This past September, I walked Shoppe Object in Paris for the first time in my home city, and I must say it was a lovely experience. All around, good vibes. A refreshing change after many years of walking Maison & Objet, whose tone has been quite the opposite; with each passing year, the show seems to get smaller.
Without going too deep into the state of trade shows, I think what we all need, and are craving these days, is in-person experiences, or for it to be not only worth the investment and our time, but also fun. I must say the team at Shoppe Object did an excellent job not only cultivating relationships and creating an experience for all but also curating a space allowing for all the products and independent brands to shine.
Many talented independent brands were shown, but here are a few that particularly caught my eye.