marie adam-leenaerdt invites guests to build the runway with modular stools in paris

"For her Fall/Winter 2026 presentation in Paris, Marie Adam-Leenaerdt transformed the conventional fashion show format into a collective act of making, designed by villa eugénie. Guests arrived to find stacks of compact black stools placed around an empty hall. Each attendee picked up a seat and positioned it along taped lines on the floor, gradually shaping the runway space themselves."

"At the center of the concept is a simple, utilitarian object: a folding plastic stool branded with the designer's name. Lightweight and stackable, the modular pieces function as seating, stage prop, and structural element. Arranged side by side, they form a perimeter that frames the runway. The repeated black forms introduce a rhythmic geometry that contrasts with the otherwise raw atmosphere of the venue."

"The installation reflects the guiding ethos of Marie Adam-Leenaerdt's FW26 collection, which explores making with care, embracing imperfection, and simplifying the process of DIY production. The scenography allows irregularity instead of presenting a perfectly controlled environment. Each guest places their stool slightly differently, creating subtle shifts in spacing and alignment."

Marie Adam-Leenaerdt's Fall/Winter 2026 Paris presentation reimagines the fashion show format as a collective making process. Guests arrive to find stacked black folding stools and position them along taped lines to create the runway space themselves. These lightweight, modular stools serve multiple functions as seating, stage props, and structural elements, arranged to frame the runway with rhythmic geometry. The installation reflects the collection's core philosophy of making with care, embracing imperfection, and simplifying DIY production. Each guest places their stool slightly differently, creating intentional irregularity and an unfinished aesthetic. The stools remain visible throughout the show, serving as constant reminders of the audience's collaborative role in shaping the environment and transforming a traditional fashion ritual into a shared spatial experience.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine