Matter and Shape: A Convergence of Fashion and Design at Paris Fashion Week

The Matter and Shape design fair, renowned for its meticulously curated exhibits, has once again graced Paris during Fashion Week for its third annual event. Held at the Jardin des Tuileries, this unique gathering, which commenced on Friday and concludes on Monday, March 9, is strategically timed to attract the fashion elite, thereby introducing the dynamic world of design to an expanded audience. Far from a typical trade show, Matter and Shape reimagines the essence and target demographic of a design event, aligning perfectly with the fashion industry's growing fascination with interior aesthetics and home décor. The attendees are a sophisticated blend of stylists, hoteliers, retailers, restaurateurs, students, trendsetters, and creative directors, alongside esteemed magazine editors, museum curators, artists, and gallerists. Notables such as Interview editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg and German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans have been observed exploring the diverse offerings, which span textiles, dinnerware, lighting, fragrances, ceramics, and furnishings from independent creators, architects, legacy brands, family enterprises, and art spaces.

The synergistic relationship between fashion and design is not a new concept, yet it is being explored with renewed vigor. Dan Thawley, a Paris-based Australian writer, editor, and creative consultant who serves as the fair's creative director, remarks that leading fashion creative directors have historically acted as curators. He points out that the residences of prominent fashion designers often reveal their extensive book collections, furniture selections, and other objects that serve as sources of inspiration. He emphasizes that while the best designers have consistently crafted remarkable spaces, the interplay among art, fashion, and design is now communicated in a more tangible and accessible manner. In its short three-year history, the fair has significantly expanded its roster of exhibitors, more than doubling from 30 to over 70 participants. The upcoming 2026 theme, "Scale," draws inspiration from Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau's influential 1995 architectural work, S, M, L, XL. This year's exhibits feature a wide range of items, from Monies' sculptural jewelry and Julie Kegels' recycled leather jackets repurposed into cushions for a Le Corbusier-inspired armchair, to delicate seashell sugar bowls by Tavares 1922, aromatic creations from Frama, and architectural side tables by Herzog & de Meuron. Beyond the exhibition spaces, Matter and Shape also provides areas for relaxation and reflection, including a reading room in collaboration with Villa Hegra, a café by Parisian establishment Dreamin' Man partnering with Zara Home, and a temporary restaurant managed by the innovative culinary studio Balbosté. Thawley encapsulates the experience by stating, "I like to think of Matter and Shape like a curated walk through the pages of a magazine." He further elaborates on the importance of discovering hidden gems in an age of perceived omnipresent online information. He highlights the ongoing revitalization of archives by generational family businesses and the forging of new connections across film, food, and fashion, celebrating these diverse disciplines as integral to how we experience life.

Highlighting this year's impressive showcase, Lindsey Adelman's studio from New York introduces "Andromeda," a new series of chandeliers and sconces. These pieces, inspired by celestial bodies, blend steel, rich Emperador marble, and patagonia green quartzite with mold-blown glass, commemorating the studio's two-decade milestone. Viennese glassware icon Lobmeyr, in collaboration with Luca Guadagnino, presents an installation featuring Guglielmo Ulrich's designs, sourced from Guadagnino's personal collection. Danish design house Georg Jensen's "Chance Encounters" exhibits archival jewelry by six female artists alongside their other works, such as Kim Naver's 1975 bangle paired with her tapestries. Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester, transitioning from fashion to home design, showcases new homewares with Serax, including carafes and a cylindrical wall lamp. French furniture publisher Petite Friture reissues René Herbst's 1927 "Sandows" collection, updating its minimalist steel and elastic design for a contemporary audience. Finally, Fondation Arp-Taeuber debuts at the fair, presenting Sophie Taeuber-Arp's original art alongside modern interpretations, including stained-glass works by Sophie Toporkoff and hand-tufted rugs by Christopher Farr, as well as a chest of drawers by Fassen, faithfully reproducing one of Taeuber-Arp's own designs.

These innovative approaches to design underscore the belief that continuous discovery and creative cross-pollination are vital for enriching our surroundings and daily lives. By blurring the lines between various artistic disciplines and providing a platform for both established and emerging talents, Matter and Shape encourages a deeper appreciation for the intricate beauty and thoughtfulness embedded in the objects that define our personal spaces.