Maison&Object 2020 managed to retain its magnetic attraction. Marking the event’s quarter century, this particular edition of the international trade fair for the decoration, design and lifestyle sector, which ran from January 17th to 21st at the Villepinte Exhibition Centre in Paris, demonstrated outstanding resilience, recording only a slight decrease in the number of attendees (-3.5%), and an increase in the number of exhibitors (2736), which included 609 new firms.
To herald the start of the brand new decade, Maison&Objet decided to dedicate both its 25th anniversary year editions to the same inspiring topic: (RE)GENERATION! The aim was to give visitors the chance to get to grips with the consumer behaviour displayed by generations Y and Z, which is both intriguing and unsettling in equal measure. Assisted by style consultancy Nelly Rodi, the January edition explored the level of engagement these new meaning-driven consumers exhibit with a specific itinerary flagging up eco-friendly brands.
The ‘What’s New?’ exhibits staged by Elizabeth Leriche, François Bernard and François Delclaux also cleverly explored the way consumers are bringing meaning, nature and virtuous materials back into their homes - all themes close to the new generation’s heart.
Designer of the Year: let there be light!
“Simplicity takes a lot of hard work”. That’s how Designer of the Year 2020 Michael Anastassiades, whose lighting designs were showcased at Maison&Objet, chose to present his craft. It was actually a kind of homecoming for this Cypriot designer, as it was at Maison&Objet that he first presented his eponymous brand back in 2007, after studying engineering and graduating with a Masters in Industrial Design from the Royal College of Art in London and then going on to set up his studio there in 1994.
