Setting an unparalleled precedent of impeccable design and intricate artisanship, this year’s Invisible Collection exhibition in Paris unfurled quite an illustrative narrative of art, architecture and design. Hosted by Fair Director of India Design ID, Misha Bains and Alexis de Ducla, this exhibition stood out for its unquivering design ideologies, which were served curatorially alongside Parisian Savoir-faire. What made this retrospective gathering even more eloquent was Ashiesh Shah’s participation in the Paris Design Week presented by the Invisible Collection at the historic Féau Boiseries. This collaboration paved the way for Shah’s exquisite design sensibility into the crux of Paris, showcasing his innovative approach to design and craftsmanship in one of the city’s most storied locations.
Held on the 17th of January, 2025, the Invisible Collection exhibition commenced at 3:30 pm (CET), where the 18th-century interiors of the Hôtel de la Marine were discovered, and the Mathieu Workshop was visited. Régis Mathieu himself guided this experience. Following this, an indulgence extraordinaire via a high tea at the iconic heritage building, Féau Boiseries, was set up. This affair aimed to explore the Invisible Collection’s latest exhibition, celebrating art and design. Shortly after, the evening concluded with an exclusive visit and intimate dinner at the ornate Pinto Editions space, which serves as a testament to refined Parisian living.
A day prior, on the 16th of January 2025, Atelier Ashiesh Shah participated in the Paris Design Week for the first time. This significant event unveiled some of Ashiesh Shah’s latest designs, honouring India’s rich karigari and cultural artisanry on a global stage. He testified to the seamless blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design philosophy through his works. The same collection was later displayed at the Feau Boiseries by The Invisible Collection the following day. In this exhibit, Ashiesh Shah’s most recent creations, showcased under the Invisible Collection’s evocative “Soft Power” exhibit, exemplified a design ethos that marries restraint with the eternal symbols of Indian cosmogony. To highlight a few, this selection included an exquisitely handcrafted Channapatna Chair, the spiritual Channapatna Floor Lamp, the Naga Bench, and the cosmic-inspired Garbhagriha Mirror. Every piece unravelled a deep spiritual narrative, resonating with the visitors and captivating the stories and philosophies embedded in these designs.
Since 2017, Atelier Ashiesh Shah has been dedicated to blurring the boundaries between art and design. Inspired by geometry, materiality, and a Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, the studio’s design philosophy is deeply ingrained in experimentation, craftsmanship, and collaboration. This creates a creative ecosystem that empowers artisans and sustains traditional crafts. The Atelier’s work spans the breadth of India, challenging the boundaries of scale and showcasing lesser-known crafts. Its designs are not just functional objects but cultural narratives.
Meticulously detailed and curated, the response to the Invisible Collection’s exhibition was overwhelmingly positive, indicating a high trajectory for Indian craft globally. Atelier Ashiesh Shah’s exhibit was highly acclaimed, further cementing the studio’s role as a pioneer in design innovation.
