Topierre garden collection by Eric Schmitt.
Photo: Hugo Schmitt
Top Moments from Maison & Objet and Paris Déco Off
This year's edition was bursting with innumerable celebrations and special moments, all in the name of design
Maison & Objet Paris is an industry fair with over 600 exhibitors and a dynamic program of talks and special installations highlighting everything new and notable in the world of décor. Occurring twice annually, in September and January, this year’s winter edition brimmed with innumerable events, celebrations and special moments, all in the name of design and decoration. Running concurrently, Maison & Objet in the City/Déco Off, saw more than 100 showrooms put on special and exclusive events in the City of Light.
Here are Galerie’s top moments from happenings around Paris last week:
Frank de Biasi. Photo: Courtesy of Marie Daâge
The dinner was held at the home of Marie Daâge. Photo: Courtesy of Marie Daâge
1. An Exquisite Dinner Honoring Designer Frank de Biasi Hosted by Marie Daâge
Kicking everything off was the private dinner held chez porcelain designer extraordinaire, Marie Daâge. Celebrating Heroes of Design and American designer Frank de Biasi, hosted by Christopher Farr Cloth, Marie’s stunning apartment welcomed select guests seated at three tables, beautifully laden with her exclusive tableware, created to compliment the new Christopher Farr Cloth collection by Veronique de Soultrat. It was nothing short of breathtaking with flowers by Frank de Biasi and a friendly chat between Marie, Frank, and Gary Seale, CFC’s Executive Vice President.
Emmanuelle Simon and Mira Mikati. Photo: Courtesy of Emmanuelle Simon
The collection. Photo: Damien de Medeiros
2. Designer Emmanuelle Simon’s Collaboration with Fashion’s Mira Mikati
An invitation to visit the studio of French designer Emmanuelle Simon and see firsthand her collaboration with fashion designer Mira Mikati was full of curiosity and wonder. The thought of quiet luxury designer Simon, with her muted palette, collaborating with Mikati, who creates anything but muted nor quiet was an intriguing invitation. The two women met when Mikati was seeking pieces for her own place, and it was love at first sight. It was a natural fit for the two creatives to work together. The results are three pieces from Simon’s existing Baba collection. Take the restrained design and palette of Simon and add the hand-drawn colorful lines of Mikati, and voilà. The stitching is all hand-done to maintain the drawn feel, which makes each piece unique.
Chahan collaboration with Fortuny. Photo: Agence PHAR
3. Chahan’s Armonia Collection for Fortuny
Chahan Minassian, referred to as Chahan, the world-renowned designer, gallerist, and man of impeccable taste, has just added another feather to his cap in collaborating with Fortuny. Not only has he set up an outpost of Chahan Gallery in Venice with Fortuny, but he is the first outside designer invited to create a collection of fabrics with the historic house. Designed with creative director Mickey Riad, Chahan was inspired by the Fortuny archives with his own take on composition, palette, and texture. All the fabrics in this collection called Armonia (Harmony) celebrate the collaboration between Chahan, Fortuny and the beauty of Venice.
Lunch at Boubale, Le Grand Mazarin Hotel, honoring Martin Brudnizki. Photo: Courtesy of Martin Brudnizki
The event was hosted by Christopher Farr Cloth. Photo: Courtesy of Martin Brudnizki
4. Festive Luncheon Honoring Designer Martin Brudnizki at Boubale, Le Grand Mazarin Hotel
A festive and fun luncheon was held in honor of designer Martin Brudnizki at Boubale, Le Grand Mazarin Hotel, which he designed. The event had a cheerful and pretty atmosphere with his designs and a tribute to his innovation and unique point of view. The event was hosted by Christopher Farr Cloth, who collaborates with the designer and helps bring his eclectic vision to life in fabrics.
The lights originally hung in the French Ambassador’s Residence in Brasilia Photo: Courtesy of Brasilia Lights
5. A Celebration Marking Brasilia Light’s 50th Anniversary
Celebrating the 50th year anniversary of the Brasilia Lights, created by French designer Michel Boyer in 1975, lighting editor Ozone set up shop at the Mobilier National in Paris to pay tribute to Boyer and their collaboration, which began in 2006. The designs are architectural, perfectly proportioned, and exude elegance and chic. The spectacular hanging lights originally hung in the French Ambassador’s residence in Brasilia command attention and awe. To see this revisited installation was breathtaking and beautiful.
Juan Pablo Molyneux. Photo: Courtesy of McKinnon & Harris
6. Design Icon Juan Pablo Molyneux Opens His home for Private Dinner
One of the highlights of the week was the private visit and dinner at the home of design icon Juan Pablo Molyneux and his wife, Pilar, hosted by McKinnon & Harris.. The private residence, built in 1619 and hidden in a discrete but grand courtyard in the Marais, belonged to the secretary of Louis XVIII. The multi-floored house is chock-full of his eclectic collections of everything from rare embroidered 18th-century fauteuils to luxurious textiles to bronzes and porcelain. Here, guests were welcomed by embellished decoration via a feathered room and stayed for the charming hospitality of the Molyneux.
Studio visit with Eric Schmitt. Photo: Adam Ubino
7. Studio Visit with Designer Extraordinaire Eric Schmitt
It’s always a special treat to visit an artist and his environment, and the invitation to French designer Eric Schmitt’s studio was no exception. His rarely opened Parisian space was a moment to visit with him and see some new creations and never-before-seen pieces directly from his studio in the countryside. Also to be discovered was his new collection of outdoor garden pieces, called Topierre. Always the charmer and with a flair for decorative installations, spending a moment with Schmitt was an absolute delight.
Mathieu Lehanneur's “Here & Now” Exhibition Photo: Felipe Ribon
Mathieu Lehanneur's “Here & Now” Exhibition. Photo: Felipe Ribon
8. Mathieu Lehanneur’s “Here & Now” Exhibition at Christie’s
During the final days of this jam-packed week, visiting the exhibition of new work by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur at Christie’s was a revelation. A design star in France and around the world thanks to his work on the Olympic Torch, Lehanneur is always on the move creatively and not one to rest on his laurels. This new collection of initial chairs, each one unique and speaking to the DNA of initials, is stunning. The exhibition was titled “Here & Now” and, in true Lehanneur fashion, he was here and now but is now off and running to his next creative endeavor.
Cover: Topierre garden collection by Eric Schmitt.
Photo: Hugo Schmitt
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