Material & Colour Trends

Design Indaba Expo 2014, Cape Town

Mar 17, 2014 by Irene Vermeulen

Design Indaba is Africa's annual celebration of creativity. At the 3 day conference influential designers and thinkers share their latest projects and insights. At the expo, makers and designers from South Africa show their products. Craftscurator traveled to Cape Town, World Design Capital in 2014, and handpicked the best products on show.

South African designers are eager to experiment, and therefore interesting use of material was to be found at the Design Indaba Expo and Guild Design Fair. Ceramics in earthy tones, with either a matt and textured surface, or a metallic shine.

Basketry and beadwork is a craft practiced much in South Africa. Many women in townships work on making baskets and beaded products. Craftscurator made visits to these workshops in townships.

Mohair textiles are typically South African, and many designers work with felt, embroidery and crochet techniques.

Craftscurator spotted a lot of rich and earthy colors, often combined with a bright blue or cobalt color, or a pop orange color.

Are you an importer eager to learn more on sourcing products from South Africa? Irene has made visits to the best exporters of South Africa, and can tell you much more on products, prices, lead-times and logistics. Send an e-mail to get in touch!

Exclusively for HandEye Magazine, Craftscurator made photo reports on makers;

For PantoneView, Craftscurator made a Design Indaba trend report called 'Mud and Metallics' Only for members...

For leading sustainable design blog Inhabitat, Craftscurator made a top 10 of green products spotted at the Design Indaba Expo 2014.