At Maison&Objet, Faye Toogood Asks: “What Is It to be Human?”

Faye Toogood was named Designer of the Year during the January edition of Maison&Objet. She also presented "WOMANIFESTO," an introspective exploration of female creativity. Photo by Ceila Spendard-Ko

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February 4, 2025

The most thrilling moment from the January edition of Maison&Objet did not happen at its usual home in the suburban fairgrounds, but back in the center of Paris at the British Embassy.

During the show, leadership from Maison&Objet along with representatives from the consulate celebrated the designer of the year, Faye Toogood.

Faye, thoughtfully styled in a flowing off-white dress and gold pumps, received the award and brilliantly launched into a seemingly off-the-cuff acceptance speech to a small group of dignitaries, designers, and journalists.

Left: Faye Toogood accepts the award for Designer of the Year at the British Embassy. Right: Faye’s zine “WOMANIFESTO.” Photos by Chris Force

“We’re on the precipice of change. AI is coming, and who knows what the role of the designer is really going to be. What’s going to happen at Maison&Objet with the changes that are coming? Surely AI will be able to design a Faye Toogood chair better than Faye Toogood. So we need to brace ourselves and be ready for that.

We need to delve deeply into what it means to be creative, to have freedom of expression, and what it is to be human. Where it used to be about solving problems and finding solutions, now it’s actually going to be about connecting as humans and being inspired by nature.

Previously, perhaps, where I was focused on the avant-garde, now it’s how I can connect people closer to nature and closer to the landscape, because that feels like something we truly need. As Picasso rightly said, ‘We are all born artists. As we grow into adults some of us retain it, and some of us don’t.’

I now look not just to the next generation in terms of the 21-year-olds at design school, but our children. I have a lot of fear for our children with the advancement of technology consuming their childhood. I ask all of us to protect that, because childhood is where creativity is born and that we must nurture.

I feel very passionately that creativity is the future of innovation and solving the problems that, as humans, we’re going to come across. I really cherish that. Today I still very much feel like the child in the room, and I am very honored to receive the designer award.”

– Faye Toogood

“WOMANIFESTO,” an introspective exploration of female creativity. Photo by Chris Force

Her speech was met with applause and helped give some context to the installation she created within the halls of Maison&Objet, a wheat-pasted and punk rock club backdrop that contained a survey of her career’s furniture, sculpture, and artworks. “It’s what you would see if you cracked my head open,” she says.

Her installation “WOMANIFESTO” contributed a renewed sense of energy to the decor, design, and lifestyle industry. The trade show, known for setting the tone for the year ahead, showcased a bold mix of creativity and commerce, attracting nearly 70,000 visitors from 149 countries. With a clear focus on originality and innovation, this year’s event marked a continued move upmarket, reinforcing Maison&Objet’s role as both a business catalyst and a cultural barometer.

Surrealist design took center stage at Maison&Objet’s “What’s New? In Hospitality,” where designer Julien Sebban’s bold vision came to life with Tréca Paris and Tonester Paints, culminating in the creation of the concept hotel, Hôtel Uchronia. Photo by Felix dol Maillot

The “What’s New?” program highlighted emerging trends across hospitality, decor, and retail, with designers like Julien Sebban, Elizabeth Leriche, and François Delclaux creating immersive installations that defined the aesthetic direction for 2025, while Thomas Haarmann’s “Curatio” exhibition elevated collectible design to the level of fine art.

The event also welcomed an unexpected crossover from the music industry, as Tomorrowland music festival previewed its upcoming lifestyle brand, MORPHO.

 

Beyond the show floor, Maison&Objet continued its expansion into the city, curating a tour of 100 high-end design destinations. Meanwhile, talks and workshops brought together industry leaders including Nina Magon and India Mahdavi to discuss the evolving landscape of retail, AI, and sustainability.

Verter Turroni’s sculpture at the “Curatio” exhibit curated by Thomas Haarmann. Photo by Chris Force

With 2,377 brands exhibiting—nearly 60% of them international—the show reflected a global industry in motion, despite economic headwinds in France.

Looking ahead, the September edition promises a reinvention tailored to retailers, concept stores, and architects seeking fresh inspiration.

 

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