That’s Paris!

All things fun. Fun was on show XXL-style at Philipp Plein’s stand, with the German fashion designer showcasing a home collection that was certainly impossible to miss. There were cascading Murano glass chandeliers, cushions and rugs flaunting whimsical motifs, coffee tables and palm trees whose gold- and chrome-plated steel finish echoed the clothing rail exhibiting the brand’s designer clothes, a profusion of leopard prints and ostrich leather details, a jungle of jazzy flowers and deep-buttoned sofas with lustworthy silhouettes. The designer’s creative inspiration had clearly rippled out beyond the walls of the home, too, with the leopard print-emblazoned Rolls Royce complete with crisp, white leather seats no doubt heading off to be parked up in a coordinating garage on leaving the trade fair’s carpeted hall. 

All things French. Magnificent materials, one-off pieces, luxury, boldness, elegance: the four design talents invited to set up stands in the So French zone truly captured the ambition of all the exhibitors within the Signature show sector, where their creations not only took centre stage but also offered an exciting insight into contemporary French design. The four designers regularly collaborate with some of France’s most iconic design houses, including Roche Bobois, Pierre Frey, Philippe Hurel, Duvivier, Lalique and La boîte concept, as well as working on their own self-produced pieces. This new flurry of creativity was expressed through Bina Baitel’s whimsical, narrative and poetic pieces, Charlotte Juillard’s subtle blend of materials and effortlessly elegant silhouettes, the spectacular simplicity of Pierre Gonalons’ collection, and Samuel Accoceberry’s graphic and visionary fusions of expertise.

All things new. Maison&Objet continues to serve as the springboard for up-and-coming brands. Despite only having a fledgling Instagram account and setting up a website just two days before being officially introduced to the public at the Parisian trade fair, Our Society came to the event armed with a highly polished collection. Benches, stools, tables, chairs, pendant lights and wall lights were all showcased to perfection with their clean lines and bold hues sitting beautifully against the thick carpet and standing proud against the matte, metallic backdrop of the brand’s simple yet effective stand. The brains behind this new Danish design house come from some of the country’s leading fashion and design labels (House of Finn Juhl, Samsøe&Samsøe), and have elected to work with some highly promising design talents including their compatriot Kasper Kyster, French design duo LeclercqViallet, and Berlin’s Studio Ö. 

 
All things timeless. Sitting in juxtaposition to the flamboyancy showcased by the likes of Philipp Plein, firms whose creations blend the useful with the agreeable were also omnipresent at the event. Redecker has never missed a single edition of the trade fair, present come what may with its array of household musts: brushes, brooms and kitchen utensils, perfect for cleaning parquet floors or chasing dust from electronic devices. It may have been founded 83 years ago, but the firm is now more current than ever with its attractive, sustainable products crafted from natural materials that shine when thrust into the spotlight. Its ostrich feather dusters were, indeed, showcased with the utmost elegance when they recently featured as part of the glamorous window display at the Hermès store in the French capital’s rue de Faubourg Saint Honoré. 

Asia’s return to Paris. At Uchino’s stand, it was a Japanese manager from the Tokyo-based bathroom linen and interiors firm who greeted visitors with a beaming smile hidden beneath his mask. At long last. The firm had never missed a single edition of the Parisian trade fair until the Covid pandemic hit, leading to the suspension of international flights. After a long two-year wait, the restrictions were finally lifted a matter of days before September’s Maison&Objet opened its doors. It was consequently with newfound enthusiasm that the exceptionally soft and comfortable towels, bathrobes, bath mats and pyjamas made from patented technical materials were presented once again in the capital. 

The sustainable future… is what lies ahead, and it was, indeed, there for all to see in the Future on Stage zone, where the three firms hand-picked by a jury of industry professionals were the first to benefit from the trade fair’s brand-new springboard for rising talents. The zone featured colourful outdoor furnishings from Aluvy, a brand that is turning the outdoor furnishings sector on its head with recyclable products that are not only made in France but, above all, made on-demand. It also shone a light on furnishings and accessories from German firm LucyBalu, whose products for our furry feline friends take pet cats’ wellness to a whole new level, promoting their personal development. Aesthetically alluring acoustic materials made from recycled textiles took centre stage, too, designed by Pierreplume® for architecture and design. Basically, just like the trade fair, this particular zone already had everyone’s eyes fixed firmly forward.