The Saint-Germain-des-Prés district in Paris comes alive thanks to about 20 brands, makers of editions and producers, granting new energy to the Designer’s Days. The famous festival appears once again on the international trade fair schedule – from 14 to 17 June – after a hiatus of five years: the spotlight returns on this four-day design event, aimed at sector professionals but also for the general public.
The objective is to support design culture and to “reunite a community around design, boosting its visibility and recognition as a creative discipline, promoting its dynamism and economic impact, while making it an ideal intermediary between industry, technology, crafts and promotion” – say the organizers, including founding members and a new entry: Valérie Enlart, Inès Gilman, Philippe Gilman, Nicolas Roche, Marie-Pierre Wattebled, Brigitte Silvera, Paul Silvera, Thierry Guerin, Magali Faucon and Alain Lardet, among others.
To do this, the four-day celebration focuses on the spirit of initiative, curiosity and entrepreneurial flair embodied by over 20 brands, asked to reflect on the guiding theme “RADICAL” and to address it in a concrete, expressive way. “RADICAL means revealing the roots and origins of things in a surprising and moving way, explaining and sharing them.” Therefore the window displays, settings and installations will present an imaginative materialization of this thematic suggestion, to investigate the meaning of design between craftsmanship and industrialization, and the pursuit of innovation to respond to the challenges of today’s society. The companies will offer their visions and their responses to these issues, once again demonstrating the driving force of action.
Poliform will present a special display in its flagship store on Rue du Bac, Molteni&C an installation created by Michael Anastassiades, while Roche Bobois will focus on the product-sculptures Zéphyrus and Polygonia. The Cassina Store Paris Rive Gauche will be covered with a specially created multicolored fabric, also used for all the furniture on display. Other participants include Magis, USM, Hermès, Elitis, Gaggenau, Cassina, Boffi | De Padova, V-Zug, Triode, La Manufacture des Tapis Cogolin, Silvera Bac, Poltrona Frau, Dedar and Kartell.
While at the new address, at 16 Boulevard Raspail, Boffi | DePadova responds to the theme with an exhibition dedicated to the relationship between craftsmanship and sustainability, thanks to the integration of collections from the Time & Style ēdition brand that enhance the experience: witnesses to a centuries-old tradition now perfectly aligned with the contemporary, the Bombori and Lantern lamps stage in the setting; made of rice paper, they are the result of skilled workmanship of Japanese craftsmanship. Ryutaro Yoshida, founder of the brand, will also be present at the showroom event.
Culture and socializing (evening events and cocktail parties are always a key part of the program) set the rhythm of the festival, crowned by the contribution of designer Sam Baron as Guest of Honor, tracing the red thread of the visit itinerary with a specially created urban setting.
