What is the value of uniqueness? Why is there an increasing focus on limited editions and high personalization?

Uniqueness has become the emblem of high-end interior design. No luxury interior design project targeting an affluent clientele can forego exclusivity; it is one of the fundamental criteria of luxury design. This is why skilled artisans and companies that can adapt to produce bespoke pieces have found success. The same holds true for hotels and restaurants, which commission tailor-made pieces to distinguish themselves. This topic, growing ever more relevant, will be addressed at Maison&Objet in January with a gallery of twenty brands and artisans working in this segment.

Starting this year, Maison&Objet is giving more attention to the hospitality sector? What are the key elements of an excellent hospitality offer today?

We aim to offer pieces that are true statements, capable of surprising guests with a “wow” factor, much like the feeling of entering a magnificent lobby. To this end, we have invited architect Julien Sebban, founder of the Uchronia studio, to create a trending space titled What’s New? In Hospitality! – Similarly, we have a Home Décor space curated by Elizabeth Leriche and one for Retail by François Delclaux. Here, a unique and truly innovative vision of what a harmonious hotel room of the future should be will be presented.

We are also selecting design brands dedicated to creating imaginative pieces for the hospitality world around this setup. Our focus is on home furnishings, which is what we want to bring into the hotel sector. In addition to exclusivity and a harmonious, aesthetically pleasing design, today’s hotel guests are also looking for sustainable and locally sourced production solutions. These are very strong requirements, especially in the high-end segment: customers no longer want to be in standardized places made from a template. They want, above all, to be surprised and to discover some of the spaces through the design itself.

Fashion and design are increasingly connected through collaborations and idea exchanges. How does Maison&Objet enhance this connection?

We receive more and more requests from emerging fashion brands, already popular on social media, to participate in the fair. These are urban, unisex brands offering non-gendered or size-less products like bags, backpacks, hats, and scarves. They perfectly complement what you might find in a design concept store: the “coup de coeur” items ideal as gifts are precisely what we are promoting in the newly renewed fashion sector. We are also seeing more luxury brands collaborating with design brands – this past September, Giobagnara presented an exclusive collaboration with Elie Saab.

New technologies, innovation, and, above all, talents: Maison&Objet is also a platform for showcasing new personalities in the field. What program do you offer to support this goal?

Innovation is part of our DNA, and this includes introducing new brands and designers. With our reorganization, we will highlight these aspects even more in future September editions. Key programs include the Rising Talent Awards, where we showcase six new designers and a maker from a particular market or country. This allows us to discover talents who will collaborate with brands or even launch their own labels. We also offer Future on Stage, a mentorship program for young brands already ready for the market. In September, we will also host the Paris Design Week Factory program, which will feature over a hundred talents who will later join Maison&Objet.

Finally, what three adjectives would you use to describe the new Maison&Objet?

Innovative, international & premium. These terms have been part of Maison&Objet’s core vocabulary since its founding, thirty years ago. The market may have changed over the years, but we aim to strengthen what has made this brand strong, keeping our offer deeply international, with 60% of exhibitors from abroad, and a specific focus on the premium market.