Local design, global perspective at Design Africa 2025

Booth System –   Seyed Mahdi Najafi – The countdown to 100% Design Africa  has begun! The event returns to  the Sandton Convention Centre from 24 to 27 July  . The four-day exhibition, held in conjunction with  Decorex Johannesburg,   Africa’s premier design and lifestyle event, brings together the best in contemporary design, hospitality innovation and cultural crafts. With four dedicated booths – Local ,  International ,  Materials  and  HandmadeAFRICA – and enriched by the popular Future Talks  series , the event offers a dynamic and expansive view of the world of design.

handmadeAFRICA Kapitek booth

Featuring a selection of 10 exceptional brands from across the continent, including designers from Morocco, Botswana and South Africa, the exhibition highlights the best of African luxury craftsmanship, with a special focus on  luxury, cultural heritage and forward-thinking design  .

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Local Design Booth

A festival of South African design genius! The booth features an outstanding lineup of studios, makers and collaborators who embody  bold creativity and cultural narrative  .

• Casamento : Introducing ‘The Field’ armchair and pouf collection, created in collaboration with Swazi hand-woven studio Coral Stephens. Crafted from wood, recycled cotton and handspun wool, and finished with delicate embroidery, these pieces   reflect the warmth and texture of a truly relaxed design.

• Ananta Design Studio : Displays its striking “Purna” collection; ornate, beaded vases inspired by the Sanskrit concept of abundance. Among them, the sculptural “Purna Rupa” evokes the vitality of life in full bloom.

• Han + NISH :  Collaborate to unveil  the OLIO wall pendant ; a lighting collaboration that explores sculptural form through minimal design, alongside a new standalone sculptural work by Han.

• Mash.T Design Studio : Adds a happy and playful feel with  the Smiley Pendant ; a cheerful bead design that conveys nostalgia and tactile pleasure.

• Clout/SA : In partnership with Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) program  , Clout/SA unveils its first woven rug collection, “Clout/SA Thread Collection (Season 1),” which is presented on the iconic Naturalis school chair and features HYD fabric designs by Thandazani Nofingxana, Dziriba, Spamandla and Xolela Madlanga.

• Urbanative :  Launches its Raha Daybed  ; a subtle reflection of retreat, relaxation, and pleasure inspired by Swahili culture.

• Kilnhouse Design Studio  (founded by Nicola Smith): presents a new collection of high-temperature ceramics inspired by the urban surfaces of Johannesburg.

• Indigenus : Unveils its sculptural  Petra vases  , created in collaboration with New York artist Fernando Mastrangelo.

• Stuart Graham Fabrics : showcases locally designed textiles that bridge the gap between decorative tradition and commercial sophistication.

• uMugqa Studio  (industrial design consultant and furniture brand): will demonstrate storytelling through functional and thoughtful furniture design.

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International Design Pavilion

The pavilion brings a global perspective to the Johannesburg scene and includes brands and designers whose work represents  innovation, luxury and cultural exchange  .

• Nosso  (Brazil): Brings together a curated collection of decor and furniture that is infused with color, heritage, and a sense of playfulness; from wood to ceramics and textile-based art.

• Créma Design  (Cape Town): Offers a curated collection of furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories from top European brands including Gubi, Flos, HAY and Muuto.

• Ligne Roset  (France – active since 1860): will present its collection of avant-garde furniture, lighting, rugs and textiles.

• ErgoKonzept : Offers signature ergonomic steel furniture systems that reflect a sleek industrial aesthetic and  human-centered design  .

Material booth

 Curated  by Alan Hayward  and  Garreth van Niekerk (Co-Creative Executive Directors of Decorex Africa), the pavilion  explores the ingenuity, history and innovation of material design across the continent. The exhibits move fluidly between traditional craft techniques and contemporary experimentation, from ancestral knowledge systems to biomaterials and technology-  driven applications .

• Sett & Beat : A conscious textile studio run by a mother-daughter duo that designs and weaves locally sourced natural fibers, low-volume homewares and bespoke textiles. Known for their thoughtful use of low-impact materials and plant-based dyes, the studio will be presenting a fresh take on new textures and fabrics at 100% Design Johannesburg.

• Wolkberg Casting Studios : A design and manufacturing studio that reimagines concrete in contemporary interior design and architecture. The core of their practice  is Limesite™ , a proprietary concrete-based material developed in-house. With its delicate surface finish and versatile design potential, Limesite™ will take center stage as a bold exploration of material innovation.

Stay tuned for more pioneering contributors to be announced via 100% Design Africa’s social channels as the exhibition draws closer.

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Future Talks

Design thinking takes centre stage in the exhibition’s CPD-  accredited daily talks series   , which are included in the entry ticket. Focusing on the future of design, architecture, retail and innovation, this year’s programme features a range of voices from around the world.

• Charles O. Job , architect, designer of the year for Decorex Johannesburg 2025, will be the keynote speaker at  “Body of Work,”  supported by Pro Helvetia; a conversation and exhibition reflecting on a decade of intercontinental creativity, design and cultural impact.

• Federica Sala , an internationally respected independent design curator, will explain how she selects works for the world’s top design exhibitions, drawing on her experience at Milan Design Week, the Centre Pompidou and other events.

• Tracy Lee Lynch , Clout/SA’s Chief Creative Officer and longtime curator of the HYD program, reflects on a decade of nurturing talent and building a commercial platform for South African designers.

• Retha Erichsen , brand president of Babylonstoren, explores how scent, sound and story transform spaces into memorable experiences, especially in the hospitality sector, adding a sensory and emotional layer.

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The Future of Work

This brand new feature, presented by 100% Design Africa in collaboration with  furniture supplier Ergoform  and  luxury audio collection E-piphany , will offer an immersive space for live talks and activations that explore  circularity ,  biofabrication ,  Web 3 ,  the metaverse ,  African design systems  and  the transformation of the workplace , as well as how acoustics are shaping collaboration and focus in futuristic environments.

Women in Design (curated by Bilala Mabuza of Cocoon Lifestyle Studio)

This landmark exhibition celebrates some of the continent’s most influential design voices,   exploring both established designers  and  the next generation . The curation includes an inspiring collection of creatives whose work combines local influences with global relevance:

• Maira Koutsoudakis (Life Interior Architecture & Strategic Design)

• Andrea Kleinloog and Megan Hesse (Anatomy Design and HK Studio)

• Julia Day (Julia Day Interiors)

• Mpho Vackier (TheUrbanative)

• Lee Ann Bell (Mezzanine Interiors)

• Nicole Botha (Raw Manufacturing)

• Tanya Solomon (Living Inspired)

• and photographers Elsa Young and Sarah de Pina.

Essential information for Decorex Johannesburg 2025

Exhibition days and hours:
Thursday, July 24th to Sunday, July 27th, 10am to 6pm.

Location:
Sandton Convention Centre, 161 Maude Street, Sandton, South Africa.

Online tickets:

• Adults: 160 rand

• Pensioners/Students: 130 Rand

• Children under 12 years old: free

• Children 12 to 16 years old: 50 rand

• VIP Experience: R350
  Purchase Link:  https://register.decorex.co.za/joburg/tickets/register/default

Exhibition door ticket:

• Adults: 170 rand

• Pensioners/Students: 140 Rand

• Children 12 to 16 years old: 60 rand

• Children under 12 years old: free

• VIP Experience: 360 rounds

TRADE VISITORS:

• Business pre-registration for Decorex Johannesburg is open:  https://decorex2025.it-em.co.za/joburg/delegate/register/

• Pre-registered merchants: Free

• Local merchants: 160 rand

• Decorex Business VIP Experience: 390 rand

Parking:
Parking is charged hourly and visitors are required to use the Pay-on-Foot parking kiosks to pay for their parking.
Best parking directions:  https://www.decorex.co.za/joburg/en-gb/exhibitors/Wheretopark.html

More information:
For more information  , visit www.decorex.co.za  . For regular updates,   follow  @decorexafrica on Instagram and Facebook, and for the latest decor and design industry news,  visit  Decorex JRNL : https://www.decorex.co.za/global/en-gb/journal.html

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About Future Talks

Future Talks is an in-person series of panel discussions and presentations by industry experts and thought leaders. The series explores the transformative role of design in shaping our future through live, face-to-face conversations. Focusing on sustainability, innovation, and the digital space, it brings together experts from diverse fields to solve pressing challenges through collaborative interdisciplinary dialogue and explore new possibilities.

About the booth construction and decoration system

Booth System is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities and organisations. With a presence in 10 countries and across 30 industry sectors, Booth System designs around 1,000 stands and implements 350 exhibition stands annually – that’s almost one project every day. Booth System is a global provider of analytics and data-driven decision-making tools for professional and commercial clients, empowering businesses to grow through data-driven insights and digital solutions. More
information: Booth builder dot com