As for its former editions, the opening weekend of this 4th Design Parade at the Villa Noailles in Hyères (Var, France) was a celebration on design - offering an eclectic mix - by inaugurating its summer-long exhibitions and appointing its design awards. The ‘grand exhibition’ this year was for Berlin-based designer Jerszy Seymour, who prolongs his days on the road as an amateur – meaning passionate, lover – sharing some of his utopian ideas in the swimming pool and the squash court of the villa. With ‘Being There’ he and his gang of amateurs continues questioning contemporary society values, transforming the pool into a river of thoughts, statements, memories and objects, while in the squash room he was ‘playing ball’ with his colourful potato starch, smashing the walls in a Pollock way.

The nine participating young designers to this year’s concourse were judged by a jury presided by Jasper Morrison.

The Grand Prix of this contest was awarded to the French ECAL graduate Antoine Boudin, who proposed a chair for the Villa Noailles named D’Eici se vei l’Almanarre, a tribute to the first tubular furniture designs created during the early days of the villa.

The SEB Design Award - a major sponsor - went to the Paris-based Japanese Emi Yatsuzaki – a graduate from ENSCI-Les Ateliers – with My Mug, a coffee maker with a smile, its lid recalling a Smurf’s cap.

The Public Prize was awarded to the Paris-based French/Colombian Felipe Ribon, a graduate from ENCSI-Les Ateliers with his Another Bathroom project, an original approach where textiles replace the usual ceramics. Original ideas for future thinking on bathrooms in make shift houses.

Co-sponsor Camper, represented by Miguel Fluxà as a jury member, awarded a separate prize to Frenchmen Antoine Boudin and Julien Renault, by offering a six-days workshop at the Camper premises in Inca, Majorca.

Besides a few other exhibitions, a premiere this year is a work-in progress exhibition on the villa’s glorious past: its bedrooms showcased many new acquisitions – objects, photos and paintings about the villa’s rich cultural heritage. To be continued.

The 5th edition will take place from 2 until 4 July 2010.
Regulation of contest 2010 as of 16 November 2009 - Entries please!