Unmissable moments from the Autumn edition of Paris Design Week

With summer spirit slowly petering, Europe jolts into back-to-school mode with the flurry of Autumn fairs. The September edition of Paris Design Week is a highly anticipated player, kicking off with plenty of brands poised to launch at Maison et Objet fair. This season’s event also includes a focus on US rising talents, and a solo installation of this year’s Designer of the Year, Paris-based Laura Gonzalez. Meanwhile in town, new galleries bloom and group showcases play with perception – keep track of the Wallpaper* highlights here...

Raw Edges for Vitra

‘One of the key elements of the installation is our family's obsession with creating the Herringbone pattern by dipping every possible object in colourful dye at a 45 degrees,’ says Raw Edges about their exhibition for VitraHaus last year. The theme stems from the London-based designer’s Salone del Mobile 2016 exhibition that saw the duo experiment with the technique to create the Herringbone’s ambient effect. At Maison et Objet, they are launching an accessory collection with this pattern for the first time, a range of pillows, wooden trees and vessels, all taking on pigmented pattern in unique ways.

MaisonDentsu

New gallery on the block, Maison Dentsu are inaugurating with an installation on marble. Alluding to the old French expression ‘He (she) is well marbled!’ referencing someone’s persona that is inclined go away from the norms, they are inviting French designers including Ora Ito, Matthais Kiss, José Levy, Florence Louisy and Pierre Frey to showcase their works in intriguing marble tones from Peach blossom to Belgium Black. Maison Dentsu encourage guests to discover these eclectic pieces in the homely gallery aura that is described a ‘space for co-creation and think-tank.'

Trans: Forming Design from Poland

Polish design and manufacturing gets a moment in the spotlight at the fair. In a new initiative by Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, designers are being paired with manufacturers from the country in an effort to boost the industry’s design credentials. Ten collaborations will debut, marking a new moment for Polish-made and branded furniture. Read more about the initiative here.

Anima at Galerie Diurine

Inside Marcel Zelmanovitch’s woven haven, a new era of rugs launched with a minimal aesthetic in mind. Presented as art pieces against a collection of ceramics by Jean-François Delorme, the wool, linen, hemp or silk muted works hone in on the meticulous craft and materiality. ‘Everything lies and remains in material effects. AMINIMA, for us, means minimal ornamentation. But we could have called this collection “amaxima” as the sole purpose of any ornamentation is to enhance the subtle matter produced by our craftsmanship, as much and as best as possible,’ says Zelmanovitch.

Ann Demeulemeester for Serax

For the fashion designer’s first foray into homeware, she looked to the elements, earth, fire and water for experimental pieces for Belgian brand Serax. Launching at Maison et Objet, the elegant pieces include cutlery, glassware and artistic plates. Read about Demeulemeester’s inspiration behind the collection here.

Moire Mobile by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio

At Triode Design Gallery, Ladies & Gentlemen Studio presents its latest series of ethereal mobiles at its Visions / Perceptions exhibition. Made of perforated sheets of metal, coerced into different optical forms, moving with the air and overlapping to create an apparent kinetic energy. Made at their Brooklyn studio, these mobiles join new works by fellow US designers, Calico Wallpaper and John Hogan, bringing together a visual fantasy.

INFORMATION

Paris Design Week, 5-14 September; maison-objet.com