SAGA

Design Centre Ostend

Erik Deforce and his wife Helga Dewaele where pioneers in introducing Italian and Scandinavian Design in Flanders. Their store called SAGA Design Centre (1963 - 1970) was soon to become the major place for acquiring modernistic Design furniture, life-style objects and artworks.

SAGA began with a start-up in 1960 at the Wapenplein to Ostend where after 2 years it spread its wings in a much larger shop in the city center on the Adolf Buylstraat. The names and design companies that SAGA represented and distributed for the Flanders region show the innovative spirit and modernist vision they stood for. Many of the designs were created by a new up-and-coming generation of talented young Italian and Scandinavian designers many of which are now among the great classics of 20th century design. As can be seen in the photos below of the SAGA showroom, many top works from international designers, artists and firms where present such as Sormani, Poltronova, Knoll International, Archizoom, Superstudio, Gae Aulenti, Claudio Sallochi, Mario Bernini, Sergio Cammilli, Ettore Sottsass, Angelo Mangiarotti, Tobia Scarpa, Arne Jacobson, Piamanu Jules Dewaele, Amphora Ceramics, Yves Rhayé amongst many others.

As an interior designer Erik Deforce realized many interiors in apartments and modernistic villas in the region of Flanders. He also furnished modernistic interiors in collaboration with architects such as Arthur Degeyter and many others.