Reference Festival Expands to Paris with 'FREIE KUNST' During Art Basel Paris
The 2026 edition of Reference Festival, titled "FREIE KUNST," is set to take place in Paris from October 22 to 25, marking its expansion from Berlin to align with Art Basel Paris. This festival will delve into themes of contemporary creative freedom through a variety of talks, performances, installations, and workshops. Notable participants include Donna Huanca, Julian Charrière, Shayne Oliver, Eartheater, Richie Hawtin, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, with the Cité de la Mode et du Design serving as the main venue. In other news, Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro featuring a 48 MP Fusion camera and A20 Pro chip, while Prada transformed its Milan base into an eight-floor hub. Dr. Martens debuted "With Bouncing Soles" starring Chloë Sevigny, and Le Specs introduced 55 new eyewear styles. Vagabond presented Ilona for Autumn/Winter 2026.
Key facts
- Reference Festival runs from 22 to 25 October 2026 in Paris under the title "FREIE KUNST".
- The festival expands from Berlin to Paris during Art Basel Paris.
- Participants include Donna Huanca, Julian Charrière, Shayne Oliver, Eartheater, Richie Hawtin and Hans Ulrich Obrist.
- The Cité de la Mode et du Design is the central venue, with events also in private salons, nightlife spaces and cultural institutions.
- Apple's iPhone 18 Pro features a 48 MP Fusion main camera with variable aperture, the A20 Pro chip, improved battery life, a smaller Dynamic Island and an Apple Reference Image feature.
- Prada expands its Milan Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II home into an eight-floor destination with a permanent Pradasphere exhibition tracing its history from 1913.
- Dr. Martens launches the "With Bouncing Soles" platform with an AW26 campaign featuring Chloë Sevigny, Jordan Stephens and Naomi Watanabe.
- Le Specs releases 55 new eyewear styles for September 2026, including 14 hero styles such as Thorned, Velvetine and Salacious.
- Vagabond Shoemakers introduces Ilona for Autumn/Winter 2026, updating its Lykke kitten-heel line with a wider, subtly curved heel.
Entities
Artists
- Donna Huanca
- Julian Charrière
- Shayne Oliver
- Eartheater
- Richie Hawtin
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Chloë Sevigny
- Jordan Stephens
- Naomi Watanabe
- H.R. Giger
Institutions
- Reference Festival
- Art Basel Paris
- Cité de la Mode et du Design
- Apple
- Prada
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
- Pradasphere
- Marchesi 1824
- Osservatorio Fondazione Prada
- Dr. Martens
- Le Specs
- Vagabond Shoemakers
- Milan Fashion Week
- Reference Studios
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Berlin
- Germany
- Milan
- Italy