency flagship store, located on 57th street in midtown Manhattan, and launched the company’s first Home Accessories collection. In 2006, Eric launched “Villency Atelier”, a workshop dedicated to custom design and fabrication for design professionals.   In 2007, Eric was named the recipient of the IFDA “design Industry” award. 

In addition to his responsibilities at Maurice Villency, Eric is a regular contributor on NBC’s Today discussing design trends and topics.  In Addition, Eric has appeared on Good Morning America, The Tyra Banks show, HGTV, and was the host of the Fine Living Channel’s iDesign.  In August 2007, Eric was appointed the Style/Design contributing editor for Best Life Magazine, a Rodale Publication.  Additionally, he has contributed to Departures Magazine.  Eric also enjoys learning about and supporting new designers in many different industries, especially fashion and architecture. He has lectured at FIT and the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Eric (a former model) maintains a deep connection to the fashion world and has pioneered the Villency Emerging Fashion Fund. Under Eric’s leadership, the fund has established partnerships with cutting-edge, emerging fashion designers including Proenza Schouler, Derek Lam, Imitation of Christ, Ruffian, and Erin Featherston.   In 2007, Eric launched his own fashion label “Restoration Of the Monarchy”. 

 Well versed in the traditions of European design, Eric believes strongly in the fundamentals of European craftsmanship. He values the importance of self-evident quality, the power of the sensory experience, attention to detail, and the marriage of form and function.  Eric has worked on many notable design projects including: The Rudy Giuliani Urgent Care Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Furniture and design concepts for The Bryant Park Hotel & The New Delta Crown Lounge in Miami.

According to Eric, “The design world today is, above all, about the convergence of diverse disciplines.  Today, design must take into account new technologies and fabrication methods. Ease of use, attractive packaging, and a pleasing form are not just desirable, they are expected.” Eric is, and will always be, passionate about design, and especially about raising design consciousness in the U.S. 

Eric currently resides in New York City with his wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle and their son, Ronan.