The Big Design Market
This year, the ‘big’ in The Big Design Market must not be understated. In it’s third year running and after hugely successful events in 2012 and 2013, The Big Design Market returns in December with more designers than ever before.
The ultimate Christmas shopping event, this year 225 Australian and international designers will fill the entire Royal Exhibition Building selling products from homewares, books and textiles, to stationery, fashion and kids products, for three days in the lead-up to Christmas.
Independent artist’s stalls including Cyclesign by Trent Jansen, Fold Theory’s sustainable architecture, Orbitkey key-holders, Wonder tents by Such Great Heights, Zaishu seat-boxes and The Mod Collective’s porcelain pieces will sit alongside those by Heide Museum of Modern Art and RMIT. Classic handmade footwear company Hobes will be there, as well as crate-raised garden beds by The Little Veggie Patch, beautiful bright lighting fixtures by Volker Haug and retro-style bikes by Papillionaire Bicycles.
The Big Design Market team are also excited to announce that artist, designer and weaver, Maryann Talia Pau, will be creating a new installation that will fill the entire 7000-square metre space with her woven stars as part of her One Million Stars Project. Talia Pau’s project involves communities all over the world weaving stars against violence and sending them back to her. Workshops will be held by the artist to show visitors how to weave their own star to contribute to the project.
A relaxed shopping environment with lounge areas for recharging between shopping stints and a kids’ creative play area with free activities will feature again this year. There will be food stations by Misschu and Earl Canteen, craft beer by Moo Brew and a specialty tea and macaron lounge. Upstairs on the terrace, the Victorian Opera Youth Choir will be performing live on Saturday evening.
This year, free creative workshops will run continuously over the three-day event. Hosted by stallholders including Beci Orpin, Georgie Cummings and Fold Theory, visitors will be able to make something to take home.
Created by artist and designer Simon Obarzanek, The Big Design Market is a unique annual pop-up retail event in December. It aims to create an exclusive shopping experience where visitors can pick up various coveted design pieces in one place, just in time for gift giving season.
“For me it is the ultimate Christmas shopping event,” says Obarzanek. “…with 225 designers from Australia and New Zealand as well as retailers representing designers from all over the world.”
Food, drinks, kids activities,limited issue showbagsand amazing shopping all under one roof – what more could you want three weeks before Christmas. With so many great designers at this showcase, The Big Design Market is one unmissable, unique three-day event in Melbourne.
Friday 5, Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December 2014
Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Admission – Adults $2, kids 12 and under free