**Oui Design! 2024: French Innovation Meets NYC Creativity**
Every spring, New York City becomes an epicenter for global design during the esteemed NYCxDESIGN Festival. For 2024, the spotlight shines brightly on **Oui Design!**, an event that bridges French artistry with New York innovation. Taking place from **May 15 to May 21, 2024**, this week-long celebration will feature an eclectic mix of open studios, workshops, panels, exhibitions, and immersive tours spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Oui Design! encapsulates the essence of French design while fostering cross-cultural collaboration between French and American talent.
This year’s theme delves into the way design connects cultural, social, and natural contexts to create transformative works. With the participation of over **30 design spaces**, both seasoned masters and emerging creatives will showcase their visions, proving that French **savoir-faire** retains its timeless appeal while continuing to evolve for contemporary audiences.
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### **Opening Night at Villa Albertine: Connection in Design**
Oui Design! kicks off on May 15 at the elegant Villa Albertine, setting the tone with an engaging panel exploring how designers build relationships with the world around them. Moderated by **Alexa Griffith Winton**, a design historian from the Cooper Hewitt Museum, the panel features a stellar lineup. **Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance**, a multidisciplinary designer known for integrating sustainability and nature, will share his insights alongside **Jean-Marc Bullet**, whose work reflects on Afro-Caribbean identity. **Terumi Saito**, an acclaimed Japanese fiber artist, adds a global perspective, discussing her efforts to preserve weaving traditions.
Bringing the elegance of French celebration to life, the evening will conclude with a champagne toast, inviting attendees to mingle and reflect on design’s role in fostering cross-cultural dialogue.
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### **Hands-On Experiences and Dynamic Showcases**
The events in the days following offer opportunities to experience the artistry firsthand.
#### *May 16: Design Immersion*
– Ride the creativity wave with a stop at **The Combray Design Studio** in Dumbo, where artisanal embroidered panels and sleek bespoke furniture highlight meticulous craftsmanship inspired by slow design.
– In the Keilhauer Showroom, designer **Laurence Carr** unveils her **zero-waste, nature-inspired vessel collection**, blending sustainability with artistic elegance.
– For those drawn to the interplay of light and history, **Mathieu Lustrerie**’s stunning “Unchained Nature” exhibit in Tribeca reinterprets 18th-century chandelier craftsmanship through a contemporary lens.
#### *May 17: An Artisan’s Playground*
Step into **Le Studio Anthost** in Greenpoint for a rare glimpse into the artistry of gold-leafing and needle-punch textiles. Meanwhile, the **Karen Pearse Showroom** on Fifth Avenue is home to **SWADOH’s “In Praise of the Hand”**, an homage to traditional craftsmanship featuring paper, lighting, and textile artistry.
Later that evening, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance hosts a private tour of his **Made In Situ** collection at **Demisch Danant**, guiding attendees through his exploration of cultural and artistic heritage. The day concludes with a lively gathering at **Ateliers Jouffre** in Long Island City featuring live demonstrations, cocktails, and a DJ—providing a dynamic blend of creativity and celebration.
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### **Weekend Inspirations and ICFF Highlights**
As the weekend arrives, attendees can explore master craftsmanship through **Ateliers Courbet Gallery Tours** or experience a multisensory delight with **Combray’s Design + Dance Performance**, where movement intersects with artistry.
The pinnacle of the festival is the **International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF)** at the Javits Center, held from **May 19 to May 21**. This expansive showcase boasts over **450 brands** from the furniture and home décor world, seamlessly merging with WANTED Design for an unforgettable, innovation-led finale to the week.
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### **An Ode to French Design**
Throughout the festival, ongoing exhibits pay homage to the enduring innovation of French artistry. Highlights include **Ronan Bouroullec’s “Lampes Sèvres”** at Villa Albertine, an installation celebrating innovative lighting design, and Studio Gohard’s avant-garde integration of **AI with traditional craftsmanship**, exploring the intersection of technology and timeless artistry.
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### **Why Oui Design! Matters**
More than a mere showcase, Oui Design! represents a movement to foster dialogue between cultures. Supported by the **Institut Français** and led by **Villa Albertine**, **Albertine Foundation**, and **Mobilier National**, this initiative amplifies the global exchange of ideas in design. Moderator Alexa Griffith Winton aptly notes, “This isn’t just a celebration of French design but a conversation across continents about sustainability, identity, and preservation.”
In an age when design serves as both a functional and cultural medium, Oui Design! highlights how traditions can coexist with contemporary innovation. Whether you’re a design professional, an art enthusiast, or simply curious, this event invites you to discover the boundary-pushing power of French creativity alongside New York’s thriving design scene.
Mark your calendar for May 15-21, 2024, and let Oui Design! inspire a renewed appreciation for the art of making. From cutting-edge installations to time-honored techniques, this celebration proves design has the power to connect and transform. **Oui** truly means **yes**, and in 2024, it’s a resounding yes to design at its finest.
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