Jil Sander’s Design Talks are back at MATTER and SHAPE, the design salon staged in the Jardin des Tuileries during Paris Fashion Week. This year, the conversations—curated by Dan Thawley and backed by Milan-based platform KoozArch—aren’t just happening in the room. They’re now a podcast.
For those unfamiliar, MATTER and SHAPE is where design, fashion, and architecture intersect. It’s not just about objects—it’s about ideas, and the Jil Sander talks push that further, pulling in voices from across disciplines to discuss everything from the philosophy of domestic space to the impact of temporary architecture.
Podcast Episodes Overview:
1. Welcome from the Curator: The Jil Sander Design Talks at MATTER and SHAPE with Dan Thawley
In the inaugural episode, curator and editor Dan Thawley discusses the second edition of the design salon and the importance of cross-disciplinary conversations, emphasizing the integration of tradition and innovation in design.
2. Philosophy of the Home
Co-moderated by Dan Thawley and Seb Emina, this episode features architect and artist Dima Srouji, designer and TON editor-in-chief Jermaine Gallacher, and P:S Agency’s founder Michela Pelizzari. The discussion delves into personal and professional experiences of the home, exploring tensions between ideal and reality, authenticity and flexibility, and the intergenerational stories embedded in domestic spaces.
3. Building Connections: Architecture & Advocacy
Moderated by Anna Carnick, this conversation includes architects Jayden Ali (JA Projects), Meriem Chabani (New South), Rozana Montiel, and Sumayya Vally (Counterspace). The panel explores the intersection of architecture and advocacy, sharing experiences from projects like Counterspace’s Serpentine Pavilion in London and New South’s Mosque Zero in Paris, underscoring the importance of listening, community engagement, and advocacy in their practices.
4. Architecture at Large
Hosted by Ido Nahari, this episode features Christoph Gantenbein (Christ & Gantenbein), Julia Capp (RDAI), designer Francesco Zorzi (NM3), and Toshiya Hayashi (we+). The discussion addresses architecture’s broader societal roles, touching upon the impact of scarcity, the importance of historical continuity, and the role of beauty in design, while debating the role of architects in creating sustainable and emotionally bonded spaces.
5. 1925-2025
In the final episode, Dan Thawley leads a discussion with design curator Adrian Prieto, Fondation Cartier director Chris Dercon, and Pin-Up Magazine’s editor-in-chief Felix Burrichter. The conversation reflects on a century of design evolution, drawing on the 1925 International Decorative and Industrial Modern Arts exhibition in Paris to discuss the significance of temporary architectures and their historical context.
The in-person discussions may be over, but the conversation doesn’t stop there. The Jil Sander Design Talks podcast is now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and KoozArch.com, offering a deep dive into the intersection of fashion, design, and architecture—where they meet, where they clash, and where they go next.
