Jean-Paul Bath and Sandy Saad, directors of Le FRENCH DESIGN association and curators of Art Paris 2025, quoted aptly, “A new breath of Decorative Arts in contemporary French design is gently revolutionising a world saturated with uniformity.” And while uniformity often sounds like fine fettle, we all sometimes agree that a French fair suggesting a knack for contemporary calibres brings a fresher, more reinvigorated approach to design. Misha Bains, Fair Director of India Design ID, was invited to Art Paris 2025 by curators Jean-Paul Bath and Sandy Saad. She quotes,” It was inspiring to witness Art Paris embrace contemporary design and decorative arts for the first time this year. This thoughtful inclusion signals a growing recognition that the boundaries between fine art and craft are dissolving, inviting a richer, more textured dialogue about how we live with and experience creativity today.”
Art Paris at Grand Palais
For its twenty-seventh rendition, the Art Paris fair unfolded at Grand Palais, newly renovated and steeped in native history. The fair, which focused on French design and contemporary decorative arts, took place from April 3 to 6, 2025. Introducing ‘French Design Art Edition: Contemporary Design and Decorative Arts Sector’, the new segment asserted its ambition for inclusivity and openness to all media amidst the historic settings. The event coincided with the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts centenary, spotlighting brilliant craftsmanship from acclaimed French artisans and manufacturers.
They curated this fine exhibition by calling upon architects, interior designers, editors, and gallery owners who showcased distinctive and limited-edition pieces illustrating the richness and diversity of contemporary design. Aligning with its core mission, the association offers a unique exhibition alongside the exhibitors’ stands, exploring the bridges between art and design, the relationship to craftsmanship, and the object in contemporary creation.
Jakob+MacFarlane, the architectural firm led by Dominique Jakob and Brendan MacFarlane, designed the scenography, elevating the northern balconies of the Grand Palais’ Nave. Encouraged by the Renaissance backstories of the geography, the duo visualised a scenery stretching along the Nave’s previously inaccessible balconies, intending to draft a connection or a pseudo-bridge between different disciplines. Providing a picturesque view overlooking the entire fair, the beautiful skyline and setting let attendees immerse themselves in this experiential journey.
At the Fair
Under the curation of Jean-Paul Bath and Sandy Saad, Art Paris 2025 brought together eighteen exhibitors. Segregated booths highlighted interior architects, designers, editors, and gallery owners, alongside a distinctive collective exhibition. Finding a stage at the prestigious setting of the Grand Palais, the exhibitor stands featured Reda Amalou Design, Maxime d’Angeac, Nicolas Aubagnac, Pierre Bonnefille, Studio Catoir, Duvivier Canapés, Atelier Alain Ellouz, Zèbres Gallery, Jakob+MacFarlane, Patrick Jouin Edition, Philippe Hurel, Jean-Yves Lanvin, leLAD EDITIONS, Pauline Leprince Studio, Maugoust Chenais Architecture & Edition, Bruno Moinard Editions, Rinck, and Roche & Frères.
Art Paris was demarcated into four main divisions: the Exhibitors’ Stands, the Collective Exhibition, the New Releases, and the Roundtable Discussion.
Exhibitors’ Stand
The Exhibitors’ Stands introduced each talent with suggestions of perspectives, much like various angles of interpretation. These narratives offered invitees to explore works freely rather than imposing rigid categorisations.
Exceptional Craftsmanship
Duvivier Canapés exhibited the Barbara armchair by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, which turns into a work of art in the hands of Pauline Angotti. Rinck revealed its new collection, Opus Memoria. Philippe Hurel unveiled a bedside table designed by Constance Guisset. The exhibit also included the Moon lounge chair, designed by Studioparisien, a unique edition embroidered for Art Paris by Cyrielle Leclère, and Mirage, a Pierre Gonalons design (2025). Alain Ellouz unfurled the Vésuve coffee table and the Incandescence collection in collaboration with Danneels & Zafiro.
The “Art Deco” Spirit
Reda Amalou curated a selection of limited-edition pieces for Art Paris. Maxime d’Angeac unveiled an exclusive collection: In collaboration with Ateliers Jouffre, he designed the Writing Chair and Contemplation Sofa, the marble pedestal table by the Blanc Carrare workshop, a woven leather stool (Lily & Léa) that doubles as a side table, plaster panels by artisan Étienne Rayssac, and a series of drawings by Alexey Rezvy. Studio Catoir created the sculptural Nodo armchair and the Shibori sideboard for Art Paris. Maugoust Chenais Architecture & Edition, collaborating closely with Henryot & Cie, showcased their exhibits, including the Reiko screen, the Ego rug, and the SOMA daybed.
Transversality and Reinvention
Zèbres Gallery presented designs by Christian Astuguevieille, François Cante-Pacos, and Édouard Boulmier. Jakob & MacFarlane showcased their limited-edition pieces at Art Paris. Patrick Jouin introduced his first self-published furniture collection, and leLAD EDITIONS presented the Far travertine table, the Torch table lamp, Marcel A and B stools, and the LMI bookshelf, which were designed by Esther Guyon and Guillaume Terver.
Memory and Gesture
Bruno Moinard Editions exhibited the Leyden table, the Solna sideboard, the Terzo bar cabinet, and the Chambord lounge chair. The Veulettes rug by the Manufacture de Bourgogne, the Aspen floor lamp, and the Lido light, especially created for this event, were also on display. Pierre Bonnefille presented an evocative selection, including the Rhizome: A bookshelf, alongside new works: a polychrome Bronze Painting, a Rhizome bench cast by Fusions Foundry, a Stone table, and a shelf. Nicolas Aubagnac created three tapestries inspired by nature: the Orion cabinet, the Comète pedestal, and the Sinan coffee table.
Thought-provoking: Conceptual Contemporary Design
Studio Roche & Frères revealed its latest limited-edition collection, which embodies a seamless dialogue between nature, design, and exceptional craftsmanship. Jean-Yves Lanvin unfurled the Wave console, and Pauline Leprince unveiled her latest collection, L’Enfermement, at Art Paris.
Collective Exhibition
The Collective Exhibition division, seen as complementary to the Exhibitors’ Stands, creates a conversation between tradition and modernity. It brought together over twenty limited-edition pieces, showcasing collaborations between designers and French manufacturers.
RoWin Atelier
RoWin’Atelier, established in 2011, was founded by architect duo Frédéric Rochette and Hervé Winkler. The Lili Desk Lamp, designed by RoWin’Atelier, features materials such as polished bronze with black patina, an electrical system, and LED bulbs. By elevating the material through expert craftsmanship, the lamp is manufactured with seamless joints, creating a refined appearance. The raw cast grain contrasts with the golden mirror-polished finish, enhancing its precious quality and intricate play of reflections.
YMER&MALTA
Founded under the notable leadership of Valérie Maltaverne, YMER&MALTA is rooted in the conception and production of objects and furniture, renewing the French tradition of excellence. The Skylight Series is crafted from whitened oak and features LED sconces in natural colours. Through its minimalist construction, the basic piece, once lit, attracts the viewer’s gaze to the point of hypnosis, with the light absorbing the surroundings.
New Releases
At Art Paris, the New Releases segment offered guests the exclusive opportunity to discover pieces never seen before, marking a celebration of the excellence of design and artisanal craftsmanship.
Roundtable Discussion
The roundtable discussion witnessed a panel of five industry stalwarts, with Jean-Paul Bath, the fair’s co-curator, moderating the session. Conducted on 3rd April, this conversation solely focused on the subject of Dynamic Convergences of Art and Design and the Renewal of Decorative Arts, with the renowned panellists Patrick Jouin, Mathieu Lehanneur, Pauline Leprince, René-Jacques Mayer, and Martin Pietri contributing their views to the discussion.
Art Paris 2025 revealed a more evolving dialogue between contemporary design and decorative arts, emphasising how the design landscape is progressing, diminishing definitive boundaries between art and craft. Through its thought-provoking collective of designs and exhibits, Art Paris encourages a more advanced discourse about how we experience the diurnal rhythms of the everyday world through a creative lens.
