Design Show Liverpool a success

Jul 2 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

The fashion show part of the Design Show Liverpool _320

NEARLY 7,000 visitors came to the inaugural Design Show Liverpool, held at the Contemporary Urban Centre on Greenland Street.

A total of 6,829 people viewed and bought cutting-edge contemporary jewellery, fashion, accessories, homewares and furniture from 173 exhibitors – comprising both hot new designers and celebrated design brands – between June 19-22.

And organisers plan to repeat its success next year.

The event was a co-commission with the Liverpool Culture Company as part of the European Capital of Culture programme.

Fiona Gasper, executive producer at the Liverpool Culture Company said: "Design Show Liverpool was a key commission for the 2008 programme and we’re delighted that it was such a success.

 "As well as giving audiences across the region the chance to sample the very best in contemporary design, the event also allowed us to showcase the new Contemporary Urban Centre as an exhibition venue."

The event was a joint venture between event organisers Momentous Events – founders of the East London Design Show – and Design Initiative, a design industry support agency for the North West.

Della Tinsley of Momentous Events said: "The event had such a buzz about it – we’re thrilled it was such a success. It proves that Liverpool and the North West is a hot bed of truly exciting design talent. Our exhibitors were delighted with the response from visitors to their designs and took some serious sales."

Development director of design initiative Sarah Elderkin said: "Design Show Liverpool has been a great platform for designers in Merseyside and beyond with half of the exhibitors being from the North-West.

"Visitors loved the work and the atmosphere the show brought to the Contemporary Urban Centre. We hope to have whet their appetite for next year's show".