French Design Forum


London, England

3 March 2009


The French Embassy is delighted to be hosting a forum considering new directions for French Manufacturing at the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour.

More and more we are witnessing a new relationship between designers and manufacturers developing. Manufacturers are adopting a more imaginative approach for making contemporary designs which involves collaborating with designers. This work is built on innovation, local resources and traditional skills, creating products with both authenticity and beauty. Consequently the definition of craftsmanship has deepened and young designers are becoming more and more eager to experiment with the craft techniques of the decorative arts, and we are finding that there is a healthy market for the results.

Questions surrounding French manufacturing, collaborations with designers, commercialisation, significance, and integrity will be discussed and debated by a carefully selected panel of professionals and chaired by design connoisseur and critic Max Fraser.

Speakers: Rabih Hage, André Dubreuil, Matali Crasset, Giles Hutchinson Smith (META)

French Design Forum


London, England

3 March 2009


The French Embassy is delighted to be hosting a forum considering new directions for French Manufacturing at the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour.

More and more we are witnessing a new relationship between designers and manufacturers developing. Manufacturers are adopting a more imaginative approach for making contemporary designs which involves collaborating with designers. This work is built on innovation, local resources and traditional skills, creating products with both authenticity and beauty. Consequently the definition of craftsmanship has deepened and young designers are becoming more and more eager to experiment with the craft techniques of the decorative arts, and we are finding that there is a healthy market for the results.

Questions surrounding French manufacturing, collaborations with designers, commercialisation, significance, and integrity will be discussed and debated by a carefully selected panel of professionals and chaired by design connoisseur and critic Max Fraser.

Speakers: Rabih Hage, André Dubreuil, Matali Crasset, Giles Hutchinson Smith (META)