French designer Jean-Baptiste Fastrez has launched his latest collection through an unexpected partnership with Monoprix, the French retail chain known more for household items and groceries than gallery-worthy design. The collaboration, which went live September 16, marks a shift in how contemporary designers are approaching mass-market accessibility.
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- Round chrome-plated metal tray
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- Photos courtesy of Monoprix and Jean-Baptiste Fastrez
The collection features chrome-finished household objects including bowls, vessels, mirrors, and candle holders in purple, silver, and gold. Each one bears Jean-Baptiste’s signature cone-shaped and curved forms. It’s a stark departure from the typical Monoprix aesthetic, introducing pieces that wouldn’t look out of place in a contemporary art museum to everyday shoppers.
The partnership originated through Villa Noailles, the contemporary art gallery that first showcased the collection during Design Parade in June. What’s interesting is how this three-way collaboration challenges traditional boundaries between high design, commercial retail, and cultural institutions.
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- Round Mirror in silver chrome metal
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- Silver chrome hand-cast metal stool. Photos courtesy of Monoprix and Jean-Baptiste Fastrez
Jean-Baptiste, who won the Grand Prix at Design Parade Hyères in 2011, has built his reputation on transforming mundane objects into something more conceptual. This Monoprix venture is a test of whether space-age aesthetics can find a home in French living rooms alongside everyday essentials.
The Jean-Baptiste Fastrez × Monoprix collection is now available at www.monoprix.fr
