LE DESIGN DÉFILÉ: FRENCH DESIGN TAKES THE RUNWAY AT MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2026

Images courtesy of Le Design Défilé

Showcasing a Multifaceted Vision of Contemporary French Design (April 20 to 26)

During Milan Design Week 2026, the Brera district becomes the stage for Le Design Défilé, a curated exhibition that reframes furniture as something dynamic—engaged with movement, the body, and time. Presented by the French Living in Motion collective, the project brings together Le FRENCH DESIGN and l’Ameublement français to showcase a multifaceted vision of contemporary French design.


LE FRENCH

Held from April 20 to 26 at Via Statuto 11 in the heart of Brera Design District, the exhibition presents 53 pieces spanning diverse typologies, materials, and design languages. At its core is a scenographic concept by Jakob+MacFarlane, who transform the display into a fashion-inspired runway. Constructed from locally sourced wood and designed for full post-event recycling, the installation extends across indoor and outdoor spaces, guiding visitors through a choreographed spatial narrative.

LAFUMA MOBILIER | ALKI

This runway becomes both structure and metaphor—positioning furniture as evolving forms that interact with gesture and perception. The exhibition unfolds across two distinct yet interconnected sections. The first brings together 15 indoor and outdoor pieces selected for their expressive, process-driven approach—what the curators describe as “Lyric Design.” Works by figures such as Andrée Putman, Constance Guisset, and Elliott Barnes highlight a sensitivity to material, craftsmanship, and narrative, rooted in France’s decorative arts tradition.

Presented by Magran Living

CLEN X MANADE

The second space shifts focus to 13 established and emerging houses—including Ligne Roset, Fermob, and Maison Sarah Lavoine—each presenting three signature pieces that articulate their identity. The exhibition underscores the breadth of French design today, while aligning around shared values of durability, eco-design, and responsible production.

CLEN X MANADE

GAUTIER