Art & Culture
Celebrating a Century: Art Deco's Legacy Reimagined at the Manufactures Nationales

In 1925, the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts marked the zenith of the Art Deco movement, an era of unparalleled elegance and innovation. A century later, the prestigious Manufactures nationales commemorates this milestone with the groundbreaking Pavilion Program, an initiative that not only pays homage to the iconic style but also champions the enduring art of the decorator-ensemblier

A Sanctuary of Craftsmanship and Vision

Nestled within the historic Gobelins enclosure, a pavilion reimagined by the visionary Studio GGSV serves as the program's heart. This space transcends mere decoration; it's a sanctuary of contemplation and inspiration, where every detail exudes tales of exquisite craftsmanship and boundless creativity. As Hervé Lemoine, President of The Manufactures nationales - Sèvres & Mobilier national, states, "This project illustrates the commitment of the Manufactures nationales to preserving and promoting craftsmanship while adapting it to contemporary demands"

(Image courtesy of GGSV)

The Birth of a New Era: The Manufactures Nationales

Born from the union of the Mobilier national and the Cité de la céramique - Sèvres & Limoges on January 1, 2025, the Manufactures nationales stands as a beacon of French artisanal excellence. This unique public institution, boasting over 53 artisanal trades, aims to spotlight the richness of France's tangible and intangible heritage. With priorities spanning training, research, creation, and international recognition, it is a driving force in the national strategy for craftsmanship. Its impressive legacy includes two museums and nine manufactures and workshops, each a testament to centuries of mastery.

Studio GGSV's Gaëlle Gabillet and Stéphane Villard (Image courtesy of Romain Ricard)
(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)

The Pavillon Program: A Canvas for Contemporary Creativity

The Pavillon Program offers contemporary creators carte blanche to envision the interior spaces of tomorrow, celebrating the decorator-ensemblier - a profession steeped in tradition. Within a 200 m² apartment in the Pavillon d’Angiviller, unique decorative ensembles showcase French excellence, reflecting both present and future lifestyles. This space, destined to host cultural events, conferences, and gatherings, is designed to travel, promoting French savoir-faire globally.

(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)

Studio GGSV: Pioneering the "Salons de l’Imaginaire"

Studio GGSV inaugurates this program with their "Salons de l’Imaginaire," three spaces - the Reception Lounge, the Conversation Lounge, and the Reading Lounge - that redefine decorative ensembles. Gaëlle Gabillet and Stéphane Villard, the duo behind GGSV, bring their signature blend of design, installation, and interior architecture, creating environments that blur the lines between art, architecture, and furniture. Their use of false perspectives and trompe-l’œil creates a unified, unconventional whole, reinvigorating the decorator-ensemblier tradition.

(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)

Inside the Salons:

The Reception Lounge

A dialogue between fixed and applied décor, featuring a grand library of segmented woodturning, hypnotic patterns, and trompe-l’œil 3D perspectives that blend illusion and reality.

The Conversation Lounge

Centered around a generous hexagonal sofa, with walls adorned in textile frames featuring metallic reliefs inspired by foliage, and a ceiling with a transforming luminous sky, fostering dialogue and connection.

The Reading Lounge

A total work of art where pictorial illusion envelops the entire space, inspired by 19th-century romantic landscapes and a Mobilier national tapestry, with furniture integrated into the dreamlike atmosphere.

(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)
(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)
(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)
(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)

A Creative Dialogue with Artisanal Mastery

The project features collaborations with the Sèvres manufacture and the Atelier de Recherche et de Création (ARC) of the Mobilier national, highlighting exceptional expertise in porcelain and woodturning. Pieces crafted from white sycamore and black bog oak reveal unique patterns, with Louis XIII-style twisted columns repurposed as structural elements. Thirteen companies across France, Europe, and Canada contributed, emphasizing a commitment to supporting craftsmanship and living heritage.

(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)
(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)
(Image courtesy of Jean Allard)

This initiative by the Manufactures nationales and Studio GGSV not only celebrates a historical movement but also propels the decorative arts into the future, ensuring that the legacy of craftsmanship thrives.

(Image courtesy of GGSV)
(Image courtesy of GGSV)
Words: Sphere Editorial
Published on May 14, 2025