Two new trade fairs focussing on interior design are to have their inaugural events in London next year.
Office Interiors will take place for the first time at Earls Court exhibition centre from 13 to 14 February 2013, while DX, a new commercially-focused interior design show, makes its debut on the other side of town at London's ExCeL between 19 and 21 May.
Launched by Ian Rudge, co-founder of the 100% Design and Tent shows, in collaboration with graphic designer Neville Brody and architect Ad Rogers, DX will focus on the relationship between design and technology, an approach Rudge hopes will set it apart from the many other design shows taking place across the capital. 'It's hard to think of a more exciting time for interiors,' says Rudge. 'Design and technology are evolving at a dizzying rate, enabling us to design truly beautiful, sustainable, smart products and spaces that are future proof in every sense. DX is an event and a website that will bring it all together, with integrity and without compromise.'
Office Interiors is presented as a 'vibrant, fresh and exciting new event dedicated to the UK's office interior industry'. Its organiser, Diversified Business Communications, promises to bring exhibitors together with a broad range of specifiers and buyers. Its focus is on 'medium to high end products, solutions and services'. The show's organisers say that Office Interiors will be more than just a furniture show and will, as the name suggests, concentrate on everything to do with office interiors.
Perhaps sensibly, both events steer clear of the design-mania that sweeps through London in September during the London Design Festival. While Office Interiors is one of the first design shows of the year, DX is positioned at the close of the international design shown cycle and creates, according to its organisers, 'the perfect, early opportunity to show new products and ideas in London's ever evolving east, at an uncluttered moment in the design calendar'. Both events are to take place annually.
