Refocus, regroup, indulge your senses, reconnect with your inner self, with others and with the environment. January 2023 will be all about taking care of each other, of our expertise and of our planet. From 19th to 23rd January, Maison&Objet Paris is set to shine a light on these highly meaningful forward focused values. The theme is set to sweep across the entire trade fair, even rippling out to the talks and the trend zones.
Where: Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center
When: 19-23 January
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The major social, economic and political upheaval we are all currently experiencing is inciting everyone to stand up for their convictions. It is also encouraging brands to be more transparent, inclusive and responsible when reaching out to consumers, who are themselves more invested than ever in the way in which they engage with brands. Now is a time for straight talking, taking action and being open minded, even if that means beating a drum in order to drive forward change. The design on show at Maison&Objet will look to challenge the modern day aesthetics of what is Beautiful and provide a springboard for what is Good.
Taking care is something that has become a veritable necessity at a time when we are all actively seeking meaning and tranquillity. The January edition of Maison&Objet Paris is set to breathe life into something that is now deemed an absolute must.
"When deciding on our themes, taking a close look at modern day society always serves as our starting point. Today, the second we step outside, we are hit with cultural, environmental and identity issues. Society is craving new models, and that is something that brands can deliver, providing solutions that target the environment, safeguard expertise, or encourage us all to care for others or focus on our own wellbeing. What we are interested in is the rising voices that are picking up that gauntlet. The under 25s that make up Generation Z are impatiently waiting for something
to be done. Today, a new set of ethics are dictating the type of consumer activity we are seeing." - analyses Vincent Grégoire, Creative Director at the NellyRodi design consultancy.
Above and beyond the increasingly responsible approach being adopted by the trade fair itself (recycling 50% of waste, using more and more LEDs, storing and reusing signage, donating unsold food to the Red Cross, sourcing water locally and turning down the heating), an ever increasing number of exhibitors at Maison&Objet Paris are themselves keen to defend these pivotal values with a view to shaping a desirable and inclusive future.
There is Noma, for example, the French design house that works solely with recycled materials. Or la Ciergerie des Prémontrés which perpetuates the traditional expertise inherited from the Pères blancs monks at l’Abbaye des Prémontrés. Other good examples would be Care by me, the Danish brand that designs soft and warm clothing ranges and accessories, or Laines Paysannes whose rugs are crafted solely from locally sourced materials. These are all just a tiny handful of so many stands that bring joy to our hearts and meaning to our interiors.
Taking care of yourself
Brands and designers are now looking beyond simple aesthetics to come up with increasingly meaningful creations that invite us to take care not only of our bodies, as is the case with Waterrower’s wood and metal sports equipment, but also of our mental health. "There is a huge trend for solutions dedicated to wellness and physical health, which suffered so much during the pandemic," explains Vincent Grégoire.
The January trade fair will encourage visitors to take their time and clear their heads in spaces such as the 'What’s New?' trend zone, curated by Elisabeth Leriche and appropriately named "In the air" as an invitation to openly embrace lightheartedness and relaxation. Trend spotter François Delclaux will encourage us to get onboard with "Slow Hospitality" by whisking us off on a journey that inspires us to take the foot off the accelerator. The soon to be announced "Designer of the Year" meanwhile, will put together a peaceful and atmospheric space to help us disconnect from the stresses of daily life.
Taking care of nature
"Whilst some visitors come to the trade fair to hunt for exciting new finds, others browse the aisles looking for benchmarks, meaning and ways of tackling social issues, notably ecology," Grégoire explains. For a number of years, the trade fair has been awash with up and coming socially minded brands, who are proactively embodying a "brand new ethic that is finding a foothold amongst consumers, echoing the slow living trend", the trend hunter continues. These include La Fabrique à Sachets, which inspires us to give nature a helping hand by sowing our own seeds, or Dopper which is highly committed to fighting the good fight against single use plastic bottles with its own attractive, ingenious and sturdy vessels. Knife maker Jean Dubosc meanwhile, designs pieces whose handles are made from waste plastic that has been collected and recycled in France.
For the past few years, the brands that boast the most exemplary CSR initiatives have, indeed, been singled out by an independent jury of experts to feature on the trade fair’s "Sustainable" itinerary.
It is also worth noting that as of December, Maison&Objet’s digital platform, MOM, is set to showcase products that can help us save energy, a testament to just how red hot - or perhaps that should be green hot - the topic is this season.
François Bernard’s zone 'What's New?' that helps visitors home in on new trends will shine a light on the relationship between raw materials and nature in an installation titled "Grounded", illustrating a new kind of luxury that sees gold and glitter make way for simplicity.
Taking care of and showing an interest in others
"A huge number of brands are now committed to reforging links between generations, social classes and cultures, and as such are looking beyond simple aesthetics," Grégoire explains.
Maison&Objet tracks down and celebrates hot new talent every single year, and the January edition will place seven Spanish "Rising Talents" firmly in the spotlight, all hand picked from the country’s vast pool of up and coming talent by some of its more well established design names. These talents all represent a socially minded generation, with their creations echoing the widespread desire to care for the world around us. Those self-same values are shared by the three design talents that have been invited to be part of the new "Future on Stage" program, which allows recently launched brands to showcase their convictions.
Also, in a carte blanche given to Ukrainian designers entitled "The art of resilience", Maison&Objet wants to show that Ukrainian design, like all of us, no matter where the war has dispersed us, survives and even grows. Designers are still creating, launching new collections and producing. A tribute to the courage and spirit of freedom of this generation that is helping to write the history of design.
Taking care of our heritage and expertise
"The world boasts an abundance of expertise that we all turned our backs on for a good many years. Today, however, brands are increasingly placing the accent on all things local. Reine Mère works with wood from the Jura region. Cristel’s saucepans are 100% Made in France. Then there are designers such as Samuel Accocebery who collaborates with craftsmen in the Basque country, or Youssouf Fofana from Maison Château Rouge, whose creations celebrate this French capital’s district. They all reflect a mindset that is underpinned by a sense of commitment and the desire to root design in a specific region, drawing on local expertise and culture", explains Vincent Grégoire.
Young brands and centuries old firms present at the trade fair are all keen to ensure this valuable heritage gets passed down to future generations. In France, brands such as Drugeot, Delavelle and Sollen are giving French cabinetry a resolutely twenty first century spin with collections that flaunt overtly contemporary silhouettes AS’ART, meanwhile, selects pieces from South Africa, encouraging and promoting traditional expertise with a view to contributing to the socio-economic development of artisan communities.
Build bridges between the world’s different cultures, facilitate new ways of creating and enjoying interiors and design, perpetuate exceptional artisan trades and propel them into the future, shine a light on new and meaningful initiatives that drive forward innovation that is precisely what the January edition of the Maison&Objet Paris trade fair promises to do from 19th to 23rd January 2023.
About Maison&Objet
For 25 years, Maison&Objet, organised by SAFI, has been engaging with and bringing together the international design, home decor and lifestyle communities. Maison&Objet’s trademark? Its unique ability to generate connections and accelerate business, both during trade fairs and via its digital platform, but also through its unique talent for highlighting trends that will excite and inspire the home decor world. Maison&Objet’s mission is to reveal talent, spark connections and provide inspiration, both on- and off-line, thereby helping businesses grow.
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Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe (CSIE) has released the itinerary for the cruise ship interiors industry’s best opportunity for in-person learning, Cruise Conversations Live. Cruise lines, interior designers and outfitters can learn from their peers at topical conference sessions, while intimate workshops explore the challenges specific to cruise ship interior design with pinpoint precision. From blue sky thinking for leaders and buyers to practical takeaways for suppliers, every participant in the cruise ship interiors supply chain can learn from this free conference programme.
Cruise brands leading the conference and workshop programme include Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Group, Damen Shipyard, Meyer Turku, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises.
Shipyards are the heart of the European cruise ship interiors industry and CSIE will be welcoming Vesa Uuttu, Director, Head of Architectural Design & Outfitting Turku site, Newbuild and Innovation, Royal Caribbean Group to moderate the keynote conference, The Modern Shipyard. Project managers and owners alike know that a strong relationship with their shipyard is one of their biggest assets. In this session, essential for project managers and owners alike, Bas Loohuis, Commercial Director Maintenance & Upgrade Services Cruise, Damen Shipyard and Petteri Heimo, Head of Hotel Outfitting, Meyer Turku will share their perspective, exploring: how shipyards can add value to newbuild and refurbishment projects, top tips for ensuring both quality and efficiency and how to combine reference ship requirements with innovation.
Anyone hoping to launch their business into the cruise ship interiors industry must attend the workshop Marine Design 101: How to Break into the Marine Market. Led by Beatrice Siri, AVP Architectural Outfitting Europe, Royal Caribbean Cruises, this intimate session decodes the language of marine design and will guide attendees through the seemingly labyrinthine specification process. Practical takeaways will include the top ten questions to ask cruise lines when pitching your product, the different routes to market and, crucially, how to become an authorised supplier.
Designers with an eye for the future will be found at the day one keynote The Futurist: Cruise Design in 2030 and the day two conference session Young Designers: Designing for Gen Z and Beyond. From those who track trends to those who are currently shaping the trends, the CSIE conference presents two insights into trapping lightning in a bottle and getting it right before its even happened.
Cruise Conversations Live takes place over the two days of Cruise Ship Interiors, 30 November – 1 December. It’s completely free to visit and one of only two opportunities in the year to attend a live conference and workshop programme dedicated to exploring the cruise ship interiors industry.
Register to receive your free pass here.
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The Sustainable Design Summit (SDS) brings together brand owners, designers, and trusted suppliers from across cruise, hotel, and aircraft interiors to cross-pollinate ideas alongside leading sustainability experts.
Taking place on 29 November 2022 at The Brewery London, SDS is the first event of its kind to unite these three sectors to discuss sustainability as it dominates conversations and market drivers.
In just one day, delegates will gain actionable insights from the panels of experienced practitioners, discover a showcase of intrinsically green products, and come away with a framework for tangible steps to take into their next interior design project.
Sustainable Design Summit tackles the biggest challenges of designing sustainably head on; their crucial plenary Pitching to Stakeholders: How to Hold a Conversation About Sustainability unites the decision makers of all three sectors, including Bryan Liska, Director of Design Caribbean & Latin America Hilton Hotels, Thomas Westergaard, Consultant at Hurtigruten Expeditions sand Tasha Jackson, Sustainability Boeing.
Chatham House Rules will be in place for sector specific breakout sessions, where each sector can frankly and openly discuss the unique challenges of designing sustainably for that sector, the niche governance informing sustainability progress in that sector and what the delegates as brand owners require from certification societies and the supply chain. View the full Agenda here.
The onsite product showcase will be displaying the most forward-thinking sustainable products across the aviation, cruise, and hotel interiors industries. The products were selected with a keen eye on energy efficiency, weight saving, re-cycling and reusing, and reducing carbon footprint. Thought-provoking products include lighting company Cristallux and their zero waste, 100% recyclable alternative material Alamar and Continental’s breathable upholstery material, including the VyP Coffee range created using spent coffee grounds. Aviation specialists Anker will be showcasing their AIRlight ECO surface material made with 100% recycled yarn while Volume Creative will give a glimpse into Spared, a creative service that turns waste destined for landfill into beautiful objects.
Ahead of Sustainable Design Summit, speakers revealed what they were most interested in learning and sharing with the delegates. Alan Stewart, Company Director at SMC Design highlighted his desire for sustainability guidance from classification societies and collaboration with IMO, ‘In order to be truly sustainable, we need to have some type of guidelines in place. There needs to be some sort of classification to allow us to understand just how sustainable products and materials are before we design with them. We'd also like to welcome working with classification societies and receive guidance from them on sustainability.’
Meanwhile Thomas Westergaard, Consultant, Hurtigruten Cruises expressed interest in hearing from how other brands were including sustainability in their value propositions. He wanted to see how ‘important is it for companies to attract not only tomorrow's travellers, but today's travellers.’
Speaker Luke Pearson, Co-founder and Director, Pearson Lloyd, said of seeking cross-disciplinary solutions to sustainable design questions, ‘Working in a multidisciplinary studio, across lots of different fields, we regularly find that we're able to take good ideas from one area and apply them to another. Ultimately, that approach is the one we’re going to have to take if we're really going to solve this problem, because we have very little time to solve it.’
Book your pass today to collaborate with leaders of the cruise, hotel, and aircraft interiors sectors on shaping the future of sustainable interior design.
Our curated calendar of key industry networking opportunities and events for the interior design community features annual trade shows, exhibitions, conferences and design festivals, as well as the latest CPD training, talks, and online webinars.
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For the September 2022 edition, following the past two years surrounded by our own four walls, Maison&Objet Paris is inviting visitors to step inside the new kind of world we’ve all been dreaming of, echoing a deep-rooted need for meaning and emotion.
When: 8-12 September
It’s a fact, the times in which we are living have sparked a yearning for interiors that strike a subtle balance between being anchored in the real world, surrounded by artisan pieces, craftsmanship and tactile materials, and, at the other end of the spectrum, an appetite for digital living, free of all physical ties. Maison&Objet Paris illustrates this social undercurrent with its “META SENSIBLE” mantra, which paints a picture of a physical world that is no longer in opposition with its digital counterpart. Better still, the two worlds are mutually influential, cross-fertilising and even merging to become a brand-new media for creation, communication and distribution. It is a concept that was forged by the NellyRodi agency, and will be rolled out through a range of different activities come September.
A vast number of designers and makers have, indeed, already got on board with the trend, seeing homes as protective nests with curvaceous silhouettes whose bubble-gum decors are paired with iridescent hues for a new phantasmagorical feel. Objects, fabrics and furniture all draw on a naive or dreamy repertoire. In the age of an ultra-pixelated metaverse, the (real) home exudes a soft and uplifting vibe. In that vein, the brands like Pink Stories, PolsPotten, Mojow or Italian firm Saba – which has already started retailing its sofas NFT form – already look set to be absolute musts.
Once again this year, Maison&Objet Paris will clearly be so much more than simply a trade fair: it will be a place that invites visitors to explore unique sensory experiences and tap into tomorrow’s trends. As well as the “in” event (at the Exhibition Centre), Maison&Objet Paris will also host “off” events (Paris Design Week) as well as “on” events (online via the MOM digital platform and the Maison&Objet Academy). Proof itself that hybridisation is now a firm fixture within decoration, design and lifestyle community, too!
The Designer of the Year – Cristina Celestino – will stage an enchanting new restaurant design in the Signature space in Hall 7. Bonjour Bonjour Bonjour The 'What's New?' programme, meanwhile, will showcase the inspiration spaces put together by Elizabeth Leriche, François Delclaux and François Bernard. These three trend-spotters are returning to the trade fair once more to share their hottest finds for the autumn season, with colour-packed installations that are guaranteed to deliver a decidedly upbeat experience.
That same curative vibe will filter through to every part of the event, with Maison&Objet Paris shining a light on innovation right across the board. Visitors will be able to engage with emerging brands (that have been awarded the new Future on Stage label), discover the new guard of French designers (Bina Baitel, Samuel Accoceberry, Charlotte Juillard and Pierre Gonalons, will be presenting their self-productions for the first time ever in the heart of the Signature space in Hall 7), and meet the up-and-coming stars of the Dutch design scene, who are honoured in this edition’s Rising Talent Awards section and were carefully hand-picked by a high-flying jury (Ineke Hans, Hella Jongerius, Kiki Van Eijk and Wieki Somers).
The “Cook & Share” sector (Hall 3) is also set to be yet another of this edition’s absolute musts. It will give visitors the chance to discover dishes rustled up by Gault & Millau’s carefully curated “109” selection of chefs who are already on track for becoming some of French gastronomy’s biggest names. “Waww la table”, meanwhile, will blow a breath of fresh air through the world of tableware, using installations to demonstrate just how much the sector’s traditions have changed. The team will also invite the jury that judges its year-end table setting contest (India Mahdavi, Thierry Marx and Stéphane Bern) to award prizes and host a one-off talk.
The edition’s final flourish will come in the form of Paris Design Week, Maison&Objet Paris fringe event, which will set up home in three of the capital’s most buzzing neighbourhoods and will also embrace the trend for all things “phygital” (part-physical, part-digital). The importance of craftsmanship and new ecological solutions will notably take centre stage at the Paris Design Week Factory at the Espace Commines. Digital design, meanwhile, will be the focus of numerous exhibitions, showcasing creations from designers and architects alike. A record number of showrooms will also be open right across the capital, with a special itinerary inviting visitors to cast their eyes over Parisian stylists’ favourite furnishings.
Opening in the heart of Clerkenwell’s design quarter during Design Week 2022, RAK Ceramics is launching their inaugural Design Hub – a go-to destination for designers, architects and developers looking to explore the possibilities of choosing RAK Ceramics products for their projects.
The Design hub will feature the first UK display of a brand-new collaboration with renowned fashion designer Elie Saab which will feature a range of edits from the Elie Saab Maison collection.
To mark the opening several renowned European designers will provide their Design Insight in a series of inspirational talks and seminars during Clerkenwell Design Week.
These include Giuseppe Scutella, who collaborated with RAK Ceramics on its luxurious RAK-Cloud and RAK-Petit collections and Federico Sandri, one half of the design duo behind the beautiful RAK-Variant collection. Guests at the Design Hub opening events can also hear from Patrick Norguet, on the thinking behind the RAK-Valet sanitaryware range.
Tours of the Design Hub will take place during the launch party on Tuesday 24 May, with guests invited to enjoy a cocktail and evening entertainment to mark the opening ceremony.
For a full list of events and to book visit the Clerkenwell Design Week website.
About RAK Ceramics
RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world. Specialising in ceramic and grès porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets, the company has the capacity to produce 123 million square metres of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 1 million pieces of faucets per year at its 22 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, RAK Ceramics serves clients in more than 150 countries through its network of operational hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia.
ARCHITECT@WORK reaches higher than ever before with lofty ambitions to explore air and architecture when it returns to its physical format at London’s Truman Brewery for its 2022 edition.
When: 13th & 14th April, 13:00 - 20:00
Where: The Truman Brewery, London
Visitors are invited to attend and meet industry experts showing their innovations to the architecture and specifier markets, as well as partaking in the stellar line-up of talks; for which the show is known.
This year A@W will feature panel discussions focusing on topics including: the future of public space design, biophilia, the utilization of airspace and many more.
In addition to the panel discussions running throughout the two-day event, visitors can explore the curated content on display. In order to ensure the optimal contact between exhibitors and visitors, visitors are automatically led along a route that winds its way through small, uniform modules. First contact takes place at the stand.
Every single product on display has been thoroughly assessed by a jury of architects and interior designers, and traditional aisles are transformed into lounge areas: places to enjoy a drink, to chat and to provide further explanation about innovative products, applications or services.
PURE OXYGEN, a materials curation designed by MaterialDriven, will explore the key role that design plays in supporting our society, protecting us from contaminated air as well as actively purifying and regenerating it. As visitors immerse themselves in the exhibition, they will delve into innovative solutions that are available to designers and architects, which will help them secure our future and make a positive impact on the world.
Click here to register for free access, or here to find out more about the exhibitors.
After a year of virtual events, Surface Design Show is getting ready to host the design industry again enabling people to meet, be updated on the latest surface materials and designs, be enthused by its unique content and educated by a range of talented speakers who have come to tell their inspiring design stories.
When: 8-10 February, 2022
Where: Business Design Centre, London
With over 160 exhibitors signed up to participate, including over 35 New Talents, the UK’s leading event for architects and designers to explore the best in surface material innovation is getting ready to make up for lost time and is back with some much-loved areas as well as some new ones for visitors to discover.
Many of the exhibitors will bring to the show an abundance of new product launches, inspired by the theme ‘Sense of Place,’ with the goal of putting humanity and the planet's wellbeing at the heart of all decision making.
In the realm of new product launches, Armourcoat, a decorative surface finishes specialist, has just announced the launch of its new natural clay lime plaster ‘Clime,’ adding to their ever-growing sustainable product range.
Surface Matter will also be displaying its sweet materials pop-up shop stand. The stand is inspired by Surface Matter’s material studio in London Fields which is described by architects and designers as a ‘sweet shop for materials.’ Visitors to the stand will find anything from LED lights sprinkled like 100s and 1000s, to chocolate bars made of compressed paper composite Richlite and circular Plasticiet lollipops.
There will be a comprehensive talks programme with over 50 speakers from diverse design backgrounds. New for this year are the ‘Legends Live’ sessions, taking place on the Main Stage and involving industry leaders interviewing someone in or connected to the industry who is their ‘Legend’.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the Stone Gallery, which in partnership with Stone Federation GB, brings to Surface Design Show an exclusive preview of natural stone. The Stone Tapestry, curated by Squire & Partners, is a bespoke installation piece exploring innovative textures, light, colour and pattern to create a tapestry of inspiring materials from around the world.
Italy’s Confindustria Marmomacchine will, for the first time, be bringing a pavilion of 10 natural stone companies to exhibit in Stone Gallery.
One of the highly anticipated and unique parts of the show is the New Talent section. Supporting new talent is a key focus for Surface Design Show. This year over 35 participants, will display a range of sophisticated and innovative designs, from textile designs featuring augmented reality to 3D tiles of eco resin and waste materials. Many of the participants this year also show a recurring focus of using natural materials and dyes.
New Talent is curated by Trendease International and held in Partnership with Canon UK.
Each year visitors also look forward to Surface Spotlight Live, a focal point of inspiration for designers to touch and compare the very latest material prototypes. Sustainability is the key for SSL as developers look to bring to market an extraordinary range of materials.
Surface Spotlight Live will highlight the Show’s ‘Sense of Place’ theme and will be curated again by trend and colour expert Sally Angharad and held in Partnership with CD (UK).
About Surface Design Show Surface Design Show is the UK’s leading event for architects and designers to explore the best in surface material innovation. It is the place where people immerse themselves in the latest materials for the built environment, gain new insights and network with like-minded designers and specifiers. Revealing the latest innovations in surface design, over 175 UK and international suppliers will showcase their materials at the Show.
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Maison&Objet makes a return in March 2022! Following a theme of Inspiration, expect to see a heap of new luxurious furnishing and product designs.
For 25 years, Maison&Objet, organized by SAFI (a subsidiary of Ateliers d'Art de France and RX France), has been engaging with and bringing together the international design, home decor and lifestyle community. Its hallmark? Its unique ability to generate connections and accelerate business, both during tradeshows and via its digital platform, but also its unique talent to highlight trends that will make the heart of the home decor planet beat. Maison&Objet’s mission is to reveal talent, spark connections and provide inspiration, both on- and off-line, thereby helping businesses grow.
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Such is the direction in which the brazenly buoyant luxury sector is heading, exploring new paths that draw on haute-couture artisan craftsmanship and high technology on the one hand, and pop culture and the values of inclusivity on the other. This new phenomenon has served as inspiration for the upcoming edition of Maison&Objet, underpinned by the desire to showcase the very best of design. “When people come to Paris, it is to tap into an expertise and this one-of-a-kind lifestyle, which can be found nowhere else,“ explains Philippe Brocart, the trade fair’s General Manager. Vincent Grégoire, trend hunter at international style and innovation consultancy NellyRodi , offers his own insight into this increasingly strong craving for luxury: “in uncertain times, people feel the need for something different, the need for emotions and experiences, the need to push fantasy to its limits.”
Echoing these emerging trends, at the January fair the premium selection will be concentrated in hall 7’s appropriately named “Signature” section, bringing together the industry’s most creative brands and designers. This zone, which will complement the ever lauded uniqueness of the Craft, métiers d’art sector in hall 5A, is set to host a number of exceptional events:
About Maison&Objet and more Through two yearly tradeshows reserved to professionals, Maison&Objet Paris - and Paris Design Week, a public event in September that gathers all the creative energies of designers and brands altogether in the City of Lights, Maison&Objet is the essential platform for companies and designers who want to thrive in the home decor industry.
Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and member of Dubai Council, registrations are now open for Downtown Design, the region’s leading fair for high-end and quality design. The fair returns this November and will take place in its purpose-built venue on the waterfront terrace in Dubai Design District (d3).
David Ross, Director, Downtown Design, comments: “With the return to a live, in-person edition of the fair this November, coinciding with demand for interior design and architecture services at levels not seen across the region for many years, Downtown Design will provide a perfectly timed, exciting and purposeful platform to reconnect the industry and celebrate original and high-quality design.”
Downtown Design Dubai
When: 8-12 November 2021
Where: Dubai Design District (d3) waterfront, United Arab Emirates
SBID Members can access exclsuive brand activations & tours with the Trade Connect Programme. Email [email protected] to find out more.
Over the past decade, Dubai has established itself as the design capital of the region, with Downtown Design as a key meeting point bringing together the region’s interior designers and architects who this year are enjoying a post-pandemic boom, fuelled by some of Dubai’s highest property sales in 12 years.
The fair will showcase more than 150 international and regional exhibiting brands and designers, complemented by extensive collateral activities that include an interactive talks programme featuring global industry experts, conceptual exhibitions by leading designers and interactive installations.
A key feature of Dubai Design Week, the fair will host brands from over 20 countries as well as major national representations from European countries including Austria, France, Hungary, Italy and Spain. Downtown Editions, the fair’s boutique section dedicated to limited-edition and bespoke design, will once again uncover the latest in design by individual designers, studios and creative collaborations, with a spotlight on the region.
Downtown Design will showcase the latest global interior design trends, ideas and inspirations featuring over 150 leading international and regional brands, with highlights including furniture from LEMA, Minotti, Giorgetti and Vitra; textiles from Illulian, Kvadrat and Verdi; major kitchen and bathrooms brands including Grohe, Villeroy & Boch, Laboratorio Mattoni and RAK Ceramics as well as lighting brands including Lasvit from the Czech Republic, Baranska Design from Poland and Shakúff from the USA.
The Italian national presentation, 'Luxury Interiors – The Art of Italian Design' from ICE, will be the largest in the fair’s history, featuring over 40 Italian companies showcasing their latest work whilst the French presentation by Business France will bring fine examples of the 'Art de Vivre' – with over 15 companies that combine traditional savoir-faire with avant-garde innovation. Spain’s design sector will present a united installation from ICEX with eight leading brands curated by Dubai-based Spanish architect Juan Roldán; WKO, Austria Economic Chamber will showcase seven leading homegrown furniture, lighting and accessories manufacturers and the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency will present the work of emerging national designers under their ‘Budapest Select’ umbrella brand.
Downtown Editions will present a boutique showcase of limited-edition and bespoke pieces from designers and brands including Aline Hazarian, The Line Concept, Nakkash Gallery and Zieta Studio alongside emerging regional creative talents. These individual exhibits will be complemented by a range of showcases uncovering the latest in design from the region, including The Beirut Concept Store, which will feature works by 50 established designers and emerging creatives based in Lebanon, while the UAE Designer Exhibition 2.0 is set to unveil works by 25 emerging and undiscovered creative talents based and producing locally. The works of four designers selected by Tashkeel for the 2021 Tanween Programme will also be unveiled at the showcase.
The Forum at Downtown Design will host a series of compelling live interviews and discussions between leading regional and international architects, interior and product designers on each afternoon of the fair.
Staged in a dynamic amphitheatre specially designed by ema to promote interaction and engagement, The Forum is a space where professionals can engage in energising and candid design dialogue, with topics ranging from changing industry dynamics, behaviours and opportunities to how architecture and design can truly embody authenticity and place, and from implementing sustainability in the real world with real clients to placemaking and the future development of Middle Eastern cities.
International speakers contributing to the Forum include design studio founders Sebastian Herkner, Elliott Barnes, Gregory Gatserelia, Massimo Iosa Ghini and Adrien Gardère. In addition, Micael Calatrava, CEO of Calatrava International LLC, will discuss the current flow of their global projects with particular emphasis on their creation of the UAE Pavilion and the Qatar Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.
More than a dozen areas of key importance to the broad spectrum of visitors to Downtown Design will be addressed in panel discussions, with contributions from leading lights of the regional architecture and interior design community including Jonathan Ashmore, Founder & Principal Architect, ANARCHITECT; Laura Bielecki, Group Design Director, Ellington; Pallavi Dean, Founder & Creative Director, Roar; Andy Shaw, Managing Partner, AMA and Chair, RIBA Gulf Chapter; Diane Thorsen, Design Director, Gensler and Isabel Pintado, SVP Design & Innovation, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Visitors will be immersed in an interactive installation at the entrance to the upcoming fair, which will bring together contemporary design and technology in a unique multisensory experience. Designed by award-winning Dubai-based studio NIU, the highlight of this year’s entrance will be an oversized mosaic clad caricature by artist Antonello Blandi, which will be decorated by Fantini Mosaici, one of Italy's leading brands of hand-cut mosaics found in luxury boutiques, homes, hotels, and palaces. The installation will also be strategically illuminated with sustainable, innovative lighting from Artemide.
Dubai-based Broadway Interiors has designed The Lounge Bar for Downtown Design 2021, creating an eclectic, stimulating environment inspired by the Dubai landscape and vista. Situated in the main exhibition area, The Lounge Bar will provide another important yet informal meeting space for brands and buyers to connect, and comprises two distinct sections including an outdoor water-facing terrace.
Downtown Design will also give visitors the opportunity to comfortably network and foster contacts in The Lighthouse Café created by prominent Dubai-based practice Lulie Fisher Design Studio and inspired by Virginia Woolf and her Bloomsbury Set contemporaries. Featuring a large, boldly patterned and richly coloured mosaic feature wall by Trend Middle East, the café will include a custom-built bar counter clad in matching mosaics and topped by a timber canopy that will sit beneath the tented exhibition roof.
About Downtown Design
Downtown Design is the leading platform in the Middle East for the region’s trade professionals to discover original, high-quality design and the commercial centrepiece of Dubai Design Week. Alongside brand debuts, product launches and the latest collections from contemporary international and regional design brands, Downtown Editions, the fair's boutique showcase for limited-edition design presents established and emerging designers, collectives and individual studios from around the world, with a spotlight on the Middle East. Offering visitors a dynamic design experience, Downtown Design’s curatorial approach encompasses large-scale installations and specially commissioned projects by leading designers. The fair’s programme of talks, The Forum, annually brings global design leaders, strategists and editors together to discuss the industry’s most pressing matters.
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Changes to the way we travel, work, rest and play post-Covid are forcing hotel designers to rethink the entire guest experience. Hotel Interiors Experience (HIX) 2021 explores how these social shifts have transformed the role of hotels, highlighting the opportunities for operators beyond these pressure points.
When: 18th - 19th November 2021 Where: Business Design Centre, London
Visitor registration is free! Click here to register now.
As Europe’s hotel and hospitality industry sets about rebuilding its recovery and in-person events make their return, the launch of HIX 2021 marks an important moment for the hotel community: a new event for the hotel sector dedicated to making inspirational and extraordinary design experiences.
HIX will showcase the most exciting established and emerging design-led brands in a boutique exhibition alongside a conference which will explore the story of social change over the past 18 months, setting the scene for 3,500 hotel industry professionals to share ideas that will transform the guest experience.
Joel Butler, co-founder of HIX, said: “All Together Now has been our mantra since the first UK lockdown. When a group as creative and energetic as the hotel design community are separated from one another for so long, this rallying cry seems like a pure and simple objective for HIX.” The hotel design community have endorsed HIX: Henry Reeve, director of interior design at the InterContinental Hotels Group, said the event represents “an exciting new opportunity for the Hotel design scene [as] disruption and new thinking are required now more than ever.”
The exhibition will offer a visual showcase of ‘100 design stories’ where cutting-edge suppliers including Chelsom, Morgan, Sanderson Design Group, Hansgrohe, Hypnos and Villeroy & Boch, from across the entire hotel and design supply chain including bathroom, fabrics, FF&E services, furniture, lighting, surfaces and technology. Each stand will tell its own unique story, providing designers, interior architects, developers, suppliers, and hotel operators with an opportunity to see first-hand exceptional design concepts and experiences. “Right now, HIX is exactly what the hotel design community need. We can't wait to be back at an authentic community event”, said Ilker Hussein, global projects corporate director, Laufen.
Running parallel to the exhibition will be the HIX talks, featuring six seminars, each exploring one of the seismic social shifts to have occurred since the start of the pandemic. Starting in a challenging place of anxiety and the need for hotels to carve a new value proposition, moving towards community and togetherness, trust, compassion and new opportunities for hotels as workplace. Among the speakers confirmed are Robbyn Carter, founder of Brooklyn’s new Studio Carter; Vince Stroop, founding partner of stroop; German design visionary and owner of sieger design & SIEGER, Christian Sieger; and, globally renowned London-based studio, Tina Norden, partner at Conran and Partners; Jason Steere, managing director of brand & experience at The Student Hotel; and Technology and communication leader Dex Hunter-Torricke, formerly of Google, Facebook who will share insights in building trust and meaningful loyalty with communities, specifically tomorrow’s Generation Z travellers.
About HIX Hotel Design Interiors (HIX) 2021 is an annual exhibition for the hotel and hospitality supply chain, taking place over two days 18-19 November 2021 at London’s Business Design Centre. The event will bring together the entire design and interiors supply chain, including bathroom, fabrics, FF&E services, furniture, landscaping, lighting, objects, outdoor, spa & wellness, surfaces, technology plus many more, with the designers, interior architects, specifiers, project management, hotel operators, procurement, consultants and developers involved in bringing the guest experience to life.
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