Paris, 24 October 2023 - Design Miami/ Paris concluded its highly successful first edition on Sunday, 22 October. The new Parisian fair ran alongside Paris+ par Art Basel over October 18-22, with Preview Day on October 17. Presented in L’hôtel de Maisons, an 18th century mansion in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the fair showcased works by 27 of the world’s leading collectible design galleries, strikingly installed across the interior of the historic house and its gardens.

During the week, further news was shared from Paris, as Basic.Space, a digital marketplace with a curated blend of pre-owned/vintage and new, exclusive products, announced its acquisition of Design Miami/.

This week marked a significant milestone for Design Miami/. The success of our inaugural Paris fair is a tribute to our incredible gallerists, designers and partners as well as both the emerging and established collectors who came together for this first edition. We have reached a key moment in the fair’s evolution, as we look towards our Miami Beach fair in December, our 20th anniversary next year, and of course the acquisition of the fair by Basic.Space, which presents endless opportunities for us.” - Jen Roberts, CEO, Design Miami/

Gallery Highlights/
The gallery program presented museum-quality works in the context of a magnificent collector’s home. From iconic pieces of 20th century design to impactful contemporary creations, each presentation offered a unique visual dialogue with L’hôtel de Maisons.

Award Winners/
On 16 October, the eve of the fair’s preview, Design Miami/ announced the fair’s Best of Show award winners, selected by the esteemed Vetting Committee, including Simon Andrews, Al Eiber, Lee Mindel, Jeremy Morrison, and Grela Orihuela. The Best of Show award went to Lebreton (Monaco), celebrating a gallery presentation entitled Sculptors with Clay: A Tribute to 20th-Century Ceramic Masters. The exceptional showcase invited collectors to pay homage to the profound beauty of ceramics, charting the remarkable artistry of several renowned creators who wielded clay as their medium of choice during the latter half of the 20th century, with an array of exquisite works on show including Ruth Duckworth, Jean Derval, Suzanne Ramié, André Borderie and more. Lebreton’s presentation of intricate, tactile, and emotive forms delved into the multifaceted world of clay sculpture - from abstract and minimalist compositions to figurative and ornate sculptures. The showcase was a testament to the evolution of clay as a medium, its transformative power, and enduring impact.

The Best Design at Large was awarded to Âne Attelé (grand), 1989 by François-Xavier Lalanne, presented by Galerie Mitterrand (Paris). The iconic piece - a harnessed donkey pulling a cart, crafted from bronze - greeted visitors in the entrance courtyard to the house. The donkey is a key figure in François-Xavier Lalanne's bestiary, having accompanied the artist's career from the 1970s until his death. This specific piece, Âne Attelé, was designed for the Georges-Brassens Park in Paris' 15th arrondissement. The donkey and cart, which can also be used as a planter, was notably exhibited at the Château de Chenonceau in 1991 and at the Château de Versailles in 2021.

Best Contemporary Work was awarded to The Long Stripe Chair, 2021 by Full Grown, presented by Sarah Myerscough Gallery (London), a spidery, organically formed seat with an interesting production story. Described as botanical craftsmen, Full Grown employ ancient techniques to grow their tree-chairs, manipulating a bough’s directions of growth through custom frames and grafting together new furniture forms in the living tree. Integrating the artistic and romantic into the scientific, they urge us to reconsider the way we produce our everyday objects. The willowy, mysterious, grown sculptures are functional, beautiful objets d’art.

Lastly, Best Historic Work was awarded to the Polar bear sofa suite by Jean Royère, circa 1958, presented by Galerie Jacques Lacoste (Paris). The suite comprised of a sofa, two armchairs and two footstools, was purchased directly from the first owner’s relatives. A major figure in the history of 20th-century French decorative arts, Jean Royère (1902-1981) established himself in the line of great ensembliers décorateurs. Dedicated to the concept of a holistic vision for each interior design project, throughout his career and successive commissions he developed an elegant signature.