Durban Decor-ex 2013

It’s the last Sunday and my very first appearance at the aptly named Décor-ex. I realised that I’d just place my hands on my heart over what seemed to be a pretty chilled afternoon of the last day of the Durban exhibition. The crowd flocks in numbers pending the last few hours of the event, clearly in hopes to encounter themselves with bold red prints that exclaim, marked down! -Especially after having eyed the luring items for the past three days of the event, who isn’t willing to skate cheap on a beautiful art piece that was originally worth a solid R18000 three hours before pack up.
 
Russel and I walked in scrutiny as we witnessed the different skills presented in each stall by the exhibitors; their choice in layout, deco-pieces and the overall feel that the brands wanted to convey. As the other went to enjoy the craft beer presentation, I took another run through the stalls looking for something that had incorporated a concrete skill of creativity and detail that would leave me in awe for the evening. Something that said I have never been done before. Such things in creative environments are crucial, even if we don’t see them. This for me was a realisation that we had a few skills missing. There is a considerable uncertainty about how to apply and harness innovation amongst designers; excellence takes many forms, the pursuit of which is a constant journey of inspiration and perseverance.

The stalls and products were undoubtedly beautiful, but one could not help but seek that wow factor in between all that nice stuff. Maybe it is because I walked in with a design indaba mindset that carried high expectations or maybe KNZ still needs to break the box and start bringing in world class concepts and designs to the table. Be it whichever, a guaranteed standout is earned through commitment; when designers start saying good is not good enough to take me there and creating over the guide lines with confidence, because fear is an unconsidered luxury to creative’s. Design is meant to have a sense of humour and I am all for the irony! Plus, I live in Durban where even the weather changes four times a day so don’t be surprised in my saying ideas are best served unique and unpredictable.

Thank you to Plascon for a beautiful evening!

[Beautiful images by Roselt Anne]