If you find yourself in Paris this March, you’re likely bracing for the whirlwind of Fashion Week – the frantic pace, the runway shows, the sheer saturation of style. But tucked away in the serene greenery of the Jardin des Tuileries, something much calmer, yet equally vital, is happening: MATTER and SHAPE. 

At a Glance: MATTER and SHAPE 2026

• Dates: March 6th – 9th, 2026
• Location: Jardin des Tuileries, Paris 
• Exhibitors: 60+ global exhibitors
• Visitors: Over 20,000 total visitors since its 2024 debut (with over 8,000 attending the previous edition alone)

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It’s an annual design salon that refuses to behave like a standard trade show. Born in 2024, it has rapidly become the place where the worlds of design, architecture, art, and fashion collide. It’s not just about selling furniture; it’s about a dialogue. And for its third edition, taking place from March 6th to March 9th, 2026, the conversation is going big- or perhaps, very small.

MATTER and SHAPE 2026 theme: A Study in “Scale”

This year, Artistic Director Dan Thawley has set a compelling anchor for the salon: Scale.

Drawing inspiration from Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau’s iconic S, M, L, XL, the 2026 edition invites us to rethink our relationship with the objects around us. Whether it’s the minute detail of a handcrafted vase or the monumental architecture of a pavilion, scale is the lens through which we view our contemporary world.

It’s not just a theoretical exercise, either. You’ll find exhibitors presenting work across every conceivable production level – from one-off collectible pieces born in intimate artisan workshops to the complex outputs of global supply chains. It’s an honest look at the “scales of justice” in design: where things come from, who made them, and the ethical weight of our consumption.

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Matter and Shape, NO GA stand

Why design is having a “fashion” moment

For a long time, the design world lacked the po – -cultural megaphone that fashion enjoys. But as Dan Thawley aptly puts it, “If I had done this interview 10 years ago, I probably would have said to you that fashion has never been more fashionable. Now that’s true of design.”

MATTER and SHAPE is the celebration of that shift. It’s a space where the aestheticized public—those who obsess over runway collections—are finding a new home in the world of high-end industrial and object design.

There’s a beautiful crossover of sensibilities happening here. You’ll find fashion buyers, architects, interior designers, and curious design enthusiasts all rubbing shoulders in the Jardin des Tuileries. It’s less “stiff trade fair,” more “curated cultural exploration.” 

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Matter and Shape 2025, stand Transparent

What to expect at the 2026 Salon

• The Architecture: Two ephemeral pavilions designed by the multidisciplinary London/New York-based JA Projects (led by Jayden Ali).
• The Curation: A global lineup featuring icons and innovators like Ann Demeulemeester — Serax, Byredo, Flos, Iittala, Mutina, and Vitra, alongside a host of emerging talent.
• The Experience: It’s not all standing and staring. With a dedicated café, a reading corner, and a robust calendar of talks, the salon is designed for lingering.

Matter and Shape 2025, stand Vitra

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone who appreciates the intersection of craft, industry, and aesthetics, this is the place to be. MATTER and SHAPE isn’t just about showing products; it’s about questioning why we show them, where we show them, and how they define our modern homes.

Why Visit?

Visiting MATTER and SHAPE offers a rare chance to see the design world through the high-energy lens of Paris Fashion Week. This isn’t your typical, static furniture fair; it is a living dialogue between craft, industry, and culture.

The 2026 edition centers on the theme of “Scale,” inviting you to explore how proportions—from the micro-detail of a collectible object to the macro-impact of industrial production—shape our daily lives. You’ll experience a world-class curation within two stunning ephemeral pavilions designed by JA Projects, set against the historic backdrop of the Tuileries.

Beyond the exhibitions, the salon serves as a vibrant social hub. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee in the designer café, browsing the new reading corner, or attending a talk with global thought leaders, you’ll be part of a community that is actively redefining what 21st-century design looks and feels like.

Matter and Shape 2025, stand Ymer & Malta

MATTER and SHAPE, March 6-9, 2026
Location: Jardin des Tuileries, Paris

Size: 60+ exhibitors, with over 8,000 visitors 
Open to general public and professional
Paid admissions, special price for students
Visit Matterandshape.com for info and tickets