On the occasion of the 9th edition of the Design Parade festival organised by Villa Noailles, and the exhibition dedicated to emerging talents in interior design in Toulon, the French Institute in India, through its Villa Swagatam programme, and æquō gallery are joining forces to offer the winner of the  Villa Swagatam x æquō Prize the opportunity to explore India’s artisanal savoir-faire during a creative residency, and to produce a space that will be unveiled exclusively at the India Art Fair in New Delhi in February 2026.

This partnership stems from a strong commitment to promoting a dialogue between India and France rooted in making, bringing together influential cultural organisations such as Villa Noailles and the unique production ecosystems that æquō gallery has successfully identified and promoted since its founding in 2022 by entrepreneur, patron and collector Tarini Jindal.

Located in the heart of Mumbai’s historic district, æquō gallery has French designer Florence Louisy as its artistic director. Through collaborations with both Indian and international designers, æquō seeks to revive forgotten crafts from across the country and reinterpret them through new forms.

It is this material-driven practice that the French Institute in India aims to support. Today, the Villa Swagatam network includes 30 residencies across India, France, and more recently, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It hosts Indian and French artists for residencies of one to three months, enabling them to immerse themselves in various production ecosystems. In this spirit, Villa Swagatam and æquō gallery wish to offer emerging talents from Villa Noailles a similar opportunity. The choice of materials and artisans with whom the resident will collaborate will be decided at a later stage, depending on the winner’s project and artistic vision.

The outcome of this residency will be unveiled at the next edition of the India Art Fair in Delhi – India’s oldest contemporary art fair, which has, since 2024, dedicated a part of its exhibition space to collectible design. As an internationally renowned platform and a longstanding partner of the French Institute in India, the India Art Fair is deeply committed to supporting and professionalising emerging international talent.

Having welcomed the world in Hyères and Toulon, Villa Noailles is now sharing the savoir-faire that built its reputation, opening up new horizons and breaking down boundaries between creative disciplines.

Villa Noailles was one of the first modern constructions of Europe. Designed in 1923, the rationalist villa built for Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles by Robert Mallet-Stevens hosted the avant-gardes of the 20th century.

Designated as a contemporary art centre of national interest in 2017, the Villa Noailles art centre has been open to the public since 2003 and offers a programme focused on fashion, design, architecture, photography, and interior design. Every year, the public and professionals explore several exhibitions and festivals, workshops for children and families, artist residencies, a digital programme, and publications. The institution is committed to supporting new generations of creators and presenting research on the history of the building and the patronage of its original commissioners. The art centre enhances its programme and welcomes the public and artists across four venues in Hyères (Clos Saint-Bernard, Château Saint-Pierre, Villa Romaine, Roches Curel) and two in Toulon (Ancien Évêché, Hôtel des Arts TPM).

The Villa Noailles annual programme is marked by three major festivals – the International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories – Hyères (since 1986), the Design Parade Festival (since 2006), and the Pitchouns Festival (since 2010) – and also extends beyond its walls. Villa Noailles has received several designations: Historic Monument, Contemporary Art Centre of National Interest, 20th Century Heritage, Remarkable Garden, and Maison des Illustres. It is a founding member of the Plein Sud network and a member of the networks d.c.a. (French Association for the Development of Contemporary Art Centres) and Iconic Houses.

Villa Swagatam is a network of residencies run by the French Institute in India to promote the mobility of artists, designers, and authors and to foster cultural exchange between France, India and the South Asian region.

Since its launch in March 2023, Villa Swagatam has grown to include some of the most distinguished cultural institutions and organisations in design, crafts, and artisanal production across France and South Asia. This has resulted in unique creative collaborations that highlight the immense potential that emerges when artistic traditions, techniques and perspectives from both regions intersect.

æquō is the brainchild of founder Tarini Jindal Handa and creative director Florence Louisy, who met in Paris in 2019 and discussed the lack of spaces dedicated to collectible design in India. At its core, the gallery aims to connect global creatives with the country’s craft heritage to develop new perspectives and unique design languages.

The word æquō is derived from equal in Latin, and the masterpieces created in partnership with the gallery give weight to both designer and technique.

India Art Fair (IAF) is the leading platform to discover modern and contemporary art from South Asia since inception in 2008, offering a unique access point to the region’s thriving cultural scene and bringing together galleries, artists, private foundations, arts charities, artist collectives, national institutions, cultural events, and festivals. The fair runs a robust and extensive programme of events, including educational initiatives, artist commissions, and pop-up programmes, to increase audiences for the arts in India and globally.

India Art Fair is owned by Angus Montgomery Arts India Pvt. Ltd.