Overview
Organized by Paris Design Week in synergy with the Maison&Objet trade show, Paris Design Week Factory is an avant-garde laboratory, incubator, and launching pad for emerging international design talents and collectible design. Held annually in September across iconic galleries in Paris’s Marais district (including Espace Commines, 116 rue de Turenne, 16 rue des Minimes, and 10 rue de Turenne), the event brings together over 130 emerging designers, makers, and publishing houses from across the globe, attracting tens of thousands of visitors, journalists, industry professionals, and design enthusiasts.
Objectives
Paris Design Week Factory aims to serve as a career springboard for young design talent by providing a high-visibility platform to showcase experimental work and connect directly with key industry decision-makers, gallerists, and editors. Operating without strict age limits, Factory seeks to democratize access to the design industry, break down traditional boundaries between art, design, and craft, and highlight emerging international trends, self-produced editions, and collectible design.
Programs / Opportunities
- Thematic Group Exhibitions: Four curated showcase sections across Marais gallery venues:
- Avant-Garde (Espace Commines & 116 rue de Turenne): Curated, non-traditional scenographies displaying works by emerging international creators.
- Editions & Established Designers (16 rue des Minimes): Showcasing works, prototypes, and finalized objects from design studios and publishing houses.
- International Pavilions (10 rue de Turenne): Focused international showcases, such as the China Creative Pavilion (“BON GOÛT ! GOOD TASTE !”).
- Open Call for Emerging Designers: An annual application call offering space-based exhibition booths (charged per square meter) selected by an expert alumni curatorial panel.
- Professional Networking & Media Exposure: Connecting participants with over 23,000 visitors, including international buyers, journalists, curators, and commercial publishers.
Target Community
- Emerging Designers & Creators: Independent designers, craftspeople, self-producers, and emerging talents with under five years of professional experience across furniture, object design, ceramics, lighting, and material experimentation.
- Design Publishers & Brands: Contemporary design houses, galleries, editors, and manufacturing partners seeking new talent and prototypes.
- Industry Professionals & Public: International buyers, curators, journalists, interior architects, collectors, and general design enthusiasts.
