Fairs
Art Basel and Design Miami Plan New Parisian Editions
Modern art and design? Mais oui! Earlier this week, Art Basel and MCH Group revealed their plans to establish a new contemporary and modern art fair in Paris. Debuting this October, the first edition will be staged at the Grand Palais Éphémère, a temporary venue, before moving to the restored Grand Palais in 2024. On the heels of this announcement, Design Miami announced today that it too was taking a Francophile turn, with plans to launch its own event to coincide with the new fair. Additionally, the organization introduced Maria Cristina Didero as its global curatorial director, along with the show’s planned curatorial theme: the Golden Age.
Business
Award-Winning Designer Alidad Turns Teacher
With more than three decades of creating impeccably layered interiors for international clients, London-based interior designer Alidad is sharing his profound insights in a new Create Academy course titled “Guide to Creating Interiors That Will Stand the Test of Time.” With lessons on how to trade in trends for timelessness, define your personal interiors style, and masterfully assemble antiques, vintage, and contemporary finds, Alidad’s five hours’ worth of teachings have actionable, time-tested takeaways that even fellow trade professionals will find valuable.
Product Launches
Savoir Shares Its First Vegan Mattress
The craftsmen at Savoir have assembled what they’ve dubbed the “recipe for better sleep,” resulting in a new mattress designed using an all-vegan “ingredients” list. Diverging from the general market’s use of synthetic fibers and memory foam, the new Reformer No4v mattress employs bamboo, natural flax and Tampico fibers, and cotton to create a plant-based sleeper that offers a temperature-regulated sleep, naturally.
Zak + Fox and Jamb Create a Collaboration That Is Not to Be Missed
This week marks the official start of London-based lighting, furniture, and fireplace maker Jamb’s one-year residency at Zak + Fox’s New York City showroom. For the first time ever, Stateside designers will be able to view Jamb’s reproduction furniture—upholstered in Zak + Fox’s latest fabric line, no less—in person, as well as 30-plus of the firm’s handcrafted light fixtures.
Designer Tyler Hill Debuts an Atelier of Limited Editions
Washington, D.C.–based interior designer Tyler Hill’s canny interplay of light, material, and sophisticated form is well on display in the launch of Transparent Atelier, a furniture and lighting brand debuting with 10 brutalist-inspired pieces. Oil-rubbed bronze, smoke mirror glass, alabaster, and more contribute to the Italian-made collection’s finesse.
BADG Partners with Pottery Barn
In other product news, two exciting debuts are certainly important not to miss. Today, Pottery Barn launched its inaugural collection with the Black Artists + Designers Guild, which is commonly referred to as BADG. The “pieces reflect our uniqueness, resilience, and strength,” collection designers and BADG members Penny Francis, Casi St. Julian, and Lisa Turner said in a statement.
Diptyque Launches Wallpaper
Last but certainly not least, esteemed fragrance brand Diptyque has launched a line of wallpapers. Graphically bold and utterly unique, the designs are sure to remind fans of the company of their distinctive packaging. The move marks an exciting new chapter for Diptyque, which had previously started to wade into home decor waters.
Hires
Michael Diaz-Griffith to Lead DLN, Matthew Rubinger Heads to 1stDibs
Michael Diaz-Griffith, formerly of the Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation and The Winter Show, is taking over the reins as executive director and COO of the Design Leadership Network, according to a release from the organization last week. In his role, Diaz-Griffith will oversee strategy and operations for the group. He assumes the role on March 1 and will report to Peter Sallick, DLN’s founder.
Also of note, Matthew Rubinger has been named the new chief commercial officer of 1stDibs. He joins the e-commerce platform from Christie’s. “We’re thrilled to welcome Matthew to the team,” David Rosenblatt, CEO of 1stDibs, said in a statement. “He has a singular expertise that is attuned to the luxury space, digital selling, and global strategy, and his proven track record gives us great confidence in the company’s future success.”
Awards
Mac Collins Wins First-Ever Ralph Saltzman Prize
Designer Mac Collins has officially been named as the inaugural recipient of Design Museum’s Ralph Saltzman Prize, which celebrates product designers in the early stages of their careers. “Mac is a worthy winner,” Lisa Saltzman, who created the prize, said in a statement. “In addition to the aesthetic quality, Mac brings personal narratives into his work and considers his practice as an exploration of his identity within the African Diaspora.”
Openings
Chilewich Unveils a New Manhattan Store as Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville Readies for Action
Chilewich, beloved provider of modern woven placemats and more, has a new shop. The store, located on East 59th Street in New York, was designed by company CEO Joseph Sultan. (Brooklyn-based DLANDstudio is fashioning an outdoor space out back.) Also of note, the Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville is expected to take place February 11–13. Its programming, which will include guest speakers such as Martha Stewart and returning honorary chairwoman Bunny Williams, is bound to be met with eager anticipation after its recent hiatus. This year’s edition will mark the 32nd in its history.
In the News
French Designers Celebrate Star Performances
This winter, it just seems to be all about the French! Notably, AD100 designer Pierre Yovanovitch has received a special new sort of honor, with the edition of his Mama Bear chair into the collection of Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Also of auspicious note, Fernanda Da Rocha, a seamstress in the furniture department of Pierre Frey, has been awarded the prestigious knight of the order of arts and letters from the French Ministry of Culture. Additionally, Christian Lacroix Maison has debuted a distinctly chic new home collection—thanks to designer Sacha Walckhoff—to the applause of the design press.
All About Arts
RxART Projects Partners with the Haas Brothers, Dior Couture Show Features Works by Indian Artists
RxART Projects, an important charitable initiative that helps bring art to hospitals, is out with exciting news—the Haas Brothers have created a major sculptural installation for a new lobby at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Certainly, the work is bound to brighten the days of countless child patients. Also of note, at the recent Dior Couture show, models walked a runway backed by works by Indian artists Madhvi and Manu Parekh. Adding another layer to the installation was Karishma Swali, whose Chanakya ateliers and Chanakya School of Craft created the textiles murals. “I am honored to bring to life our collective vision with Maria Grazia Chiuri, Madhvi Parekh, and Manu Parekh for this immersive experience, which frames the Dior haute couture presentation,” she said in a statement. “Maria Grazia has always been a true champion for craft excellence, fostering, and preserving indigenous master techniques from around the world, and we are so grateful for her collaboration and mentorship.”