Sydney will host Life Instyle, the eagerly anticipated trade fair featuring local and sustainable designers and makers. Over 350 well-loved retail brands will be showcased over four days, including The Society Inc., along with some of Australia’s most exciting emerging designers.
In February 2018, Sydney will host one of the most exciting events in the Australian design calendar – the Life Instyle trade fair. The program is a carefully curated selection of designer brands across homewares, lifestyle, gifts and fashion, with a focus on local, handmade and sustainable design. Over 4 days from February 22-25 at the Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion, Life Instyle will bring together the best of design for discerning buyers and retailers, with four main event segments and a diverse program of experiences including runway shows and talks.
In a world of mass-production and imitation, celebrating local, individual, handmade and eco-conscious design is a worthy cause. As a trade fair, Life Instyle connects designers and makers with discerning retailers, giving retailers the chance to find work that cuts through the overwhelming amount of mass-produced consumer goods. It, therefore, provides an important platform for local designers to have their work seen by some of the country’s most interesting vendors and interior designers, helping to support their viability in the industry.
The four main events that will take place are ‘Life Instyle’, ‘Kids Instyle’, ‘First Instyle’ and the launch of ‘Men Instyle’. ‘Life Instyle’ curates homewares, gifts, lifestyle, furniture and stationary. Centred around local and eco-conscious design, the event encapsulates what the fair is all about and is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to find new work by some of the best local and internationally recognised designers.
Kids InStyle focuses on ranges of high-end fashion for kids from toddlers to tweens, newborn baby products and accessories and must-haves for new mums. As kids’ style takes off in a big way, Kids Instyle brings together a selection of designers who are creating innovative and stylish new products for little ones.
Emerging design is showcased at ‘First Instyle‘ with 70 designers who are bringing their work to the fair for the first time. This is a chance to find fresh, unique work not yet seen at such events, and to meet the designers and makers. A brand new category within First Instyle – ‘First InArt’ – takes things up a notch by expanding the platform and bringing more relevant artists to the fore. If you’re interested in discovering the most vibrant new designers, makers and artists, then the First Instyle event should be your first port of call.
For the first time in its 16 editions, Life Instyle will also feature the event ‘Men Instyle‘, showcasing the best in mens’ fashion, grooming and accessories. The expanding world of mens’ design is captured in an experiential environment with a focus on niche online retailers.
These four main events capture the diverse cross-section of local designers working across these fields, and the workshops and talks that are also scheduled during the fair will be another interesting avenue to explore local design.
The ‘Conversation Series’ presents seminars by industry experts discussing social media, business, marketing, styling and retail trends. Then, GALA hosted on Saturday 24 February is the annual Gift and Life Instyle Awards – a night to celebrate excellence across the creative industries.
There will be too many inspiring designers taking part to mention, just some of them include Huxbaby, Just Smitten, Fineprint Co., Four in the Bed, Kartell and Selijak Brand. The Society Inc will also be taking part for the first time; indeed, it is their first time attending any trade fair. With a new range to share, Sibella Court – stylist, designer, creative director and ‘captain’ of Society Inc – is looking forward to meeting potential customers face to face. As someone who finds inspiration ‘everywhere: books, nature, films, people you’re talking to, makers, creators, curators – it’s endless’, Sibella says she is looking forward to being able to take people through the ranges, the inspirations behind the pieces and where they are made, which is not something that is often possible.
The Society Inc is driven by Sibella’s passion for local design. ‘There’s lots of Australian local designers that inspire me’, she says. ‘To support Australian, and particularly local, designers is such a big part of my business and it’s really part of my DNA as well’. With many strings to their bow, from branding, product development, hospitality interiors, global sourcing as well as a retail space, The Society Inc will bring their eye for local design and introduce the new range of decorative hardware at Life Instyle.
The opportunity to engage with so many wonderful designers, artists, makers and stylists is incredibly exciting, and with the seminars and workshop on the program as well, the event promises to be rewarding, inspiring and practical in equal measure. It’s not every day that local design is celebrated and championed in such a way, making this an event not to be missed.
Life Instyle Sydney 22 – 25 February.
Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park Sydney.
Registration is FREE for all legitimate trade.
