Enriching its exhibition programme, each year COLLECTIBLE devises a diverse programme of talks addressing themes around contemporary collectible design, and invites leading figures from various backgrounds to gather together and discuss specific subjects.
TALK
Saturday 15 March 2025 at 14:00
How do we write, speak, and think about design today? Beyond form and function, design carries emotional weight—both in its making and its reception. This conversation explores how emotions shape the creative process, influence storytelling, and define how we experience objects. Christopher Dessus, as a publication director, will bring insight into the role of language and criticism in capturing these dimensions, while designers will share how emotion informs their practice. How do we articulate the intangible in design, and why does it matter?
With: Sophia Taillet (Designer) & Grégory Lacoua (Designer)
Moderated by Christopher Dessus (architect and editor, Founder of PAF Atelier, Pli Editions, JTM Revue)
TALK
Saturday 15 March 2025 at 15:00
Fashion and furniture design have long been intertwined, not just in aesthetics and craftsmanship but in the way they navigate the market. Designers gravitate toward fashion’s retail energy, while streets like Rue Saint-Honoré increasingly resemble design galleries. With fashion brands supporting design fairs and furniture influencing fashion’s retail strategies, this conversation examines the evolving relationship between these industries—how they shape each other creatively and commercially, and what their convergence means for the future.
With: Ariel André (founder and head designer of GOLEM) & Anaïs Carion (Managing Director & CEO MAD Home of Creators
Moderated by Mirko Musmeci (Founder of ANDOTHERS STUDIO)
TALK
Sunday 15 March 2025 at 14:00
Sustainability is a defining topic in design, but within the collectible sphere, how much of it is truly actionable? This conversation looks beyond rhetoric to examine how galleries, collectors, institutions, and brands can foster meaningful change—supporting responsible production, ethical material sourcing, and longevity in design objects. What incentives drive a real shift? How can the market embrace sustainability without compromising artistic and material integrity? And what role does scarcity, value, and desirability play in making sustainability more than an aspiration?
With: Alexia Venot, (Executive Director Aléor) & Nathalie Guiot (Collector and Founder Aléor)
Soft Power Players: Who Shapes Design?
TALK
Sunday 15 March 2025 at 15:00
The success of a designer isn’t just about talent—it’s about visibility, positioning, and the network that amplifies their work. This conversation delves into the soft power of cultural players, initiatives and formats in order to support the discipline. In which sense influence publications, residencies, exhibitions or talks, individual careers and the general field? How can soft power players add value to design as a discipline, and, by doing so, to society as a whole?
With: Heleen Van Loon (Curator) & Bram Kerkhofs (Designer)
Moderated by Elien Haentjens (Design Journalist and Curator)
Discover how GOLEM uses unconventional architecture and design to craft immersive brand experiences that elevate a company’s physical presence. In this masterclass, Ariel André, Design Principal at GOLEM, will delve into the ways in which innovative architectural strategies can tap into a brand's core ethos. Through thoughtful design, GOLEM redefines how spaces can resonate with a brand's identity, creating environments that not only reflect but also enhance the brand’s narrative, making the physical experience an integral part of the brand's story.
With: Ariel André (architect & design principal, GOLEM)
AD100 and Elle Decor A-List Interior Designer Oliver Furth brings his unique blend of historic decorative arts and contemporary collectible design to life in his talk, "OP! Optimistic Interiors." Known for seamlessly merging styles and eras with a signature West Coast optimism, Furth’s work celebrates timeless, personality-rich interiors that prioritize individuality and joy over trends. Discover how his irreverent creativity and scholarly approach create magical, balanced homes that inspire a life well-lived. Don't miss this exploration of Furth's visionary design philosophy.
With: Oliver Furth (AD100 and Elle Decor A-List Interior Designer)
Join AD PRO for a panel discussion at COLLECTIBLE on Friday, September 6, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. AD’s Senior Design Editor, Hannah Martin, will sit down with Liv Vaisberg, Co-Founder of COLLECTIBLE; Anne-Sophie Bach from The Invisible Collection; interior architect & designer Kim Mupangilaï; and interior designer Jake Arnold to explore the emerging market of collectible design. The conversation will discuss the blurring line between art and design, the growing interest in this work, and how collectors are integrating these unique pieces into their daily lives.
With: Liv Vaisberg (Co-Founder of COLLECTIBLE), Kim Mupangilaï (Interior architect & designer), Anne-Sophie Bach (US Sale Director, The Invisible Collection) and Jake Arnold (Designer)
Moderated by: Hannah Martin (Senior Design Editor, Architectural Digest)
In the design world, the use of digital tools to shape physical materials is commonplace. At the same time, the climate crisis and an increasingly online way of life, largely brought on by the digital revolution, demand new materials for and approaches to the objects humans make. What kinds of materials does the design industry need now and for the future, and how can we create them? This conversation between Winka Dubbeldam, founder and partner of Archi-Tectonics and professor at Weitzman Architecture at UPenn, and artist Clement Valla, dean of experimental and foundation studies at RISD—whose work lies at the intersection of nature, technology, and material innovation—will explore this question, and the shifts in thinking required to develop and use the materials of tomorrow.
With: Winka Dubbeldam (Architect, Educator, and Founder and Partner of Archi-Tectonics) and Clement Valla (Artist and Dean of Experimental and Foundation Studies at RISD)
Moderated by: Tiffany Jow (Editor-in-Chief of Untapped)
This panel talk will explore the dynamic design scene in New York City, featuring insights from leading designers and educators.
With: Carly Cannell (Parsons School of Design: Director of BFA Interior Design Program), Nathalie Shook (Designer), Kickie Chudikova (Designer), Mzwakhe Ndlovu (Designer) and Kouros Maghsoudi (Designer)
Moderated by: Asad Syrkett (Editor-in-Chief, Elle Decor)
COLLECTIBLE and Pale Blue Magazine present a panel featuring trailblazing AAPI women who are reshaping the design industry, including gallery owners, spatial designers, and museum directors. This thought-provoking discussion will explore how intersectionality has shaped their experiences and fueled innovation in a historically homogenous field. By sharing their personal journeys and diverse professional perspectives, these visionaries will discuss pathways for amplifying diverse voices and reimagining the future of design. Join us for an inspiring conversation that celebrates diversity and challenges industry norms.
With: Karen Wong (Chief Brand Officer, New Museum), Jenny Nguyen (Founder/Global PR, Hello Human), Jean Lin (Founder/Gallerist, Colony Co-op), Sandy Park (Global Sales Director, STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN) and Swati Jain (Architectural Designer, unownspace)
Moderated by: Frances Pak (Co-founder of Pale Blue Magazine)
Join us at WSA for a special celebration hosted by the Female Design Council (FDC), the fair's lead cultural partner. This event honors the winners of the FDC’s Grant program for BIPOC female designers, which offers vital financial support and mentorship to emerging talents.
The highlight of the event is a Special Installation curated by FDC founder Lora Appleton, showcasing works by the first two Grant winners: furniture maker Luam Melake and leather artisan Mia Wright-Ross. As part of the celebration, we invite you to an informal talk and toast with the FDC and the artists.
With: Lora Appleton (Founder, Female Design Council & kinder MODERN), Luam Melake (Senior Researcher at the Healthy Materials Lab and Multidisciplinary Artist/Designer) and Mia Wright-Ross (Leather Artisan, Designer, and Educator)
Moderated by Tione Trice, this panel will examine the intersections of architecture and creative practices across Africa and its diaspora. Experts in design, art, and culture will explore how both traditional and contemporary mediums, including variations in materials, influence the built environment and shape creative expression. The discussion will highlight the diversity and significance of African and diasporic contributions to the global design landscape.
With: Mehdi Dakhli (Artistic Director and Designer), Andile Dyalvane (Ceramic Artist), Dominique Petit Frere (Designer & Founder, Limbo Accra), Mzwakhe Ndlovu (Multidisciplinary Designer & Founder, SUBJECT BUREAUX) and Zizipho Poswa (Ceramic Artist)
Moderated by: Tione Trice (Designer, Collector & Founder, Of the cloth)
This panel talk will explore the dynamic intersection of cutting-edge research and real-world application. This conversation will delve into how academic insights into sustainable design are being translated into practical, impactful solutions in the design field. Panelists will discuss challenges, successes, and the evolving collaboration between scholars and practitioners in creating a more sustainable future.
With: Kiki Goti (Designer, Educator: Parsons School of Design & Pratt Institute), Marte Mei (Designer), Catherine Murphy (Director of Education, Parsons Healthy Materials Lab) and Michael Szivos (Founder of SOFTlab)
Moderated by: Sonya Tamaddon (Curator & Advisor)
Investigating the creative boundaries between design and art involves exploring the areas where the functionality of design meets the personal and conceptual expression of art.
With: Carole Petitjean (Director of Materials and Design, RDAI), Julia Capp (Deputy Managing Director, RDAI), Pauline Leprince (architect, designer & scenographer of the Capsule Formæ, Studio Pauline Leprince)& Isabelle Pascal (Head of Member Community, Material Bank and Contributor, Formæ)
15:00 - Zyva studio: How to commission and integrate collectible design in his unique hyperreal cyberpunk world.
Anthony Authié, a French architect based in Paris. He founded Zyva Studio in 2019, specializing in the fusion of architecture and design. His work extends into Trans-Design, showcasing innovative projects that address global environmental challenges and include furniture design.
15:30 - Bastiaan Kalmeyer: From architect to sommelier and restaurateur and back: a case study.
Bastiaan Kalmeyer co-founded IWT - Instabilitywetrust, an architectural design firm in Rotterdam crafting spatial narratives for diverse clients since 2013. He works spans urban developments to commercial projects, blending architecture, interiors, and design. IWT has been recognized as finalists in prestigious awards like ARC17 Young Architect Award. Bastiaan Kalmeyer is also involved in House of Fundamental, enhancing gastronomic experiences through ventures like Fundamental.restaurant.
Interior Designers Branch into Gallerist and Furniture Design Roles, Transforming the Design Scene
Recently, we have witnessed the emergence of new galleries, many of them spearheaded by interior designers. At the same time, more interior designers are creating furniture pieces initially designed for specific projects, which then evolve into collections. In this interaction between interior designers and the collectible design market, an interesting dynamic emerges. This close relationship shows a good understanding of what customers want but also highlights some gaps in understanding the market. As roles mix and different areas of expertise come together, there is an exciting story of collaboration and exploration unfolding in the design community.
With: Kim Mupangilai (Architect & Designer), Mia Karlova (Designer & Founder of Mia Karlova Galerie) & Max Radford (Designer & Founder of Max Radford Gallery)
Explore the essentials of launching your collectible design journey with. Gain insights into starting your collection, including understanding iconic pieces and navigating the diverse landscape of contemporary design. While much attention has been given to contemporary art and historical design, the realm of contemporary design remains relatively unexplored. Join us as we shed light on this dynamic scene and uncover where to begin your exploration.
With: Liv Vaisberg (co-founder COLLECTIBLE)
In an upcoming discussion, designers will explore the intricate relationship between copy and recycling, accompanied by copyright lawyers who will clarify the distinctions for laymen. The conversation will revolve around the common industry practice of interior designers and brands emulating designs from young innovators, providing insights on how designers can protect their work. Moreover, the session will address the theoretical challenge of distinguishing between homage and pure copy, shedding light on where that line stands in the dynamic landscape of design. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and safeguard your creative endeavors.
With: Dr Julian Waiblinger (Copyright Lawyer) & Pierre Castignola (Designer)
Zaventem Ateliers, born in 2018 concurrently with COLLECTIBLE, is launching its inaugural book, encapsulating how Lionel Jadot brought together dozens of designers and artisans in a former paper mill on the outskirts of Brussels. During a discussion featuring Lionel Jadot and select members of this unique collective, they will share their stories, detailing their growth, collaborative efforts, and the intricacies of their most significant project to date: the renovation of the brutalist 1960s former ex-Royale Belge building, transformed into an expansive hotel and restaurant complex named Mix. Here, the 25 surrounding studios, alongside approximately 20 local designers, have crafted furniture, lighting, sculptures, tapestries, curtains, and other accessories tailored for this unique space.
With: Lionel Jadot (Architect & Interior Designer)
In a market dominated by more widespread Scandinavian or XXth French designs from previous years, understanding the nuances of the often overlooked 80s and 90s era can be challenging. Join us for an insightful talk offering tips for collectors seeking to master the art of blending contemporary collectible designers with vintage pieces from this unique period. Explore how works from this period articulate with today's creations and gain valuable insights into creating harmonious and captivating interiors that seamlessly fuse past and present design aesthetics.
With: Stanley Quaia (Director of Béton Brut Gallery) & Milan Henderickx (Founder of Cour)
Moderated by: Liv Vaisberg (co-founder COLLECTIBLE) & Jean-François Declerq (Founder of Atelier Jespers)
Enfant terrible of the Belgian interior design landscape, Lionel Jadot, founder of the Zaventem Ateliers, will share his experience in involving designers and craftsmen in his public projects of hotels and restaurants, taking the future Mix projects, the Jam hotel Lisbonne and the Food Society in Lyon and Paris as case-studies.
With: Lionel Jadot (architect and designer).
Created in 1999, the Liliane Bettencourt Prize pour l’Intelligence de la Main® is the leading award for French crafts, enabling creativity and innovation of talented designers and craftsmen. The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation is the founding and main sponsor of the Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association, a unique community bringing together 120 outstanding talents, all winners of the Liliane Bettencourt Prize pour l’Intelligence de la Main®.
In the continuity of the support provided by the Foundation, the association’s mission is to contribute to the future of contemporary creation and crafts by introducing experimental research programs, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations and creating bridges with new markets.
Join us for an exciting conversation with Marc Aurel (designer and president of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association), Pascale Riberolles (visual artist and secretary of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association) and the award winners Fanny Boucher (photogravure worker), Aurélie Lanoisélée (embroiderer and textile artist), Dimitry Hlinka (designer) and Nicolas Pinon (lacquerer), who will speak about the award and the association’s innovative methods of experimentation, turning exceptional savoir-faire and collective intelligence into a source of innovation, a unique laboratory of the future of crafts.
With: Hedwige Gronier (director of cultural sponsorship of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation), Marc Aurel (designer and president of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association), Pascale Riberolles (visual artist and secretary of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association) and the award winners Fanny Boucher (photogravure worker), Aurélie Lanoisélée (embroiderer and textile artist), Dimitry Hlinka (designer) and Nicolas Pinon (lacquerer).
Moderated by: Giovanna Massoni (curator).
Disciplines have never been as merged as today. Parisian interior and design rising star Sophie Dries, AD x Land Rover Awards 2022, and Belgian wonderkind Pieterjan will share their experience of combining talents as interior architects, designers and private collectors and how one nourishes the other.
With: Sophie Dries (designer, interior architect, collector)and Pieterjan (designer, interior designer, collector).
Moderated by: Maarten Statius Muller (co-founder Design Art Night).
Starting a contemporary collectible design collection can be daunting when you do not know how and where to start. Collectors Berry Dijkstra (Valencia) and Adrien de Furia (Paris) are taking us to their journey in collecting design, where they started, what has changed in the landscape and how they wish the scene will evolve.
With: Berry Dijkstra (collector) and Adrien de Furia (collector).
Moderated by: Dieter Van Den Storm (Creative director MAD Brussels).
Design history books are predominantly showcasing white cis male, and while female designers have created amazing works, they remain a side story next to the pioneering heroic figures of the male heterosexual designers. Meet designers Anna Aagard Jensen, Julius Vaernes Iversen and Noam Youngrak Son who by their practice are challenging those cannons.
With: Anna Aagard Jensen (Designer, Denmark), Julius Vaernes Iversen (Gallerist, Denmark) and Noam Youngrak Son (Communication designer practicing queer publishing).
Moderated by: Liv Vaisberg (co-founder COLLECTIBLE).
For many contemporary art collectors, design is still a dirty word - it is something functional - ‘how can a chair cost this much?’ However, design has no reason to shy away from the sacred confines of fine art. A young market where you can still play a role as a collector, contemporary design collectibles are increasingly catching the eye of young collectors.
Speakers
Moderated by: Kristen de La Vallière, design curator and editor of say hi to_
With: Edoardo Monti, collector and founder of Palazzo Monti, and also jury member of the Curated Section | Berry Dijkstra, design collector, curator and exhibition maker.
Design has always been marked by a white CIS male stamp. Already during the era of the Bauhaus women were directed to weaving or ceramics which were believed to be more suitable for women. Gender and race stereotypes are very strong in the design sphere. The resurgence of indegenous design and the merging of the craft, art and design disciplines are welcome ways to make this world more inclusive. What can be done concretely to tackle this?
Speakers
Moderated by: Kristen de La Vallière, design curator and editor of say hi to_
With: Simone Brewster, spatial designer and artist, creating furniture, jewellery and environments | Prince Jewiti, co-founder of Artskop3437, the new african art and design powerhouse | Amanda Pinatih, Design Curator at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and co-founder of the Design Museum Dharavi in Mumbai, India.
Beyond taste and gastronomy: Why is Food Design key to our sustainable future?
Food design is, albeit a proper sub-discipline of design, still very recent, unknown and misunderstood. It relates to the process of design and food, mixing different disciplines, such as biology, sociology, genetics, nutrition, anthropology and art. Beyond being creators of 'small portions of pretty food', food designers are committed to conveying a message of the urgency of developing a sustainable future for our planet and their research is far from futile.
Speakers
Moderated by: Axelle Minne, Co-Director of Faim Studio and Artist (Belgium)
With: Nicolas Carbonnelle, Food Regulatory Lawyer, Member of the Brussels Bar (Belgium) | Benjamin Stoz, Curator of the exhibition 'Serial Eater, Food Design Stories' at CID Grand-Hornu (Belgium) | Sonia Verguet, Food Designer (France)
Thriving as emerging collectible designers: How to maintain a healthy environment?
Collectible design is not a discipline taught during design studies, so deciding to focus your career on creating mostly unique pieces or limited editions is not an easy choice. What elements are fundamental to create a healthy ecosystem?
Speakers
Moderated by: Laura Houseley, Founder of Modern of Design Review and MDR Magazine (UK)
With: BRUT Collective, Design Collective (Belgium) | Boris Devis, Founder of the artists' residency alfa.brussels (Belgium), Founder of Everyday Gallery (Belgium) | Amanda Pinatih, Design Curator at the Stedelijk Museum (Netherlands) | Chloé Valette, Founder of the online media and gallery HUSK (France)
Design/Art, Applied Art, Utilitarian or Functional art:
Has functionality changed?
In the noughties, it was called Design/Art or Limited Editions Furniture, way before Applied Art, Utilitarian Art, Functional Art… Terms changes but design remains design because of its function, whether in the initial process or the end-result. However, has this functionality changed? What does ‘function’ mean when we consider the current collectible contemporary design scene? How are emerging designers using functional pieces to convey a strong message?
Speakers
Moderated by: Laura Houseley, Founder of Modern Design Review and MDR Magazine (UK)
With: Arthur Hoffner, Designer (France) | Anna Aagaard Jensen, Designer (Denmark) | Annelies Thoelen, Design Curator, Head of Programme at Z33 (Belgium) | Benoit Wolfrom, Owner and Founder of Functional Art Gallery (Germany)
Veden äärela / By the water: Finnish design
Veden äärellä – In a talk with designers Jonas Lutz, Rasmus Palmgren and LOKAL's founder Katja Hagelstam, we dive deeper into the unique aspects of Finnish design and its close connection to its surroundings.
Speakers
With: Jonas Lutz, Designer (Netherlands) | Rasmus Palmgren, Designer (Finland) | Katja Hagelstam, Founder of LOKAL (Finland)
Undoing the mass production damage: Why are collectible designers turning to re-use of waste materials?
Design has always been marked by choice of material and how they are handled, used and crafted. The current panorama of the young creation shows an overwhelming use of waste material such as leather, jeans, newspaper, plastic, etc. Collectible designers are aligning strong design with a strong ecological message as if they tried to undo the damages of mass production. What sort of practices can be highlighted? Why is there such a predominance these days? And what are the actual impacts?
Speakers
Moderated by: Laura Houseley, Editor in Chief of Modern Design Review, owner of MDR Gallery (UK)
With: Jan Boelen, Artistic Director of Z33 in Hasselt (Belgium) and Atelier LUMA in Arles (France) | Wendy Andreu, Designer (France) | Théophile Blandet, Designer (France) | Roxane Lahidji, Designer (Netherlands)
The collectible design ecosystem: What can we learn from the art world?
Contemporary collectible design is increasingly present on the forefront of the design scene with new events converging art and design. That section of design tends to follow a system that is well known by the art crowd: galleries, representations, fairs, secondary market. This departs greatly from the regular product design system that is made of brands and large studios. If art has developed a reputation of unregulated market, it seems that design is even further from any form of regulations, contractual relationships, etc. Is there anything design can learn from the art market? Is it even desirable? How can we contribute to make this ecosystem healthy and benefitting for the designers?
Speakers
Moderated by: Gabrielle Kennedy, DAMN° Editor (Netherlands)
With: Valérie Maltaverne, founder of YMER&MALTA (France) | Antonella Villanova, Owner and Director of GALLERIA ANTONELLA VILLANOVA (Italy)
Design in public collections: Presentations of three art and design institutions
What does a design collection represent today? How does public and private institutions define the orientation of their collection? How to distinguish it from an art collection? What are the challenges for the selection? What are the issues faced in conservation? What are the iconic pieces? What are the procedures regarding acquisition and donation? Major French and Belgian institutions tried to answer those questions through three presentations: 'The design collection, decorative arts and craftsmanship of the CNAP, the collecting agency of France'; 'The design collection of the Centre Pompidou: from modernity to numerical technology' and 'Design collection in Belgium'. Three stories.
Speakers
Moderated by: Dieter Van Den Storm, Journalist, Curator and Communication Expert (Belgium)
With: Marie-Ange Brayer, Head of the design and prospective industries department of the Mnam-Cci, Centre Pompidou (France) | Sandra Cattini, Head of the design collection and decorative arts of the CNAP - National Center of Fine Arts (France) | Marie Pok, Director of the CID Grand-Hornu (Belgium)
Enriching its exhibition programme, each year COLLECTIBLE devises a diverse programme of talks addressing themes around contemporary collectible design, and invites leading figures from various backgrounds to gather together and discuss specific subjects.
Discover how GOLEM uses unconventional architecture and design to craft immersive brand experiences that elevate a company’s physical presence. In this masterclass, Ariel André, Design Principal at GOLEM, will delve into the ways in which innovative architectural strategies can tap into a brand's core ethos. Through thoughtful design, GOLEM redefines how spaces can resonate with a brand's identity, creating environments that not only reflect but also enhance the brand’s narrative, making the physical experience an integral part of the brand's story.
With: Ariel André (architect & design principal, GOLEM)
AD100 and Elle Decor A-List Interior Designer Oliver Furth brings his unique blend of historic decorative arts and contemporary collectible design to life in his talk, "OP! Optimistic Interiors." Known for seamlessly merging styles and eras with a signature West Coast optimism, Furth’s work celebrates timeless, personality-rich interiors that prioritize individuality and joy over trends. Discover how his irreverent creativity and scholarly approach create magical, balanced homes that inspire a life well-lived. Don't miss this exploration of Furth's visionary design philosophy.
With: Oliver Furth (AD100 and Elle Decor A-List Interior Designer)
Join AD PRO for a panel discussion at COLLECTIBLE on Friday, September 6, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. AD’s Senior Design Editor, Hannah Martin, will sit down with Liv Vaisberg, Co-Founder of COLLECTIBLE; Anne-Sophie Bach from The Invisible Collection; interior architect & designer Kim Mupangilaï; and interior designer Jake Arnold to explore the emerging market of collectible design. The conversation will discuss the blurring line between art and design, the growing interest in this work, and how collectors are integrating these unique pieces into their daily lives.
With: Liv Vaisberg (Co-Founder of COLLECTIBLE), Kim Mupangilaï (Interior architect & designer), Anne-Sophie Bach (US Sale Director, The Invisible Collection) and Jake Arnold (Designer)
Moderated by: Hannah Martin (Senior Design Editor, Architectural Digest)
In the design world, the use of digital tools to shape physical materials is commonplace. At the same time, the climate crisis and an increasingly online way of life, largely brought on by the digital revolution, demand new materials for and approaches to the objects humans make. What kinds of materials does the design industry need now and for the future, and how can we create them? This conversation between Winka Dubbeldam, founder and partner of Archi-Tectonics and professor at Weitzman Architecture at UPenn, and artist Clement Valla, dean of experimental and foundation studies at RISD—whose work lies at the intersection of nature, technology, and material innovation—will explore this question, and the shifts in thinking required to develop and use the materials of tomorrow.
With: Winka Dubbeldam (Architect, Educator, and Founder and Partner of Archi-Tectonics) and Clement Valla (Artist and Dean of Experimental and Foundation Studies at RISD)
Moderated by: Tiffany Jow (Editor-in-Chief of Untapped)
This panel talk will explore the dynamic design scene in New York City, featuring insights from leading designers and educators.
With: Carly Cannell (Parsons School of Design: Director of BFA Interior Design Program), Nathalie Shook (Designer), Kickie Chudikova (Designer), Mzwakhe Ndlovu (Designer) and Kouros Maghsoudi (Designer)
Moderated by: Asad Syrkett (Editor-in-Chief, Elle Decor)
COLLECTIBLE and Pale Blue Magazine present a panel featuring trailblazing AAPI women who are reshaping the design industry, including gallery owners, spatial designers, and museum directors. This thought-provoking discussion will explore how intersectionality has shaped their experiences and fueled innovation in a historically homogenous field. By sharing their personal journeys and diverse professional perspectives, these visionaries will discuss pathways for amplifying diverse voices and reimagining the future of design. Join us for an inspiring conversation that celebrates diversity and challenges industry norms.
With: Karen Wong (Chief Brand Officer, New Museum), Jenny Nguyen (Founder/Global PR, Hello Human), Jean Lin (Founder/Gallerist, Colony Co-op), Sandy Park (Global Sales Director, STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN) and Swati Jain (Architectural Designer, unownspace)
Moderated by: Frances Pak (Co-founder of Pale Blue Magazine)
Join us at WSA for a special celebration hosted by the Female Design Council (FDC), the fair's lead cultural partner. This event honors the winners of the FDC’s Grant program for BIPOC female designers, which offers vital financial support and mentorship to emerging talents.
The highlight of the event is a Special Installation curated by FDC founder Lora Appleton, showcasing works by the first two Grant winners: furniture maker Luam Melake and leather artisan Mia Wright-Ross. As part of the celebration, we invite you to an informal talk and toast with the FDC and the artists.
With: Lora Appleton (Founder, Female Design Council & kinder MODERN), Luam Melake (Senior Researcher at the Healthy Materials Lab and Multidisciplinary Artist/Designer) and Mia Wright-Ross (Leather Artisan, Designer, and Educator)
Moderated by Tione Trice, this panel will examine the intersections of architecture and creative practices across Africa and its diaspora. Experts in design, art, and culture will explore how both traditional and contemporary mediums, including variations in materials, influence the built environment and shape creative expression. The discussion will highlight the diversity and significance of African and diasporic contributions to the global design landscape.
With: Mehdi Dakhli (Artistic Director and Designer), Andile Dyalvane (Ceramic Artist), Dominique Petit Frere (Designer & Founder, Limbo Accra), Mzwakhe Ndlovu (Multidisciplinary Designer & Founder, SUBJECT BUREAUX) and Zizipho Poswa (Ceramic Artist)
Moderated by: Tione Trice (Designer, Collector & Founder, Of the cloth)
This panel talk will explore the dynamic intersection of cutting-edge research and real-world application. This conversation will delve into how academic insights into sustainable design are being translated into practical, impactful solutions in the design field. Panelists will discuss challenges, successes, and the evolving collaboration between scholars and practitioners in creating a more sustainable future.
With: Kiki Goti (Designer, Educator: Parsons School of Design & Pratt Institute), Marte Mei (Designer), Catherine Murphy (Director of Education, Parsons Healthy Materials Lab) and Michael Szivos (Founder of SOFTlab)
Moderated by: Sonya Tamaddon (Curator & Advisor)
Investigating the creative boundaries between design and art involves exploring the areas where the functionality of design meets the personal and conceptual expression of art.
With: Carole Petitjean (Director of Materials and Design, RDAI), Julia Capp (Deputy Managing Director, RDAI), Pauline Leprince (architect, designer & scenographer of the Capsule Formæ, Studio Pauline Leprince)& Isabelle Pascal (Head of Member Community, Material Bank and Contributor, Formæ)
15:00 - Zyva studio: How to commission and integrate collectible design in his unique hyperreal cyberpunk world.
Anthony Authié, a French architect based in Paris. He founded Zyva Studio in 2019, specializing in the fusion of architecture and design. His work extends into Trans-Design, showcasing innovative projects that address global environmental challenges and include furniture design.
15:30 - Bastiaan Kalmeyer: From architect to sommelier and restaurateur and back: a case study.
Bastiaan Kalmeyer co-founded IWT - Instabilitywetrust, an architectural design firm in Rotterdam crafting spatial narratives for diverse clients since 2013. He works spans urban developments to commercial projects, blending architecture, interiors, and design. IWT has been recognized as finalists in prestigious awards like ARC17 Young Architect Award. Bastiaan Kalmeyer is also involved in House of Fundamental, enhancing gastronomic experiences through ventures like Fundamental.restaurant.
Interior Designers Branch into Gallerist and Furniture Design Roles, Transforming the Design Scene
Recently, we have witnessed the emergence of new galleries, many of them spearheaded by interior designers. At the same time, more interior designers are creating furniture pieces initially designed for specific projects, which then evolve into collections. In this interaction between interior designers and the collectible design market, an interesting dynamic emerges. This close relationship shows a good understanding of what customers want but also highlights some gaps in understanding the market. As roles mix and different areas of expertise come together, there is an exciting story of collaboration and exploration unfolding in the design community.
With: Kim Mupangilai (Architect & Designer), Mia Karlova (Designer & Founder of Mia Karlova Galerie) & Max Radford (Designer & Founder of Max Radford Gallery)
Explore the essentials of launching your collectible design journey with. Gain insights into starting your collection, including understanding iconic pieces and navigating the diverse landscape of contemporary design. While much attention has been given to contemporary art and historical design, the realm of contemporary design remains relatively unexplored. Join us as we shed light on this dynamic scene and uncover where to begin your exploration.
With: Liv Vaisberg (co-founder COLLECTIBLE)
In an upcoming discussion, designers will explore the intricate relationship between copy and recycling, accompanied by copyright lawyers who will clarify the distinctions for laymen. The conversation will revolve around the common industry practice of interior designers and brands emulating designs from young innovators, providing insights on how designers can protect their work. Moreover, the session will address the theoretical challenge of distinguishing between homage and pure copy, shedding light on where that line stands in the dynamic landscape of design. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and safeguard your creative endeavors.
With: Dr Julian Waiblinger (Copyright Lawyer) & Pierre Castignola (Designer)
Zaventem Ateliers, born in 2018 concurrently with COLLECTIBLE, is launching its inaugural book, encapsulating how Lionel Jadot brought together dozens of designers and artisans in a former paper mill on the outskirts of Brussels. During a discussion featuring Lionel Jadot and select members of this unique collective, they will share their stories, detailing their growth, collaborative efforts, and the intricacies of their most significant project to date: the renovation of the brutalist 1960s former ex-Royale Belge building, transformed into an expansive hotel and restaurant complex named Mix. Here, the 25 surrounding studios, alongside approximately 20 local designers, have crafted furniture, lighting, sculptures, tapestries, curtains, and other accessories tailored for this unique space.
With: Lionel Jadot (Architect & Interior Designer)
In a market dominated by more widespread Scandinavian or XXth French designs from previous years, understanding the nuances of the often overlooked 80s and 90s era can be challenging. Join us for an insightful talk offering tips for collectors seeking to master the art of blending contemporary collectible designers with vintage pieces from this unique period. Explore how works from this period articulate with today's creations and gain valuable insights into creating harmonious and captivating interiors that seamlessly fuse past and present design aesthetics.
With: Stanley Quaia (Director of Béton Brut Gallery) & Milan Henderickx (Founder of Cour)
Moderated by: Liv Vaisberg (co-founder COLLECTIBLE) & Jean-François Declerq (Founder of Atelier Jespers)
Enfant terrible of the Belgian interior design landscape, Lionel Jadot, founder of the Zaventem Ateliers, will share his experience in involving designers and craftsmen in his public projects of hotels and restaurants, taking the future Mix projects, the Jam hotel Lisbonne and the Food Society in Lyon and Paris as case-studies.
With: Lionel Jadot (architect and designer).
Created in 1999, the Liliane Bettencourt Prize pour l’Intelligence de la Main® is the leading award for French crafts, enabling creativity and innovation of talented designers and craftsmen. The Bettencourt Schueller Foundation is the founding and main sponsor of the Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association, a unique community bringing together 120 outstanding talents, all winners of the Liliane Bettencourt Prize pour l’Intelligence de la Main®.
In the continuity of the support provided by the Foundation, the association’s mission is to contribute to the future of contemporary creation and crafts by introducing experimental research programs, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations and creating bridges with new markets.
Join us for an exciting conversation with Marc Aurel (designer and president of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association), Pascale Riberolles (visual artist and secretary of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association) and the award winners Fanny Boucher (photogravure worker), Aurélie Lanoisélée (embroiderer and textile artist), Dimitry Hlinka (designer) and Nicolas Pinon (lacquerer), who will speak about the award and the association’s innovative methods of experimentation, turning exceptional savoir-faire and collective intelligence into a source of innovation, a unique laboratory of the future of crafts.
With: Hedwige Gronier (director of cultural sponsorship of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation), Marc Aurel (designer and president of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association), Pascale Riberolles (visual artist and secretary of Les Lauréats de l’Intelligence de la Main® association) and the award winners Fanny Boucher (photogravure worker), Aurélie Lanoisélée (embroiderer and textile artist), Dimitry Hlinka (designer) and Nicolas Pinon (lacquerer).
Moderated by: Giovanna Massoni (curator).
Disciplines have never been as merged as today. Parisian interior and design rising star Sophie Dries, AD x Land Rover Awards 2022, and Belgian wonderkind Pieterjan will share their experience of combining talents as interior architects, designers and private collectors and how one nourishes the other.
With: Sophie Dries (designer, interior architect, collector)and Pieterjan (designer, interior designer, collector).
Moderated by: Maarten Statius Muller (co-founder Design Art Night).
Starting a contemporary collectible design collection can be daunting when you do not know how and where to start. Collectors Berry Dijkstra (Valencia) and Adrien de Furia (Paris) are taking us to their journey in collecting design, where they started, what has changed in the landscape and how they wish the scene will evolve.
With: Berry Dijkstra (collector) and Adrien de Furia (collector).
Moderated by: Dieter Van Den Storm (Creative director MAD Brussels).
Design history books are predominantly showcasing white cis male, and while female designers have created amazing works, they remain a side story next to the pioneering heroic figures of the male heterosexual designers. Meet designers Anna Aagard Jensen, Julius Vaernes Iversen and Noam Youngrak Son who by their practice are challenging those cannons.
With: Anna Aagard Jensen (Designer, Denmark), Julius Vaernes Iversen (Gallerist, Denmark) and Noam Youngrak Son (Communication designer practicing queer publishing).
Moderated by: Liv Vaisberg (co-founder COLLECTIBLE).
For many contemporary art collectors, design is still a dirty word - it is something functional - ‘how can a chair cost this much?’ However, design has no reason to shy away from the sacred confines of fine art. A young market where you can still play a role as a collector, contemporary design collectibles are increasingly catching the eye of young collectors.
Speakers
Moderated by: Kristen de La Vallière, design curator and editor of say hi to_
With: Edoardo Monti, collector and founder of Palazzo Monti, and also jury member of the Curated Section | Berry Dijkstra, design collector, curator and exhibition maker.
Design has always been marked by a white CIS male stamp. Already during the era of the Bauhaus women were directed to weaving or ceramics which were believed to be more suitable for women. Gender and race stereotypes are very strong in the design sphere. The resurgence of indegenous design and the merging of the craft, art and design disciplines are welcome ways to make this world more inclusive. What can be done concretely to tackle this?
Speakers
Moderated by: Kristen de La Vallière, design curator and editor of say hi to_
With: Simone Brewster, spatial designer and artist, creating furniture, jewellery and environments | Prince Jewiti, co-founder of Artskop3437, the new african art and design powerhouse | Amanda Pinatih, Design Curator at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and co-founder of the Design Museum Dharavi in Mumbai, India.
Beyond taste and gastronomy: Why is Food Design key to our sustainable future?
Food design is, albeit a proper sub-discipline of design, still very recent, unknown and misunderstood. It relates to the process of design and food, mixing different disciplines, such as biology, sociology, genetics, nutrition, anthropology and art. Beyond being creators of 'small portions of pretty food', food designers are committed to conveying a message of the urgency of developing a sustainable future for our planet and their research is far from futile.
Speakers
Moderated by: Axelle Minne, Co-Director of Faim Studio and Artist (Belgium)
With: Nicolas Carbonnelle, Food Regulatory Lawyer, Member of the Brussels Bar (Belgium) | Benjamin Stoz, Curator of the exhibition 'Serial Eater, Food Design Stories' at CID Grand-Hornu (Belgium) | Sonia Verguet, Food Designer (France)
Thriving as emerging collectible designers: How to maintain a healthy environment?
Collectible design is not a discipline taught during design studies, so deciding to focus your career on creating mostly unique pieces or limited editions is not an easy choice. What elements are fundamental to create a healthy ecosystem?
Speakers
Moderated by: Laura Houseley, Founder of Modern of Design Review and MDR Magazine (UK)
With: BRUT Collective, Design Collective (Belgium) | Boris Devis, Founder of the artists' residency alfa.brussels (Belgium), Founder of Everyday Gallery (Belgium) | Amanda Pinatih, Design Curator at the Stedelijk Museum (Netherlands) | Chloé Valette, Founder of the online media and gallery HUSK (France)
Design/Art, Applied Art, Utilitarian or Functional art:
Has functionality changed?
In the noughties, it was called Design/Art or Limited Editions Furniture, way before Applied Art, Utilitarian Art, Functional Art… Terms changes but design remains design because of its function, whether in the initial process or the end-result. However, has this functionality changed? What does ‘function’ mean when we consider the current collectible contemporary design scene? How are emerging designers using functional pieces to convey a strong message?
Speakers
Moderated by: Laura Houseley, Founder of Modern Design Review and MDR Magazine (UK)
With: Arthur Hoffner, Designer (France) | Anna Aagaard Jensen, Designer (Denmark) | Annelies Thoelen, Design Curator, Head of Programme at Z33 (Belgium) | Benoit Wolfrom, Owner and Founder of Functional Art Gallery (Germany)
Veden äärela / By the water: Finnish design
Veden äärellä – In a talk with designers Jonas Lutz, Rasmus Palmgren and LOKAL's founder Katja Hagelstam, we dive deeper into the unique aspects of Finnish design and its close connection to its surroundings.
Speakers
With: Jonas Lutz, Designer (Netherlands) | Rasmus Palmgren, Designer (Finland) | Katja Hagelstam, Founder of LOKAL (Finland)
Undoing the mass production damage: Why are collectible designers turning to re-use of waste materials?
Design has always been marked by choice of material and how they are handled, used and crafted. The current panorama of the young creation shows an overwhelming use of waste material such as leather, jeans, newspaper, plastic, etc. Collectible designers are aligning strong design with a strong ecological message as if they tried to undo the damages of mass production. What sort of practices can be highlighted? Why is there such a predominance these days? And what are the actual impacts?
Speakers
Moderated by: Laura Houseley, Editor in Chief of Modern Design Review, owner of MDR Gallery (UK)
With: Jan Boelen, Artistic Director of Z33 in Hasselt (Belgium) and Atelier LUMA in Arles (France) | Wendy Andreu, Designer (France) | Théophile Blandet, Designer (France) | Roxane Lahidji, Designer (Netherlands)
The collectible design ecosystem: What can we learn from the art world?
Contemporary collectible design is increasingly present on the forefront of the design scene with new events converging art and design. That section of design tends to follow a system that is well known by the art crowd: galleries, representations, fairs, secondary market. This departs greatly from the regular product design system that is made of brands and large studios. If art has developed a reputation of unregulated market, it seems that design is even further from any form of regulations, contractual relationships, etc. Is there anything design can learn from the art market? Is it even desirable? How can we contribute to make this ecosystem healthy and benefitting for the designers?
Speakers
Moderated by: Gabrielle Kennedy, DAMN° Editor (Netherlands)
With: Valérie Maltaverne, founder of YMER&MALTA (France) | Antonella Villanova, Owner and Director of GALLERIA ANTONELLA VILLANOVA (Italy)
Design in public collections: Presentations of three art and design institutions
What does a design collection represent today? How does public and private institutions define the orientation of their collection? How to distinguish it from an art collection? What are the challenges for the selection? What are the issues faced in conservation? What are the iconic pieces? What are the procedures regarding acquisition and donation? Major French and Belgian institutions tried to answer those questions through three presentations: 'The design collection, decorative arts and craftsmanship of the CNAP, the collecting agency of France'; 'The design collection of the Centre Pompidou: from modernity to numerical technology' and 'Design collection in Belgium'. Three stories.
Speakers
Moderated by: Dieter Van Den Storm, Journalist, Curator and Communication Expert (Belgium)
With: Marie-Ange Brayer, Head of the design and prospective industries department of the Mnam-Cci, Centre Pompidou (France) | Sandra Cattini, Head of the design collection and decorative arts of the CNAP - National Center of Fine Arts (France) | Marie Pok, Director of the CID Grand-Hornu (Belgium)
