Double whammy of French design

France’s most beautiful and boundary-breaking trade show, Maison & Objet, and the first-ever Paris Design Week are just around the corner. We hear Air France still has tickets available…

The inspiration behind this year’s five-day Maison & Objet decor, deisgn and trends festival, held from 9–13 September, is “Singularité”.

VISI’s Annemarie Meintjes says the Inspirations Itinerary is her favourite part of the show. “Not only are the displays magnificent, but they set the trends that designers, buyers and consumers follow. It sort of puts everyone on the same route forward.”

Under the umbrella of “singularity”, expect unique designs that steer away from banal, mass-market uniformity and instead celebrate originality and an escape from the ordinary.

Stylist and curator Francois Bernard will discuss trends inspired by the sports field and automotive technologies. Vincent Grégoire, meanwhile, will speak about the rise of pairing, with design set to double up in all sorts of ways in years to come. Elizabeth Leriche will explain how real-world rarities are being transformed into objects of design and pleasure, looking at the one-of-a-kind art of singling out private space.

Paris Design Week, which will take place from 12–18 September, aims to support the international profile of design in the city. The birthplace of haute couture and fine craftsmanship, Paris draws about 8,000 creatives to its streets every year. Design Week looks set to topple this number with an expected 100,000 visitors to the first installment.

An invitation to revisit the city – from neighbourhood to neighbourhood – Paris Design Week is open to the general public. From fashion and food to furniture, soak in Parisian design culture while roaming the city’s streets.

Air France is your first stop, and remember to make sure your Visa is still valid.

More information: www.maison-objet.com, sfh@hauteperf.co.za, www.parisdesignweek.fr and www.airfrance.co.za