Paris Design Week 2020 took place across the French capital as a combination of real and virtual events between 3rd to 12th September. Without further ado, and in no particular order, below is a quick recap of five things that caught Boca do Lobo Blog‘s curated eye.

Haute Couture by Servomuto, curated by Margherita Ratti

Paris Design Week 2020, A Run Down Of The Event's Highlights

Italian Institute of Culture in Paris hosted the launch of Haute Couture installation by Servomuto, curated by Margherita Ratti. Hôtel de Galliffet was transformed into a hall of art with seven oversized floor lamps paying homage to the visionary spirit of Parisian Haute Couture – the synthesis of different cultures and subcultures that acts as a bridge between tradition and innovation.

Humbert & Poyet’s Metamorphosis Collection for Maison Pouenat

Comprising unique pieces and collectables designs such as lights, sofas, armchairs, and tables, Metamorphosis features pure, clean lines and a resolutely contemporary spirit, brought to life with bespoke craftsmanship both the historic iron maker Maison Pouenat and interior architects Humbert & Poyet are renowned for. Inspired by the Art Deco movement and the designs of the 1950s and 1970s, the collection pays tribute to a number of Humbert & Poyet’s favourite artists including Jean Royère, Paavo Tynell and Josef Hoffmann. These inspirations are apparent in not only the design but choice of shapes, assorted textures and exquisite attention to detail. The bold choices of materials – lacquered wood, stone, plaster and brass, note a striking contrast from the raw to the ornate. The collection was unveiled during Paris Design Week as a scenography that was a tribute to Christo & Jeanne Claude. Statement by statement, wrapped and unwrapped.

Intérieur aux Aubergines by Cristina Celestino for Maison Matisse

After the success of their first limited series and first permanent La Musique ceramics collection, Maison Matisse has expanded their collections with pieces by Milanese designer Cristina Celestino. A sofa, an armchair, a folding screen, two coffee tables, a rug, wallpaper and a selection of home accessories are the stars of this permanent collection, inspired by the iconic still-life Intérieur aux aubergines (1911), regarded as one of Henri Matisse’s most decorative artworks. Like a living painting, Celestino‘s archetypal pieces interpret the work’s most striking elements in three dimensions, through a set of screens that are superimposed in-depth, mirroring the pictorial composition imagined by Matisse.

Lex Pott & David Derksen and Tijs Gilde at Transnatural Gallery

Amsterdam gallery Transnatural showcased during Paris Design Week five new works by designers who take material innovation as a starting point of their creative process. By harnessing sustainable production methods and technological innovations, Transnatural cultivates forward-thinking ways to (re-) design our living spaces. Two standouts are the ongoing series by Dutch designers Lex Pott & David Derksen, who unveiled new versions of the Eclipse Transience Mirrors. The Eclipse models celebrate the beauty of the natural oxidizing process inherent in mirrors, which the duo accelerate and manipulate, resulting in handmade pieces that illustrate the various stages of oxidation through a gradient of brown – gold – silver tones. Meanwhile, Tijs Gilde’s Lamina Light features a variety of luminous elements that form a narrative through his unique fascination with pattern and colour. Within a layered, modular structure of recycled acrylic material, Lamina amplifies colour pattern intensity. The design also explores new possibilities for more efficient production and recycling techniques.

Verso Collection by David/ Nicolas for Pierre Frey

In 2017, French decorating house Pierre Frey acquired one of France’s leading manufacturers of furniture, expanding its range of products. Sam Baron, Pierre Frey’s newly appointed artistic director for furniture, worked with Lebanese designers David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem of design studio david/nicolas. The duo focused on the theme of travel and the great transatlantic liners by the likes of René Prou, boldly reinterpreting his codes to create the collection. Verso responds to new lifestyles with both functional and modular design. A link between decoration and function, the collection showcased at Paris Design Week, demonstrates an innovative approach by mixing classical, contemporary and futuristic elements in a timeless aesthetic.