A show with a new tune

The UAE's annual signature design fair, INDEX, has gone through a complete overhaul and is now not just glitz and glam, but incredibly hands on too. "We're changing everything and addressed all the comments about the previous shows. This year's INDEX (November 13 - 17) is going to be fun, fun, fun," says Lu Buchanan, Event director of INDEX.

He is clearly more than optimistic about this year's event and there's a lot in store for visitors who will be treated to an enlightening as well as educational experience. Under new management, dmg world media, INDEX 2009 promises star acts, major brands and design greats. But it also promises to translate the haute world of interior design into something that is… shall we say... a little more local.

Starting with the Majlis design competition. Four design companies were handpicked to build their creative representation of the original Arabian home concept. The majlis is a symbol of traditional Arabian hospitality. It is a place where family and friends gather and is an integral part of the Arabian culture. "Nowadays, younger people are buying villas and building their own homes," says Buchanan, "and this generation wants something a little different. Some want high technology while others prefer to go traditional. But certainly the look of the majlis is changing. The objective at INDEX is to create a contemporary majlis."

The selected firms, Etcetera Living, Zain Mustafa Interiors, Hirsch Bedner Associates and KEO International were given a fairly open brief, their challenge was to only use materials and products sourced from the exhibitors. And Buchanan promises the end results will be unique and beautiful.

The exhibition floors are a hive of activity this year. Buchanan tells us about some of the new offerings. "For one, we have done away with the more formal seminars or even a conference floor, and introduced interactive ones on the show floor." These interactive seminars are referred to as Design Talks and feature high-profile speakers from the design world. These professionals will also be mingling with students at the Al Habtoor ISG section. Students from the American University of Sharjah, Zayed University, Ajman University of Science and Technology and Manipal University will be split into three teams for a design challenge and given daily briefs with materials. "I want to turn it over its head a bit, make it a lot more interactive and fun," says Buchanan of the stand for students. "The students have so much talent and a lot to offer. Rather than just have plans on the walls of what they have been working on for the last 12 months, we thought it would be better for them to build or create something live on the show floor." A perfect showcase of their talent indeed. One of the assignments will include using the packing boxes left behind by exhibitors, and creating a design piece. "We have five million cardboard boxes here," says Buchanan. "Why not throw these their way and say ‘Make something! Show off your talent for others to see'."

However, Buchanan is keen to retain a college atmosphere in this section. "So if an interior designer who is exhibiting wants to offer some advice, or to work together with them they're free to do so. Students will benefit from working with an experienced designer."

Regarding the exhibitors area, Buchanan promises exciting activities and stands. "Our plan was to introduce some top brands, and really high-end, quality products. And we have managed to bring all those in." The organisers have been far more selective in signing up exhibitors this year. There is a greater local design presence with brands as well as agencies that represent international brands. "We have also been careful in our international selection to ensure that what they bring is different, innovative and more exciting." The 600 square metre exhibition space by Disegno is a must-see. Formed by three Dubai-based companies, the Disegno project creates an extreme high-design environment showcasing top Italian interior design companies in the most innovative and dynamic space. "I believe the word to describe this stand would be ‘spectacular'," says Buchanan. The project has been launched at INDEX with the intention of continuing to promote brands at different trade events. Star brands at Disegno include design heavyweights Zanotta, Kartell, Vitra and Paulo Lenti. Other leading local and international names that add sparkle to the show floor are Alpha Crystal Lighting, Villeroy & Boch, Longhi, Rexite, Porada, Andreu World and Colección Alexandra. Andrew Martin, the dynamic set designers for the Bond movies, are launching their new collection, which is eyecatching to say the least. Beatles print sofas and vintage chairs with international flags sit amidst life-size metal elephants and old wooden canoes.

Proactive in their methods, the organisers of INDEX have even set up a training programme for exhibitors - a crash course of sorts - to equip them with the necessary skills to help them work towards better interaction with visitors at the show. For future exhibitors, the programme is available live on youtube.com.

We wonder what dreams and hopes the dynamic new organisers, dmg world media, hold for next year's show. "We want to get the entire community together," says Buchanan. "We want to recreate a Milan-style show where they have receptions in stores throughout the city. In Dubai, we have more design on our doorstep than anywhere else in the world. Currently the community is quite broken up and we would really like to create a bigger and connected network."

For next year, the organisers have been working closely with APID towards a combined goal, a Dubai Festival of Interior Design, thus getting the entire city of Dubai involved and placing shows such as INDEX on par with international ones. And these plans have been set in motion with APID becoming official partners of INDEX this year.

Meanwhile, Buchanan's parting shot for INDEX 2009: "It will be interesting, fun and exciting! There are some really mad things to see. All I will say is, look out for giant furniture!"