Luthfi Hasan, representative of the Indonesia Interior Designer Association (HDII) said this was the first time for Indonesia to participate in Maison&Objet as a country pavilion.

“Several local brands have participated in the trade show previously, however, this is the first time Indonesia is participating as a country pavilion. The selection process was very thorough, so it’s good that we managed to get into Hall 5, which features a ‘unique and eclectic’ theme, which fits with what we’ll be showing,” said Luthfi to The Jakarta Post via WhatsApp message.

The Indonesian Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) plans to send 25 Indonesian designers and brands to Maison&Objet. The chosen products have undergone a tight selection process by a team of curators helmed by famed designer Francis Surjaseputra.

“Indonesia has been perceived as a ‘production’, as well as material source ‘provider’ country. We make good things, but the designs don’t come from us. [By participating in Maison&Objet] we want to change that,” Luthfi said. “Indonesia has enormous talent in product and interior design who [deliver] high-quality products. We deserve the attention,” he added.

Read also: Elevating Indonesian designers to the right segment: Maison&Objet

With “Tropical Living” as the main theme, the Indonesian pavilion will feature traditional materials such as bamboo and rattan, also highlighting sophisticated tropical colors. Notable participants include Rinaldi Yunardi who has designed a lamp for the Maison&Objet exhibition. Rinaldi is a multi-field designer whose works have graced the world stage via costumes worn by renowned artists such as Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry.

Threadapeutic is also listed among the brand line-up. The designer, Nagawati Surya, also known as Hana, creates tapestries from scrap fabrics using the circular economy business model and featuring community-based up-cycling of used materials.

“Threadapeutic has been making sustainable textiles for four years now, we participated in the selection process after receiving information about the open call,” Hana told the Post via WhatsApp message. “We will feature our tapestries as they showcase the fabrics that we use,” she added.

Initiated by the Indonesian Interior Designer Association (HDII), Indonesian Furniture Designer Association (HDMI) and Indonesian Industrial Product Design Association (ADPII), the Indonesian delegates are being sponsored by Bekraf to debut at Maison&Objet. With the goal of achieving business transactions as well as market share, the designers are also given the opportunity to network and introduce Indonesian designs to international buyers.

“What we are bringing to Maison&Objet are not just things. We want to showcase Indonesian designers and manufacturers’ capabilities. We will show the best samples of what we can do,” Luthfi noted.

Bekraf deputy head Ricky Joseph Pesik said the agency’s involvement in Maison&Objet would facilitate local creative businesses to expand into the international market.

“We hope that our efforts as the facilitator will bring 90 percent b2b deals, and reach sustainable markets,” he said.

Aside from going through a thorough selection process, Ricky said participants were selected for their readiness to do business. “There are working groups that contain curators from various stakeholders. They selected designs that are marketable for platforms like Maison&Objet, artistically as well as production quality-wise,” Ricky explained. “The curators also examined the designers’ production capacity, to ensure that those who are featured in Maison&Objet are ready to do business,” he added.

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