Maison & Objet: Scandinavian design scores points in Paris
The prestigious Maison & Objet trade fair is held in Paris and always transforms this city into a centre for contemporary trends in the field of home and design for a few days. The trade fair is intended for the general public, but also in particular for professionals who look for new sensations, trends and inspiration there. Important and often key transactions are also concluded here.
Awards are also presented to the best designers here every year. The title Designer of the Year was this year awarded to Cecilie Manz: a Danish designer who graduated from the University of Art and Design in Helsinki and then opened her own studio in the centre of Copenhagen.
The minimalist style of Cecilie Manz
Cecilie Manz experiments with materials, each of her luxurious designs being accompanied by a lot of sketches and models. She always collaborates closely with manufacturers and visits the production lines.
Her designs are minimalist and she uses very fine shades of grey which she combines with bolder colours. She attempts to rid her designs of any superfluous features, using uninterrupted lines.
Collaboration with the luxury Fritz Hansen and Bang & Olufsen brands
Cecilie spent time in Japan in 2016, where she collaborated with the Actus company on the Moku project.
She has created a collection of dining tables and chairs for Fritz Hansen and collaborated on design of luxury portable speakers for Bang & Olufsen. She exhibited several of her items at this year’s Maison & Objet trade fair – a glass table, chairs, seats and lamps etc.
Subtlety and purity versus exotic sensuality
Scandinavian design is much sought-after and praised for its simple style, use of timeless and high-quality materials, simplicity of colour and purity.
However, the work of other designers was on show at the trade fair which on the contrary amazed visitors with its exotic nature, sensual colours and use of all kinds of materials. This for example included the Ayou brand, Pi Project, or Adjao.
Czech representation in Paris
Also part of the Parisian trade fair was for example the Czech Devoto brand which engages in production of children’s furniture, the glass makers Brokis, Bomma which designs lighting and also the well-known Precioza brand from Jablonec as well as the world-famous Moser brand.
