A New Chapter for the Girard Throw

Before it became a fixture in American homes, the Girard Throw Blanket had a job at 30,000 feet. When architect and designer Alexander Girard created it in the mid-1960s, it was part of his sweeping brand identity system for Braniff International Airways, which is still memorable today for its fashionable uniforms and unique branding. The blanket, a small piece of a much larger vision, has endured—even six decades later. Now, for the first time since it joined the Herman Miller assortment, the throw returns in three new patterns, drawn from the Girard archives and developed in collaboration with the designer’s grandchildren, Aleishall Girard Maxon and Kori Girard, co-creative directors of Girard Studio.

The revival was brought to life by Pendleton, the sixth-generation American mill whose blankets Girard himself collected. Jennifer Nield, Senior Vice President of Lifestyle Product at MillerKnoll, speaks to Surface about what it took to translate Girard’s archive into something new without losing what made it his in the first place.

Alexander Girard left behind an enormous, colorful body of work. How did you and the Girard Studio team narrow down which three patterns made the final cut?

We had no shortage of great options. In many ways, the challenge was editing rather than finding the right designs. As we worked through the concepts with Girard Studio, we were looking for patterns that would translate beautifully through Pendleton’s manufacturing process, but also patterns that represented different sides of Girard’s work. We didn’t want three versions of the same idea. The final selection includes stripes, checks, and plaids that each have their own personality, while still feeling connected as a collection. Together, they capture some of the breadth of Girard’s work and create a nice complement to the existing throws.

The Girard Throw has been part of the Herman Miller assortment for decades. What made this the right moment to finally introduce new patterns?

The Girard Throw has long been a cherished part of the Herman Miller collection and continues to resonate with customers today. As we looked for ways to evolve the offering, we were drawn back to Girard’s archive, where we revisited patterns that had never before been brought to life as throw blankets. The opportunity to reinterpret these designs was especially compelling, allowing us to introduce fresh expressions of Girard’s work while honoring the rich legacy and playful spirit that define the collection.

How did this project take shape? Was it something MillerKnoll initiated, or did it come from a conversation with Girard Studio?

It was very much a collaborative effort. We had been looking for opportunities to continue building on Girard’s legacy, and the throw felt like a natural place to start given the enduring popularity of the existing blankets. From there, we worked closely with Girard Studio to explore, review potential patterns, and identify designs that felt right for this collection. The process was highly collaborative from start to finish.

Girard was deeply inspired by the American Southwest and American folk art. How do you ensure new patterns feel authentically drawn from that source?

For us, it starts with our archive. These aren’t reinterpretations of Girard’s work. They’re rooted in designs that he created himself. Working closely with Girard Studio helps ensure that every decision remains faithful to his original vision. Our role is really to honor that work and bring it forward in a way that feels true to the source material.

Are there other Girard-designed products in the MillerKnoll catalog you’re hoping to revisit in a similar way?

Absolutely. The portfolio is incredibly rich, and there are still many opportunities to explore different aspects of his creative legacy. That said, we’re intentional about where we focus. We look for opportunities where we can create something meaningful for today’s customer.

What do you hope longtime Herman Miller collectors and new customers take away from seeing the throw in a new pattern for the first time?

For longtime collectors, we hope these designs feel like a fresh chapter in a story they already love. And for someone discovering Girard for the first time, we hope they’re inspired to dive a little deeper into his incredible body of work!