The Covid-19 pandemic has kept us unsure about the future; but now, as the vaccine rollout is underway in South Africa, there is reason to be optimistic. Decorex Cape Town has subsequently re-strategised its plans for the year, and will be launching a Design Takeover in the Mother City – aka South Africa’s Creative Capital and the first African city to be named a UNESCO City of Design – for the month of June.
The takeover will see several activations unfold, both live and online, including the following:
The Cape Town Design Trail is a series of mini-activations that will pop up across the city. These will include product launches, visits to concept stores, staged window displays, private art viewings, meet-and-greet sessions with designers, and exclusive networking functions and trend talks.
Participants will be given access to routes and maps to explore 200 sites in the city over four weekends. There will also be 30 full days of an expanded programme which includes meetings, cocktail parties, open days, workshops, private tours and roundtables.
Participants will be given access to routes and maps to explore 200 sites in the city over four weekends.
Some of the confirmed sites include award-winning furniture design house Haldane Martin, art powerhouse The Norval Foundation, globally renowned ceramic studio Imiso, the vibrant eatery Egg, and incredible designer boutique hotels Gorgeous George and The Silo hotel by the Royal Portfolio.
The Cape Town Design Trail Industry Networking Functions & Talks are designed to bring the community together, to connect, learn and keep the industry moving forwards. These functions target architects, interior designers, specifiers, hospitality buyers, corporate procurement, landscapers, online retailers, product designers, property developers, building contractors and media, and will include things like Trend Talks and product launches.
The Mother City is South Africa’s Creative Capital and the first African city to be named a UNESCO City of Design.
Decorex Africa Online will offer a series of online resources for the design, décor, hospitality and retail communities. These will include a range of content from Decorex Africa’s exhibitors and partners.
The Decorex Digital Design Magazine is a gorgeous new e-magazine that will showcase the latest trends as well as industry news, new products and inspirational stories from Decorex exhibitors. It will also feature the route map and guided tour information for the Design Takeover.
Trade-only Virtual Platform will provide exhibitors and members of the trade (which include local and global buyers) with the opportunity to engage and conduct “business as unusual” online. This will run alongside a real-time exhibition, the details for which will be announced later in the year.
Decorex e-Commerce is a fully-enabled e-commerce site which will allow exhibitors to sell their products and reach new audiences. The platform is perfect for seasonal campaigns and pre-event specials.
Sian Cullingworth, Decorex Africa’s portfolio head (pictured), says, “Decorex Africa, comprising Decorex and 100% Design South Africa, have brought the design community together every year since inception. It remains important for all of us in the industry to combine and conduct our businesses, share ideas, learn from each other, support the greater community and celebrate when and where possible.”
For more information about Decorex please visit decorex.co.za.
