The 14th edition of Paris Design Week, which took place from September 5 to 14, as usual proudly showcased the latest contemporary creations throughout the capital.

Fourteen editions later, Paris Design Week establishes itself more and more each year as one of the most prestigious fairs on the global scene for all lovers of lifestyle, decoration, and design. Meanwhile, its parent fair, Maison&Objet, in Villepinte, celebrates its 30th anniversary. With the theme "Terra Cosmos," a vibrant alliance of technology and nature, it crowned Belgian designer Lionel Jadot "Designer of the Year" in September for his hospitality and innovative approach to sustainable design. Thus, in the wake of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the capital has been abuzz with ten days of creative activity.

The four major Parisian districts thus gave pride of place to poetry, beauty, inventiveness, and the trends of tomorrow. This edition focused on the fruitful relationship between interior designers and artisans who work together to create remarkable decors and designs. More than 400 participants unveiled their latest creations in 450 venues that continually explore the facets of creation and craftsmanship as a vibrant ecosystem.

DESIGN IN DECOR

The event transformed the City of Lights into an open-air museum with a myriad of exhibitions as part of the "Design in Courtyards" themed walk. At the Hôtel de Sully, British designer Paul Cocksedge explored the mirrors, reflections, and architecture of the space within the Orangerie and its gardens.
In the courtyard of the Hôtel d'Albret, headquarters of the cultural affairs department, Studio 5.5 presented the Muji Mini House, inspired by Japanese architecture, with a traditional garden converted into a space for growing food.
At the Hôtel de la Marine, designer and cabinetmaker Pierre Renart unveiled the installation "Escale" in the middle of the Cour de l'Intendant, conceived as "a contemplative pause, a sailor's rest." This sculptural piece of furniture is intended as a seat that invites reverie, drawing inspiration from the "diamond" glass roof designed by architect Hugh Dutton. The Uchronia studio also contributed to the space with an XXL bed in vibrant colors that reinterprets the four-poster bed, a quintessentially French style, here adorned with draperies and trimmings.

FUTURE TALENTS

The Factory at Paris Design Week has also become a prime marketplace for emerging global designers. A wide-ranging showcase of talent and the "MADE IN PORTUGAL naturally" lifestyle was displayed in one of the spaces of Galerie Joseph, an official partner. Fifty Portuguese companies presented home furnishings on Rue des Minimes, in a setting designed by interior architect Margarida Moura Simão.
This edition also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between France and China. The 850 square meters of the Galerie Joseph on rue de Turenne brought together some fifteen exhibitors showcasing the new Chinese aesthetic in "Chinese Way of Beauty." Meanwhile, the Espace Commines presented "COLLECTIBLE," by the Meet Met Met collective, allowing creators to break free from all constraints.
As for Maison&Objet, the trade fair honored the Rising Talents Awards. These awards recognize those under 35 who have created a studio within the last five years. In September, the focus shifts to the Nordic countries. Among the winners are four virtuosos: the Danish duo Frederik Gustav for their play on architectural proportions, the Swedish ceramicist Malin Ida Eriksson, the Finn Antrei Hartikainen who captures nature in motion, and the Norwegian Ali Shah Gallefoss whose design, more artistic than industrial, celebrates the joy of the unexpected.

LIGHT DESIGN

Let's turn to other highlights of this edition. The newspaper Le Monde celebrated its 80th anniversary with a collection of 80 light fixtures made from cardboard, newsprint, and recycled Tetra Pak packaging, numbered from 1944 to 2023. This series was designed by Claire Renard and Jean-Sébastien Blanc of Studio 5.5 in collaboration with the packaging company. Entitled "Le Monde à la Une" (Le Monde on the Front Page), it explores the newspaper's evolution through layouts, editorial cartoons, and photography. At the Galerie Joseph on Rue Froissart, the public could discover a light installation. This piece offered a journey around the world in 80 lamps, before being exhibited in the newspaper's offices during the Festival du Monde.
Elsewhere, Garabos unveiled its first furniture and lighting collection with the creation of Garabos Éditions. For Dialogue Temporel, the Bordeaux-based company, an expert in plasterwork and stucco for interior architecture and founded in 1960, collaborated with La Racine, a design and strategy studio, to highlight the malleability and inherent elegance of plaster. The result: sculptural pieces that explore new forms and textures while maintaining a dialogue between traditional techniques and contemporary aesthetics.
Further along, the Lodes brand presented its Oblò collection, designed by Italian designer Paola Navone of OTTO Studio. This series of lamps explores innovative possibilities for using Pyrex, capturing the very essence of marine design.

NEW ADDRESSES

Renault, another official partner, offered its "experience store" with MAISON5. The automobile thus intersected with art, fashion, sports, music, and gastronomy in this new 1,800-square-meter cultural space. In the spotlight? The electric Renault 5 E-Tech. This successor to the Renault 5, Super 5, and Renault 5 Turbo unveiled its world and lifestyle as a new city car.
And to conclude this edition, Paris Design Week welcomed new additions, such as Maison Diptyque. The home fragrance and candle brand opened its own space dedicated to art, blending boutique and cultural venue, curated by Sarah Andelman, creator of the concept store Colette. Artist and sculptor Cyril Lancelin filled over 400 square meters with his monumental pop art universe. The Pradier-Jeauneau duo also officially opened their first gallery on rue de Verneuil, featuring a selection of modern furniture designed by Sandra Benhamou.

This 14th edition of Paris Design Week continued to offer the best in design advancements, inviting enthusiasts to a grand tour of discoveries throughout the capital.

PARIS DESIGN WEEK
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