The design and lifestyle landscape in India is set for a vibrant cross-cultural showcase as the second edition of Art de Vivre à la française prepares to debut at India Design ID 2026, with France designated as the event’s Country of Honour. The exhibition — running from 18–22 February at the NSIC Grounds in Okhla — will spotlight curated French design excellence alongside Indian creative voices, underscoring how international craftsmanship and local innovation are shaping future urban aesthetics and built environments.
Positioned within the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, the Art de Vivre forum is more than a cultural exposition; it acts as a platform for design diplomacy and business exchange. The initiative brings together 16 leading French design houses — spanning furniture, lighting, decorative textiles, home accessories, tableware, lighting and sound equipment — within a 350 m² immersive scenographic space designed to illustrate how materiality, lifestyle and functional design converge.Key participants include maisons known for their enduring craftsmanship and modern innovation, such as Baccarat crystalware and Le Creuset cookware, along with contemporary technology-infused creators of lighting and sound equipment. The diversity in presentation — from artisanal crystal sculptures to high-fidelity audio design — reflects evolving consumer expectations in home environments, where functional design increasingly intersects with sustainable materials and user experience.
For urban planners and real estate professionals, Art de Vivre’s emphasis on curated spaces and material intelligence resonates with broader shifts in residential and commercial interiors. Cities are seeing heightened demand for spaces that blend utility with wellbeing and aesthetic appeal, influencing how designers, architects and developers prioritise colour, texture, lighting quality and spatial ergonomics in urban housing and office environments. Cross-cultural exhibitions help local practitioners benchmark new ideas and solutions against global standards.A highlight of the India Design ID programme will be the Indo-French Design Dialogues on 19 February, co-organised by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Business France, in partnership with Atout France. This dialogue series will feature leading designers and architects from both countries exploring themes such as material innovation, sustainable design practice, creative collaboration and heritage craftsmanship, spotlighting how design can act as a cultural bridge and economic enabler.
The emphasis on design as an economic driver aligns with urban development priorities, where the integration of local artisanship within global value chains delivers not only commercial opportunities but bolsters creative industry ecosystems. Design ID’s platform allows Indian craftsmen and enterprises to interface with international counterparts, enhancing global visibility and opening new markets for Indian design talent.
Moreover, this edition’s inclusive programming signals a shift toward experience-led retail and cultural tourism in urban centres, as exhibitions become hubs where visitors interact directly with creative processes. As cities evolve into lifestyle destinations, such initiatives contribute to vibrant public realms that attract investment, enrich cultural literacy and support creative economies.
