Nouveau souffle: What’s New? In Retail by Pauline Glaizal

Titled “Nouveau Souffle”, her installation in Hall 7 invites visitors into an immersive, sensory journey. At its core: a curated selection of vibrant pieces and emerging talents sourced directly from the fair itself. Here, a manifesto of design in motion takes shape, expressed through pragmatic shop the look compositions designed to support coherent and inspiring sourcing.

An eye shaped by experience

Pauline Glaizal’s expertise is, above all, defined by a discerning eye, but how was it shaped?
P.G.: Passionate about design, art, and decoration, I explored several professional paths before founding my own studio. I worked as a scenographer, set designer, TV contributor, and later as artistic director at Made in Design. My journey has been guided by curiosity and the people I’ve met along the way.
Through this experience, I refined my eye, developed a sensitivity to emerging forms, and learned to read the subtle signals in the creative world. Designers, decorators, artists, and other creatives, both established figures and rising talents, have all shaped my vision in motion, rooted in observation and intuition. This path has also allowed me to build an in-depth understanding of a wide ecosystem of brands, galleries, and design publishers.

Having also collaborated with the fashion world, do you identify a trend from that sphere that is now emerging in interior design?
P.G.: Yes, quiet luxury. I’m thinking in particular of the German designer Jil Sander, who perfectly embodies this aesthetic. Today, it has naturally extended into the world of interiors.

How has design evolved today? Are we now moving toward a more “inhabited” approach to design?
Words like “value” and “consciousness” have become more prominent. I see the emergence of a form of “accessible luxury,” behind which lies a story, a gesture, a way of thinking. It gives rise to objects that feel different, imbued with an added sense of soul.

Which retail trend do I aim to embody through the “Nouveau Souffle” space in September 2026?
Maison&Objet is a wonderful playground for discovering new brands and emerging talents. I didn’t want to limit myself to a single trend; instead, I aimed to create unexpected style dialogues, where a humble object can meet a masterpiece. Each shop the look arrangement is designed to inspire retailers, inviting them to mix, match, and make these combinations their own in their stores.

What vision and aspiration for retail does my space aim to convey?
Retail is evolving. Today, having a presence both in a physical store and online is a real advantage for the retailer. I believe in omnichannel now more than ever.
Moreover, the retailer has become a curator, an eye. Embodiment is essential.
Finally, to shape the identity of a brand or a store, there’s nothing quite like collaborations and inspiring ambassadors who translate your universe across social media and beyond.

How has the theme “Pulse in Motion” influenced or inspired my vision for this edition of the fair?
In Pulse in Motion, “Pulse” evokes rhythm, vibration, and heartbeat, while “In Motion” speaks to collective momentum, action, and shared energy.

“Nouveau Souffle” channels this spirit into a living, sensory retail experience where feeling matters as much as buying. Hybrid spaces by a new generation of designers blur the lines between nature, object, and emotion, turning every piece into a story. Between digital and physical, social media cues shape immersive, human-centered experiences, curated, meaningful, and deeply inspiring.