The Osé Edit: Who We Are Loving at Paris Design Week

Every year art and design descend on Paris for almost two weeks of art installations, exhibitions and most importantly design. Museums across the city are filled with the juxtaposition of the ancient marvels that founded European design against the modern European designers shaping the continent’s future. 

From exhibitions, galleries, and more around the city to the various vendors and exhibitions at the exposition center in Villepinte, one thing stood out: color. It seems that everyone is on the collective page that whimsy, color and playfulness in design are where we are heading and as your maximalist lovers, we couldn’t be happier. Of course there were a lot of material mixing and neutrals (all staples of European design) but we are here to focus on, colorful lamps, sculptural forms, stools shaped like traditional Korean candies and traditionally crafted pieces that were stand alone pieces of art. 

Chinese Creative Pavilion 

Here the best in Chinese design, art, material and even culinary creators unite over one central theme “Bon Goût / Good Taste”. This exhibition is all about enjoying flavor and aesthetic discernment, proving that taste and beauty are universally connected. 

Why we love it: It is colorful, joyful and breaks through the noise of what we have come to know in European design. Whether it is the scale of the piece, the form or even the color, it offers us a look into Chinese design through a Chinese lens. 

10 rue de Turenne 75003 Paris 

Design Week Lagos Preview 

Tucked away in a corner of Galerie Joseph is a preview for Design Week Lagos (Oct. 18-25) which, is both exciting and innovative design that is breathing fresh life into the design world as a whole. If pieces like the sculptural lamps of designer Nicole Enwonwu and the textural mixed material work of Emma Emodi are just the start of what Lagos has to offer, we can’t wait to see what’s next. 

Why we love it: Refreshing textures, forms and innovative ideas that breathe new life into, let’s be honest, a rather repetitive world of design. Whether it’s through form or function, the designs presented were works of art.

Photo Credit: Grégoire Sevaz

Living Layers

A group of Korean designers present their creative expressions where traditional life meets modern living. From traditional dress expressed in a modern armchair or traditional sweets transformed into stackable stools or skeins of wool made into a complete table and chair set, these designers exhibited pride and creativity in their work. 

Why we love it: It’s tangible proof that playfulness and culture go hand in hand with design. The use of traditional pieces like clothing, food and everyday objects in furniture bring art into their design and tell a story of culture through the exhibition. 

Photo Credit: Grégoire Sevaz

Romad

Based around the crafts of Central Asia’s nomadic cultures, Romad celebrates the connection between art and tradition in their beautiful designs displayed in Galerie Joseph. Tucked away in a quiet corner, you find vases and various sculptural pieces made by women from Central Asia’s often overlooked nomadic cultures. 

Why we love it: As fans of artisan craft, we love to see traditional artisanal design on display in a design week context. It is joyful and happy and shows that design comes from everywhere and when we celebrate the originators of it we all win. 

Photo Credit: Grégoire Sevaz

All three exhibitions are located inside Galerie Joseph 

116 rue de Turenne 75003 Paris

Contrepoint by Anthony Guerrée 

Anthony Guerrée’s exhibition Contrepoint is where modern design and classic French sculpture collide in beautiful juxtaposition. Sculpted woods and modern stained glass next to monolithic sculptures at the Musée Bourdelle dazzle and delight your eye with both modern and traditional sitting side by side. 

Why we love it: Guerrée’s use of color, pattern and texture throughout his work offers modern European design a splash of fun. His geometric terracotta tiles offer a modern update to a classic material. 

Photo Credit: Grégoire Sevaz

Musée Bourdelle – 18 rue Antoine Bourdelle 75015 Paris

Meetlo 

Out at the exhibition center in Villepinte, you will find Meetlo, a South African-based design studio creating magnificently sculpted furniture pieces that will bring interest to any room. These conversation pieces serve as everything from storage to beautiful banquettes. 

Why we love it: The sculptural design speaks to a global audience while being stylistically African by Africans, rather than the often seen appropriation of African artistry in European design. The quality is evident at first glance but the real showstopper is the uniquely sculpted wood that shows how one can work with nature rather than bend it to their own will. 

Photo Credit: Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

Feel the Shift by Masquespacio

The design duo worked as Maison & Objet’s ambassadors and created a world of whimsy within a stark convention hall. Each vignette was carefully curated to bring interest and richness into the space. Creating a world of color, charm and delight after making a conscious decision to no longer chase trends. 

Why we love it: It’s just fun and colorful in a world of design that is often so boring and neutral. It’s a maximalist’s dreamscape. 

Photo Credit: Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

La Chaise Couture

At the intersection of furniture and fashion is where we meet La Chaise Couture. A true collectable, the chair that is designed to be dressed brings a bit of creativity to any space. Whether it is naked, draped or in a full tutu, this chair was designed to stand out. 

Why we love it: It appeals to our maximalist hearts. It is a piece in any room that is a conversation starter and an art piece. Plus you can dress it up like a Barbie doll, who doesn’t love that?

Photo Credit: Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

All three are located inside the Maison & Object Exposition

Villepinte Exposition Center

Areen Hassan at Institut du Monde Arab

Weaving the Land Back by the textile designer Areen Hassan is a look into the beauty of Palestinian traditional textile design mixed with contemporary elements. Beyond the beauty of its design, the textiles tell a story of a land and a people’s unwavering commitment to their traditions and to joy even in the darkest of times. 

Why we love it: It is quintessential storytelling in design. It is a cross-cultural exploration of what it means to be Palestinian in the world today. It is colorful, rich and joyful just like its people. 

Photo Credit: Maraya Art Centre

La Re_Prise de la Bastille

A celebration of the 196 countries that make up the world we are all collective citizens of. This celebration of coexistence and power of collective action is represented in 196 flags (including Palestine) made using recycled clothing. The transformation of forgotten materials into a symbol of unity and togetherness is the perfect statement against the rise of anti-immigrant and religious hatred we see these days. The only thing that was maybe missing? Some of those immigrant voices that the artists were fighting to represent.

Why we love it: Collective action and change through art is never not going to be one of our favorite themes here. Along with the upcycled textiles and the overall positive message of unity and togetherness. It’s a win for us. 

Photo Credit: Grégoire Sevaz

Place de la Bastille