For the first time in its 42-year history, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals, Decorex, turned virtual for a three-day digital experience. From 17-19 November 2020 the show welcomed design professionals from across the world, with over 4,000 unique visitors participating in the virtual event – 69% from the UK and 31% from overseas.
Decorex’s Event Director, Sam Fisher, comments: “It was amazing to see the global interior design community reunite, albeit digitally, at Decorex Virtual last week. Despite being virtual, it still felt like the celebration of design that we are used to at our physical event, and makes us all the more excited to welcome the industry back to Olympia next year.”
Decorex Virtual presented an unmissable opportunity to source new products, from the world’s leading designers to emerging brands, which attendees met through face-to-face video and live chat facilities. Exhibitors included Aldeco, Cameron Design House, Haberdashery, Romagno Marmi, Tom Faulkner and V&A.
Attendees were inspired by online multi-sensory experience, The Great Escapes, where five hand-picked designers – Campbell-Rey, Elicyon, Dauley Design, Louise Wicksteed Interiors and VSP Interiors – created 3D visualisations of their ultimate ‘happy places’. The three-day Talks Programme was packed with thought-provoking debates on design-led topics and key issues facing the industry today. Highlights include House & Garden in conversation with interior designer Susie Atkinson and cutting through the greenwash with ‘Sustainable Sourcing For Interior Designers’.
The Decorex Design Awards were judged by Alison Henry of Alison Henry Design Studio, Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design and Sara Cosgrove of Sara Cosgrove Design Studio. Fabric and wallpaper brand Newton Paisley won Best Exhibitor Profile with their intricate and elegant designs, all created and hand-drawn by conservation biologist Susy Paisley. The Best Sustainable Product was awarded to furniture maker Angus Ross for his Prism Chair in ash with a rush seat. VSP Interiors scooped up the award for the Best Great Escape with their Rococo retreat and ceramicist Katie Spragg was awarded Best Future Heritage Alumni. A Special Award from the judges for their attention to diversity went to the Turquoise Mountain organisation and specialists D&A Binder were awarded Best Product for the Haberdashery Counter.
Designer, David Wilder Interior Design, said: “Whilst there is nothing like meeting people and their products, the virtual meetings have been great to get to know suppliers both new and existing. Meetings this way can even be more productive as they are “1-to-1″ focussed. I am sure that it has been helpful for exhibitors to see us in our own habitats too!”
London-based lighting design atelier Haberdashery launched Bloom, a new lighting collection inspired by the first blooms of spring and Orchid Edition showcased a stunning new rattan double headboard using traditional techniques and natural materials combined with their signature modern aesthetic. Award-winning mosaic artist Julie Vernon exhibited for the first time as part of the Design Nation showcase, presenting a brand new collection of hand-crafted circular mosaic wall art. Stereo Interiors launched Sumatra, a brand new woven raffia wallcovering and 14 new designs in a range of colourways as part of a new linen wallcovering collection and SBID award-winner Tigermoth Lighting presented Compass, an elegant lighting collection with natural marble detailing.
There’s still time to catch insights from Decorex Virtual’s Talks Programme, explore the digital design spaces of The Great Escapes and discover the latest product launches that you might have missed. Simply register or log in here to access event content is available on the platform until 10th December.
