A world of style under one roof

"Hosting Decorex Cape in Cape Town holds special significance, says Melanie Robinson, director of Decorex SA. "In an industry where edge is everything, Cape Town's décor and design community is known to push the envelope - and do so through an optimistic fusion of local materials, culture, craftsmanship and technology."

Hosting Decorex in Cape Town and the Western Cape has positive implications for the province's growing business tourism sector, says Nokhuthula Dube, chief executive of Cape Town Routes Unlimited, the destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape.

"While Decorex Cape's achievements confirms the destination's ability to host large-scale exhibitions and trade fairs, the creation of this marketing platform simultaneously showcases the wealth of innovative and creative energy in the province," comments Dube.

Not resting in its laurels, Decorex Cape offers a host of fresh initiatives, special exhibits and installations, together with 250 exhibitors showcasing their products.

"The 21st century is said to be the age of aesthetics, setting huge demands for designers to cross the borders of mere functionality. To provide a showcase worthy of the high quality of the Cape's décor and design industry is of utmost importance, acting as a growth engine for our exhibitors," says Robinson.

The overall show theme 'Nature Influencing Living Spaces' invite visitors to emerge from the cocoon; to rediscover nature and bring harmony to their lives and living spaces. According to Robinson, the back-to-nature trend balances the long hours worked in high-tech spaces. "Consumers are also more conscious of the environment, taking greater responsibility to protect it. Local designs guided by ethics and products that show an honest caring for the environment will fly off the shelves."

Design competition

Sanlam and VISI are putting the spotlight on lighting with a design competition challenging students and crafters to get switched on. The Western Cape design schools participating in this competition are the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the Cape Craft & Design Institute and Boston House College. The designers are invited to look into the future and create inspirational lighting pieces for the home of tomorrow; to think recycled materials, multi-functional and energy saving design.

Decorex also steps into retail with the launch of Decorex Limited, its exclusive new product label.

A one-day discussion forum Talk Show opens the doors to the world of design, with 17 industry experts from Cape Town, Durban, Gauteng and Australia to give their take on the theme 'Towards 2010: The Trends Shaping Design in SA.'

Decorex Cape has won the annual award from EXSA (Exhibition Association of South Africa) as the Best Exhibition of the Year in its category for three consecutive years.