21 July 2011

Opening festivities kick off a host of exciting events for the State of Design Festival 2011


The 2011 State of Design Festival was tonight launched at the Royal Exhibition Building – the home of a range of activities during the first week of the Festival.

The Opening Night event welcomed the general public, the design industry and business to the Festival. Visitors had the opportunity to view and purchase original works by Australian and international designers, providing an opportunity to interact with industry professionals. 

Officially opening the Festival Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher urged Victorians to take part in the diverse events on offer over the next ten days.

“The State of Design Festival celebrates and recognises the excellence of the Victorian design sector, Victorian designers and those businesses that use design to improve competitiveness, enter or expand markets and grow their businesses,” Ms Asher said.

The Festival theme, ‘Design that Moves’, was welcomed in thanks to The One Night Only Festival Band, the Collingwood Skipping Club and the Bodyelectric dancers.

The Royal Exhibition Building will continue to play host to numerous events throughout the Festival, including a showcase of custom-built bicycles and children-friendly workshops.

Open to trade today and tomorrow and then to the public over the weekend (24 - 25 July), Design:Made:Trade returns for its fourth year.

Design:Made:Trade features established and emerging design talent such as small manufacturers, product designers and product makers from a diverse range of design disciplines including industrial design, graphic design, textiles, lighting, furniture, fashion and handmade objects.

Taking place tonight at BMW Edge, Federation Square, is international guest Carolyn Steel’s keynote address. The British architect and author of Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives, will explore how feeding cities arguably has a greater social and physical impact on the planet than anything else we do. Steel will inspire visionary thinking around how we might use food to rethink cities in the future. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door for $20.

New in 2011 is the official Hub for State of Design located at Melbourne Central. The Hub will be the epicentre for a huge range of activities during the Festival. The Freefold-designed and Pandarosa-painted cardboard Hub is a unique starting point for the Festival and particularly the Look.Stop.Shop. trail – a design-led walk through Melbourne’s City Centre.

Shopping will also take on a unique Festival flavour at Melbourne Central, with Melbourne Vintage Recycled Bikes’ pop-up shop, the Hello Sailor market, Made in Melbourne pop-up stalls featuring the work of emerging designers and an incredible exhibition by cult brand, Melissa Shoes. Shannon Boh’s stunning photography exhibition is another must see.

For further information visit www.stateofdesign.com.au, or for media enquiries please contact michelle@hhme.com.au or Lisa@hhme.com.au/ T 03 9682 0222

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