It’s back: the time of year our whole design industry waits for. IDS Vancouver returns this week and the city is alive with anticipation and creativity. The annual design show , once again taking over the Vancouver Convention Centre West, brings industry forerunners to the front lines, and designers, influencers, experts and aficionados alike under one roof to see what’s what for the future of design. Running September 28 through October 01, the show offers everything from speaker series to artisanal shopping to cutting edge installations to leading exhibitors. With so much to take in, I’ve narrowed out my faves for this years show, and what features I’m most looking forward to checking out. 

STUDIO NORTH
Studio North brings Canadian and international designers together to present custom pieces from a variety of disciples of the design world: furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles and surface design. The gallery-like installation allows the industry, media and design-savvy show-goers to explore the fresh perspectives of the participants creativity. This years exhibitors include the 2016 IDS Vancouver Prototype Winner, Chop Value – the  name stemming from the use of recycled chopsticks as raw material for product development and design, as well as Vancouver-based furniture designer Will Morrison, who focuses on sustainability with flat-packable heirloom pieces with a non-toxic makeup.

CLAY & GLAZE
Modern ceramics are given the spotlight with Clay & Glaze. Artists from across the globe bring their innovation forward in this curated installation. Victoria-based  Amanda Marie Ceramics, whose terracotta and milk-glazed works derive inspiration from nature, as well as Italian ceramicist Matteo Cibic – a creative mind with featured collections shown worldwide in various galleries and museums – are just a few of the invited artists to showcase their pieces in this must-see show feature.

THE MIX
A unique concept new to IDS Vancouver this year, The Mix is an international, interactive connection between three leading Vancouver designers and three established Netherlands-based designers that includes both on and off site talks, show displays and collaborative installations. Vancouver’s own Brent Comber partners with Eindhoven-based designs duo Studio OS & OOS to discuss the similarities and differences in preferred materials, and how geographic factors may play an influential role in their creative processes. We will also see local artist Bobbie Burgers pair up with Studio RENS designers Stefanie van Keijsteren and Renee Menen to talk, amongst other elements, how they are each influenced by colour within their work. 

THE DISTRICT
One of the most bustling areas of the show each year, The District is the marketplace where guests are able to meet and take home treasures from local artisans showing and selling their work. Some of this years most prominent curated artisans include Saige & Skye, which brings unique handwoven pieces from fibre artist Jolynn Vandam, as well as Urban Walls, which offers up a modern, playfully chic alternative to wallpaper with their fashion forward, removable wall decals. In am also beyond excited to see some of my design go-to’s in the industry, Haven Textile Company, G Ceramic & Co., Anara Design Company and Bloc showcasing their incredible talents and wares in The District. 

SPEAKER SERIES
The biggest buzz about the show amongst the industry is who’s taking the stage to share their expertise. This year has a stellar lineup to satiate the crowds, with a wide variety of local and international style stars set to speak. Friday, September 29 brings us, among others, Spanish artist/ designer Jaime Hayon; Hayon is multi-disciplinary, with his creative services in high demand for commercial interiors worldwide, as well as design of furniture, lighting and fixtures.  TIME Magazine and Wallpaper Magazine have included Hayon as one of the most relevant creators of our times. Saturday, September 30 will see world renowned Camille Walala take the Ceasarstone stage to bring us a little peek at what life in Walaland is like (she is also creating the Walaland Central Bar installation in collaboration with Ann Sacks); Walala originally began as a textile designer and expanded her colourful, energetic pattern designs to grace interiors and public spaces across the globe. Perhaps the talk I am mist looking forward to is taking place on Sunday October 01; gathering some of our city’s most talented designers and influencers to discuss the meaning of West Coast Luxury. Moderator Fiona Forbes will be joined by an inspiring group of creative women, including Karen Bohn, Gaile Guevara and Gillian Segal to chat everything luxury, from design to decor to entertaining.