DESIGN Canberra Opens with a Bang
Friday, 27 November 2023
It was a perfect setting. Guests and VIPs gathered in the spectacular light-filled and exquisitely detailed Gordon Darling Hall, in the National Portrait Gallery, for the official launch of Canberra’s most significant design festival.
DESIGN Canberra was an opportunity for designers and artists to mingle with guests and listen to speakers all passionate about the capital’s creative talent.
Avi Amesbury, Artistic Director DESIGN Canberra and CEO/Artistic Director Craft ACT, says it was wonderful to launch the nine-day festival at the National Portrait Gallery, itself an exemplary example of design excellence.
‘Our city hosts renowned educational institutions, national level planning and architectural peak bodies and design associations, our nation’s cultural institutions, local and federal governments, and embassies,’ said Avi. ‘It also has a high concentration of practicing craft artists and designers. DESIGN Canberra brings all these strands of our identity to enhance Canberra in an increasingly design savvy world.’
Also at the opening event, Designcraft’s Bob Fenderson launched the 2015 Design+Craft Award. The $2,500 prize will assist in the development of new work, materials and research which will be awarded to an outstanding solitary practitioner, collaborative project or small business who is participating in DESIGN Canberra from across all disciplines. Last year’s winners—TOMKINS + PEOPLES (Nellie Peoples and Sam Tomkins) made the capital proud for being names finalists in the prestigious Vogue Living Alessi design prize (Emerging Designer) for their ‘Company vessels’.
Fashion added flair to the event, with four local and independent fashion designers creating innovative garments using fabulous leather donated by iconic furniture design company Walter Knoll, celebrating its 150 years in business this year. Walter Knoll furniture can be sourced in Canberra through Designcraft.
Designers Corr Blimey, Karen Lee (who also owns Assemblage Project), Rockstars and Royalty and Sovata each created unique aesthetics with the leather. Models, including from HAUS Models, graced the space wearing the bespoke pieces. The fashion component of the opening night was organised by FASHFEST, one of the sponsors of DESIGN Canberra.
DESIGN Canberra is on until 29 November. Close to 70 events and activities. For the full program: www.designcanberrafestival.com.au
Photo credits:
Fashion Top image: Corr Blimey. Below: (from left, 2 outfits per designer)—Corr Blimey, Karen Lee, Rockstars and Royalty, Sovata
Photographer—Leighton Hutchinson
Leather—Walter Knoll
Models—Kaitlyn Bailey and Georgia Mackay from HAUS Models in Corr Blimey, Cecilia North and Ashleigh Lester from HAUS Models in Karen Lee, Mays Atti (HAUS Models) and Isabella Snaidero in Rockstars and Royalty
Steph MacDonald and Olivia Mennie (HAUS Models) in Sovata
Hair—FASHFEST team leader Suzie Walden and CIT team
Makeup—FASHFEST Director of Makeup Diana Cheetham, Creative Director Katie Saarikko and CMA team.
