Taking place semiannually, this year’s January edition of Maison et Objet was hosted at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre. The theme of the event, defined as “Take Care!”, was represented in various ways and highlighted in exhibitions and special feature areas across the tradeshow.
Those who were lucky enough to attend the event will still be in awe of the incredible selection of installations, brands and spaces that were on offer, bringing together the international design, home decor and lifestyle community. But don’t worry, if you weren’t able to make this January’s edition, we’ve selected some of the show’s best highlights to keep you looped in.
First things first, let’s take a deeper look at the motivation and inspiration behind January’s event theme.
Maison et Objet “Take Care!” theme
January’s theme focused on four cornerstones of care, which were taking care of yourself, taking care of nature, taking care of and showing an interest in others, and taking care of our heritage and expertise.
These forward-focused values shined through during the event, nodding to the need for individuals to stand up for their convictions and passions at a time in which our world is experiencing significant social, economic and political upheaval. The theme also recognised how the role of the consumer is shifting as people are more invested in the way they interact with brands and how the companies they engage with reflect their identities and values as human beings.
“Take Care!” also reflects how brands are being encouraged to be increasingly transparent, inclusive and environmentally responsible in the way they connect with consumers. Developed to challenge conventional beauty in favour of ethical goodness, the Maison et Objet event this year reflected a pivotal change that is taking place in the mindsets of consumers and corporations around the world.
Vincent Grégoire, Creative Director at the NellyRodi design consultancy, commented on this year’s theme in a recent press release:
“When deciding on our themes, taking a close look at modern-day society always serves as our starting point. Today, the second we step outside, we are hit with cultural, environmental and identity issues. Society is craving new models, and that is something that brands can deliver, providing solutions that target the environment, safeguard expertise, or encourage us all to care for others or focus on our well-being. What we are interested in is the rising voices that are picking up that gauntlet. The under-25s that make Generation Z are impatiently waiting for something to be done. Today, a new set of ethics are dictating the type of consumer activity we are seeing.”
Key Maison et Objet January 2023 highlights
There were so many highlights of January’s edition of Maison et Objet that it was difficult to select just a few. But we’ve done our best! Here are some of the exhibitions and events we enjoyed most throughout the show.
Designer of the Year exhibition
The Designer of the Year exhibition took place in Hall 7, where it was announced that January’s recipient of Maison et Objet’s prestigious award was Jerusalem-born and Parisian-based Raphaël Navot. The non-industrial designer showcased The Apothem Lounge, an immersive installation designed to “portray a visual emotion”. Attendees were in awe of the designer’s use of light and texture to create one of the event’s most memorable experiences.
Rising Talent Awards
Each year, the Rising Talents Awards at Maison et Objet is dedicated to highlighting the work of emerging designers from selected countries. January focused on Spain, rather fitting seeing as in 2022, Valencia was named World Design Capital. This year’s jury of industry professionals exhibited works by Jaime Hayon, Álvaro Matías, Belén Moneo, Inma Bermúdez, Xavier Franquesa, and Aude Tahon. The common values underpinning these diverse designers are creativity and passion, commitment and sustainability, and quality and innovation.
The “What’s New?” spaces
January’s edition of Maison et Objet introduced three new spaces to breathe new air into the tradeshow.
Grounded by François Bernard, located in Hall 2, offered the designer’s interpretation of this year’s “Take Care!” theme as he focused on the relationship between raw materials and sensory pleasure. In Hall 4, François Delclaux emphasised the need for humans to slow down, conveyed through his Slow Hospitality space. Attendees were invited to board the designer’s night train, through which they discovered three themed destinations reflecting a desirable future. Lastly, in Hall 7, Elizabeth Leriche invited guests to stop and take a breath with her In the Air space.
Future On Stage
One of the things Maison et Objet prides itself on is its reputation as a revealer of new talents. January’s show introduced the Future On Stage event in which young enterprises in the decor, design, and lifestyle fields could showcase their offerings. Three winners were chosen and given the opportunity to be in the spotlight at the next edition of the fair. This was a highlight because it offers a springboard for talents which are shaping the future.
The Talks by Maison et Objet Academy
Maison et Objet isn’t just about admiring designs and marvelling at beautiful objects.
This year’s event hosted 20 conferences in which industry leaders and design experts delved into various fascinating topics to provide insider insight and give their audiences plenty to think about!
Highlights of the programme included “The Essence Of Ukrainian Design: Tradition, Emotion, Freedom”, which discussed how Ukrainians are demonstrating their resilience and desire for freedom through art; and “Sensory Design: In Search Of Soothing”, in which speakers conversed about how designers are translating our need for comfort in stressful daily lives through a calming sensory language.
So there you have it, our highlights from the Maison et Objet January 2023 show. We can’t wait for the next edition!
All images courtesy of Maison et Objet and the brands mentioned in this article.
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