At Matter and Shape, Design Thinking Takes Form in Paris
by Ellie Hay
The third edition of Parisian design salon Matter and Shape is centred around the theme of scale. Bringing together an international community of exhibitors, the salon is a platform for insight and innovation. Matter and Shape showcases both established and emerging talents spanning industrial and object design, interior design, fashion, and decorative arts. The salon is open to professionals and the public and supported by a rich programme of cultural events.
The creative direction comes from Dan Thawley, who draws on the notion of scale to consider the micro and macro, the immediate and the historical — in the spirit of Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau’s seminal 1995 architecture compendium S, M, L, XL. Here, scale refers not only to size and proportion, but to the relationships between objects, bodies, spaces, and time. It also extends to the idea of ‘scales of justice’, addressing questions of provenance and traceability in design, material scarcity, and the labour behind production.
Two pavilions in the Jardin des Tuileries, designed by London architectural studio JA Projects, will house the salon. The spaces themselves are designed to connect to the cultural and geographic history of the Jardin, reflecting the studio’s belief that design should be diverse, sustainable, and enriching.
Throughout the salon, a series of talks and events centred around scale will take place between designers, architects, and practitioners. Matter and Shape is created by Matthieu Pinet, and takes place from March 6 — 9, 2026 during Paris Fashion Week.
