Perhaps as a response to increasing digitisation and mass production, contemporary craft is experiencing a renaissance. From London to Seoul, galleries are reporting a surge of interest in pieces that bear the traces of their makers’ hands and celebrate the inherent beauty of natural materials. While demand for vintage design remains strong (works by 20th-century figures such as Diego Giacometti and Claude Lalanne have recently reached seven-figure sums at Christie’s), the appetite for contemporary collectibles has blossomed over the last two decades.

A key force behind this surge has been PAD, Patrick Perrin’s prestigious art and design fair, which has been held annually in Paris for 25 years and in London for 18 — and this summer will open in Saint-Tropez for the first time. “Saint-Tropez has always attracted artists, writers, designers and creatives, which naturally encourages a dialogue between art, design, craftsmanship and lifestyle,” says the show’s executive director, Flore Serin de Ségogne.

The event will draw 20 French and international galleries specialising in historical and contemporary design, alongside artists’ jewellery, to Maison Jean Despasson on Place des Lices, an address with an eclectic cultural pedigree. “Both Mayfair and Saint-Tropez attract highly international audiences with a strong sensitivity to culture, aesthetics and craftsmanship. In both places, there is a community of collectors and creatives who appreciate timeless quality and seek meaningful, curated experiences,” adds de Ségogne.