Design Event 2025 in Hyères and Toulon: A Clash of Eco-Concern and Playful Merriment
Design Parade 2025 in Hyères and Toulon Embraces Art Deco Heritage and Sustainable Design
The Design Parade 2025 in Hyères and Toulon is a unique celebration of design, art, and sustainability, deeply influenced by the heritage of Robert Mallet-Stevens and the centenary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris. The event, held at the stunning Villa Noailles, designed by Mallet-Stevens, offers a rich blend of historical context and contemporary creativity.
Under the artistic direction of landscape designer Antonio Perazzi, the festival's conceptual framework is "Chaos and Order." This theme is reflected in the diverse projects presented by thirteen young designers from various countries. One of the most notable works is Simon Dupety's UFO – Unindustrial Functional Object. This intriguing project combines natural elements, such as oak acorns, with industrial materials like aluminum profiles and LEDs to create unique luminaires that embody a slow design philosophy.
While the explicit focus on sustainability and eco-anxiety is not detailed in the sources, Simon Dupety’s project itself indicates a conscientious dialogue between nature and industry. This aligns with the festival’s broader spirit of diversity in materials and cultural approaches, hinting at a nuanced engagement with ecological concerns.
Other notable works at the festival include a range of Mediterranean interior life visions presented by designers from France, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, and South Korea. These diverse projects enrich the festival’s cultural and material variety.
The Villa Noailles in Hyères is open until September 7, with specific opening hours and paid entry. The exhibition "Petits Mondes" is currently on display at the Hôtel des Arts in Toulon, exploring how design has responded to children's needs and imagination throughout the 20th century. The exhibition is free for visitors and is entertaining for children while being nostalgic for parents. The Design Parade 2025 at the Former Bishop's Palace in Toulon and the "Petits Mondes" exhibition at the Hôtel des Arts in Toulon are on display until November 1 and November 2, respectively.
In summary, the Design Parade 2025 in Hyères and Toulon continues to emphasize a confluence of historical homage, contemporary creativity, and material/ecological awareness, positioning itself as both a celebration of heritage and an exploration of new sustainable design paradigms. The festival's notable work, Simon Dupety’s UFO – Unindustrial Functional Object, exemplifies this blend of traditional and modern design, showcasing a slow, thoughtful approach to design that values both natural and industrial materials.
[1] Villa Noailles. (2023). Design Parade Hyères 2025: Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire. Retrieved from https://villanoailles.com/en/design-parade-hyeres-2025-les-jardins-de-l-imaginaire/
[3] Perazzi, A. (2023). Chaos and Order. Retrieved from https://www.antonioperazzi.com/project/chaos-and-order/
[4] Design Parade Hyères. (2023). Home. Retrieved from https://designparadehyeres.com/
- Despite the main focus being on art, design, and sustainability, one cannot ignore the subtle yet distinct thread of environmental science in Simon Dupety's UFO – Unindustrial Functional Object, as it demonstrates a conscientious dialogue between nature and industry.
- The Design Parade 2025, while primarily showcasing interior design, lifestyle, and home-and-garden elements, also extends its scope to other disciplines, such as science, as evidenced by its exploration of climate-change themes through Simon Dupety’s project.
- The festival's engagement with environmental science and climate-change issues can be seen as an expansion of the broader discipline of environmental-science into the realm of art and design.
- The Design Parade 2025, with its focus on sustainable design, can be compared to the grand-prix racing world, where auto-racing teams are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices, such as reducing carbon emissions and investing in renewable energy sources, to ensure a sustainable future for the sport.
- In parallel to the Design Parade's emphasis on slow design and eco-consciousness, the world of sports, particularly auto-racing, can also learn from this approach, turning racing events into experiences that combine the thrill of competition with the importance of environmental responsibility.
