K-design housewares and crafts draw attention in Paris

Korean-designed housewares, lifestyle products and crafts — including kitchenware inspired by the traditional gat hat — drew strong interest in Paris.

The Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP) opened a Korea Design Pavilion at Maison & Objet alongside 20 domestic companies. The fair ran from Thursday through Sunday (local time) in Paris.

This year's Korea Design Pavilion featured 20 companies with strong potential for overseas expansion and exports, including Gotae, Naelna, Neulpum, Dot Design Lab, D-Rising and Moseori. The participating firms showcased small home appliances, lighting, stationery and kitchenware, highlighting the sensibility and competitiveness of K-design on the global stage.

The pavilion drew steady interest from buyers in global retail, distribution and design, generating a total of 905 business consultations during the fair. Representatives from major international retailers — including luxury department store Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, lifestyle retail chain Virgin Megastore, the Fondation Louis Vuitton cultural and arts venue, and lifestyle concept store Merci — visited to discuss product placement, distribution and collaboration opportunities.

One buyer who visited the pavilion said Korean products showed a high level of design refinement, with each brand carrying a distinct identity. "We were able to confirm the competitiveness and potential of K-design," the buyer said.

KIDP President Kang Yun-ju said the institute would work to identify promising domestic design companies and strengthen support for their overseas expansion so they can grow on the world stage.