Paris once again takes center stage in the world of collectible design as the second edition of Design Miami.Paris opens its doors from October 16-20, 2024, at the historic L’hôtel de Maisons in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. With 30 international exhibitors showcasing a diverse array of rare and unique designs, this year’s fair offers an impressive fusion of historic and contemporary pieces, cementing its place as a must-see event for design enthusiasts and collectors.
The preview day on October 15 set a vibrant tone for the event, with sales occurring almost immediately. One of the standout moments came from Galerie Downtown-LAFFANOUR (Paris), which sold a full-scale Jean Prouvé post-war prefabricated house for over one million euros. The house, originally built in 1946, exemplifies Prouvé’s vision of functionality and simplicity, a design still resonating with collectors today. Furnished with pieces by Charlotte Perriand, the house was awarded Best Design at Large Presentation, creating a stunning juxtaposition against the ornate backdrop of L’hôtel de Maisons.
Among the highlights, Galerie Mitterrand (Paris) displayed François-Xavier Lalanne’s dining room set, a remarkable combination of Carrara marble and steel rings, earning the Best Historical Design Object award. Equally captivating was Marc Newson’s Pod of Drawers, presented by Carpenters Workshop Gallery, which won Best Contemporary Design Object. Newson’s creation draws inspiration from 18th-century French cabinetmakers but takes on a modern edge with hand-beaten aluminum over fiberglass, a playful yet elegant design.
Paris-based Galerie Gastou made its debut at the fair, exhibiting works by Jean Touret in collaboration with Agnès Debizet. The minimalist wood and iron designs hark back to Touret’s time with the Ateliers of Moralles, offering a nostalgic yet fresh approach to functional design.
The fair also saw the inaugural appearance of Louis Vuitton at Design Miami.Paris, showcasing striking pieces by the Campana Brothers, including the Bulbo Chair and Merengue Ottoman. Their bold, monochrome designs provided a compelling contrast against the opulent setting of L’hôtel de Maisons, while also coinciding with Louis Vuitton’s exhibition, LV Dream.
Looking ahead, Design Miami continues to make waves in the world of design, with its flagship event returning to Miami this December. As Paris wraps up its edition, one thing is clear: the city remains at the heart of collectible design, offering a rich platform for the past, present, and future of the industry.