Under the soaring neo-Gothic arches of the Offene Kirche Elisabethen in Basel, a new chapter in collectible design quietly took shape. From June 16 to 17, MAZE Design Basel made its debut with the support of F.P.Journe, the esteemed Swiss watchmaker whose presence lent both elegance and credibility to the fledgling salon.
Located opposite the renowned Kunsthalle, the fair offered a refined and tightly curated alternative to the sprawling excess of the usual design week programming. Organized by the same team behind Art Gstaad, MAZE Design Basel brought together a focused lineup of galleries from Paris, New York, Brussels, and beyond — each selected for their discerning taste and contribution to the international decorative arts scene.
The setting was as striking as the works on display. The Offene Kirche Elisabethen, a 19th-century church designed by Zurich architect Ferdinand Stadler, has in recent years been reimagined as a space for culture and community. Its vaulted ceilings, ornate stonework, and stained-glass windows formed a poetic counterpoint to the modern and mid-century pieces displayed.
Among the standout works: the “Fauteuil Coque” in hammered brass by Philippe Hiquily (Galerie Gastou, Paris), the mosaic-clad “Table All Aperto” by Pierre Charpin (Galerie Kreo, Paris), and Philippe Starck’s early industrial-style “Easylight” neon lamp (Ketabi Bourdet, Paris). Each object was given space to breathe — a rarity at most fairs — allowing visitors to engage in dialogue, both with the work and with the gallerists themselves.
For F.P.Journe, whose brand values are encapsulated in the acronym A.R.T. — Authenticity, Rarity, Talent — the alignment with MAZE felt natural. The Manufacture’s longstanding commitment to supporting the arts found a meaningful new outlet in this partnership, one that emphasized substance over spectacle.
The salon’s intimacy was part of its appeal. Unlike larger fairs, MAZE avoided the overload of booths and instead opted for a format that felt more like a private showing or a collector’s salon. Conversations flowed easily beneath the gothic arches, and the pace encouraged deeper reflection — not only on design, but on its evolving place in the culture of luxury.
As MAZE looks toward future editions in Basel and beyond, its successful debut sets a compelling precedent: that even in an increasingly crowded fair calendar, there’s still room — and hunger — for quiet, curated experiences. With the backing of partners like F.P.Journe, the fair is poised to become a fixture in the global design conversation.
For more information, visit F.P.Journe at MAZE Design Basel
