Design Diary: Notes from Paris
Recently, the city of lights was illuminated with diverse perspectives on contemporary design for Paris Design Week— all as stylish and chic as the Parisians themselves. There is so much to say about the resilience of the creative spirit. It is a tool for change, it connects and galvanises people and communities, giving their newt hought, inspiration and ideals to aspire to. Nowhere else is it as evident as it is in Paris, where liberty and equality are guiding lights to everything French.
Their design culture too, reflects their egalitarian and diverse community where emerging designers rub shoulders with industry giants and singular name personalities nurture and uplift the next generation ofd esigners. Here are someof the works that highlight Paris’ creativity ...
ALLEGORIES AT HOTEL DE SOUBISE
Presented at the one of themost beautiful and historic Parisian mansions, celebrated design Pierre Gonalons’ solo exhibition showcased about 20 unreleased contemporary pieces, that drew inspiration fromthe decorative arts movement. In a compelling conversation with their 18th century scene, the designer’s collaborations with contemporary makers such as Tai Ping, Emauxde Longwy, Masiero and Mineral Expertise feel perfectly at ease and beautifully demonstrated the French way with design, where modernity and tradition coexists with utter ease.
PREMIER ACT BY TRISTANAUER
It is a rare feat to cross- collaborate with multiple partners and still achieve harmony— both in the process and the end result. In a quest for such a true collaboration, designer Tristan Auer sought out furniture publisher Red Edition and the luxury fabrics atelier Lelièvre Paris to partner with him on a
newbody of work thatwas ultimately titled Premier Acte. Inspired by the decadence of Parisian theatres, the capsule furniture collection features sofas, ottomans, armchairs and coffee tables, all brimming with couture details that praise French savoir faire.
INDIA MAHDAVI’S COLOURFUL STOOLS
Manufacture des Emauxde Longwy represent over two centuries of French know- how. In Saint- Germain- des- Pres, they presented works by a diverse group of creatives that included photographer Nicolas Blandin and artist Michael Cailloux. Also part of the presentation for renowned designer India Mahdavi with her colourful Apple Blossom Bishop stool in ceramic by Emauxde Longwy. These stools, not only represent Emauxde Longwy’s mastery over ceramic arts, but also underscore the revival of traditional techniques that are nowbeing applied to contemporary design.
MAISON POUENAT: THE NEW COLLECTION
Their portfolio of collaborators includes the likes of Sybille de Margerie, Damien LangloisMeurinne, Fracois Champsaur, Rodolphe Parente and Stephane Parmentier and others. During Paris Design Week 2020, Maison Pouenat, the French Maison founded in 1880 launched their first collection with Humbert & Poyet. Titled Metamorphosis, the collection is inspired by the duo’s love for the Art Deco movement and designs from the 1950s and 1970s.
VIADUC DES ARTS
In celebration of their 25th anniversary this year, Viaduc des Arts presented the exhibition Matiere a design, showcasing contemporary work by creatives dabbling in an array ofm aterials— fromwood and bronze, to mosaics— at the Institut National des Metiers d’Art. Featured here is the Rope table lamp in bronze by designer Dan Yeffet for Collection Particulière; its body handcrafted in metal in a coiled design that authentically imitates the tactility of rope.
PARIS DESIGN FACTORY
La Galerie Joseph Paris Design Factory has established an enviable reputation as one of Europe’s foremost incubators of young design talent; providing emerging designers a platform of visibility, aswell as patronage, that will catapult them to the next stage of their careers. Featuring a selection of newworks designed by recently graduated designers and waiting to be fabricated, the ‘ factory’ also presented end- of- year projects of graduates from Ensci Les Ateliers, Ens AD, ESAD in Reims aswell as from Ecole Boulle, Duperré and Estienne, the schools of the City of Paris.