Stepping into an interior designed by Sasha Bikoff means entering a sumptuous wonderland bursting with fearless colors, whimsical patterns and elegant couture. Yet beneath the curated antiques and luxury fabrics is Bikoff鈥檚 voracious engagement with historical eras, artistic traditions and cultural fluency鈥攁ll tailored to a myriad of settings and clients.
This signature approach that she calls 鈥渦napologetically maximal, imaginatively bold interiors鈥 () is at the heart of Bikoff鈥檚 eponymous design firm, and has been showcased in high-profile venues such as Art Basel and the illustrious Kips Bay Decorator Show House, with including Architectural Digest, Town and Country, New York Post and The New York Times. And she credits a formative study abroad at AUP as the foundation of her passion for interior design.
Bikoff鈥檚 creative perspective was shaped by a kaleidoscope of early influences. Her mother鈥攁 fashionista, Francophile, ballerina and pianist鈥攊nstilled in her a love for the arts; growing up in New York City with visits to Miami and travels abroad, including numerous trips to Paris, imbued her sensibilities with lush hues and multicultural vibrancy.
The gates opened, and what I was learning in the classroom took on this magic because I was living in it.
As an undergraduate, Bikoff trained in fine arts at George Washington University in Washington, DC, finding inspiration in the city鈥檚 museums, architecture and European character. But her studies came to life upon moving to Paris to study abroad for a year and a half at AUP. 鈥淭he gates opened, and what I was learning in the classroom took on this magic because I was living in it.鈥
Paris was Bikoff鈥檚 playground for the convergence of fashion, art and design. Living near the Mus茅e d鈥橭rsay, she walked down Rue de l'Universit茅 on her way to school, passing galleries, vintage stores, and antique dealers, and soaking in influences from Monet and Art Deco to 1960s French Space Age. 鈥淚t was the best time of my life: when I came into myself and found everything that I loved.鈥
Bikoff brought all these ideas back to her painting and drawing in the studio at AUP, where her unique vision emerged, driven by this eclecticism and her knowledge of ceramics and materials. 鈥淚t gives my work a little bit of edge. It feels collected and layered as opposed to a showroom with a floor plan.鈥 Across her work, she sees herself as a storyteller, with antiques playing an integral role. 鈥淭hey give a home a sense of intellect and worldliness,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the journey behind the pieces that make a room special鈥攏ot just how they look.鈥
After graduation, Bikoff returned to New York, gaining experience in the art business and client relations as a sales assistant at the prestigious Gagosian Gallery. But her creative instincts demanded an outlet, and in 2014, at just 25, she launched her design firm. Her first project was remodeling an apartment in The Dakota, the storied Gothic-style residence on the Upper West Side. As Bikoff says, 鈥渢he rest was history.鈥
Paris was Bikoff鈥檚 playground for the convergence of fashion, art and design. >
A pivotal moment for Bikoff came in 2019, when Versace invited her to collaborate, making her the first female American interior designer to work with a major European fashion brand.>
"It鈥檚 the journey behind the pieces that make a room special鈥攏ot just how they look.鈥>
A pivotal moment for Bikoff came in 2019, , making her the first female American interior designer to work with a major European fashion brand. She designed a collection for the lauded fashion house鈥攁 long-standing source of her inspiration鈥 for Milan鈥檚 annual Salone del Mobile, the world鈥檚 largest furniture trade fair. In its first time opening its doors to the public, Versace exhibited her work at its headquarters, Palazzo Via Ges霉. Bikoff鈥檚 fantastical collection drew upon Richard Avedon鈥檚 iconic image of supermodels in pastel metallic miniskirts and mohair crop tops. She blended Versace鈥檚 signature joyful neon with the electric palettes of Miami and other influences, including 18th-century French Rococo and 1970s French Modernism. Bikoff has gone on to partner with museums, restaurants and retail stores worldwide.
These days, Bikoff is writing a book鈥攑art coffee table book, and part 鈥渉ow-to.鈥 As a mother of two little boys, she also has her eye on the children鈥檚 design market, where she sees an opportunity for more uplifting and creative furniture. She jokes that maintaining a glamorous space with young children is 鈥渄efinitely a challenge鈥.鈥 At the end of the day, she believes 鈥渢hings are meant to be lived in.鈥
Professor Vanel specializes in mid-twentieth century art and has worked on a diverse range of artists and topics.
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