OPINION: Design is a key part of Capital of Culture celebrations

Jul 10 2008 by DELIA TINSLEY, Liverpool Daily Post

JUST under 7,000 visitors came to the inaugural Design Show Liverpool to view and buy cutting-edge contemporary jewellery, fashion, accessories, homewares and furniture from the 173 exhibitors – comprising both hot new designers and celebrated design brands.

The event took place at the Contemporary Urban Centre in Greenland Street, Toxteth, at the end of last month as a key part of the Capital of Culture programme. We are delighted to have created an event of this scale and quality in Liverpool working with Design Initiative who have been supporting the design industry in Liverpool and the region for 16 years.

Design Show Liverpool has been a great platform for designers in Merseyside and beyond with half of the exhibitors being from the North-West.

The response from our visitor surveys was incredibly positive. Visitors loved the work and the atmosphere the show brought to the Contemporary Urban Centre.

One of the exciting highlights of the show was hosting a record-breaking challenge – Fast Glass – to compress the design, production and retail of a recycled glass item into just 24 hours.

It was dreamed up by glassmakers Liquid Projects and celebrated Brit designers Nick Munro and Ella Doran.

The limited edition glassware went on sale in Liverpool’s new John Lewis store – in Ella Doran recycled packaging (made from copies of the Liverpool Daily Post) – within a day and promptly sold out.

Moreover, the best design talent was recognised by the Design Show Liverpool awards, in which a panel of experts picked their favourite exhibitor in each category.

Winners included city designer Paul Robinson, who won the fashion prize sponsored by Littlewoods, and Cheshire glassmakers Notarianni Glass, who won the Cains sponsored Glass Prize.

We hope to have whetted everyone’s appetite for 2009’s show and if anyone wants to take part next year drop me a line on della@designshowliverpool.com