Designex, Auckland, June 2009

Another City, another trade show....that is what we expected. But...

We had a wonderful time! This could have something to do with the fact that we didn't have the jet-lag or needed to find our freight and negotiate it out of customs, both normal frustrations when showing overseas. No, we just trotted on up to the hall and went about our business.

My team and I were delighted to launch the first essenze collection of Cronz Rugs, designed by Lucy Tupu, as well as the Waka and Wave Lights by Collis Studio and of course show Kete, one of the 3 designs of 'Baskets of Knowledge' by David Trubridge.

For some now, it has frustrated me that we are very good at exporting high quality raw material, only to re-import the finished goods. Textiles also form the 3rd obsession in the design industry I have, lighting and glass being the other two. So, after working with Cronz for a number of months I am proud to say that we have officially launched the essenze designer rug collection, the first series of which is designed by Lucy Tupu, made by Cronz for essenze. Lucy Tupu is a New Zealand designer based in New York, and has the most stunning sense of style and forms, sensual and sexy with a hint of New Zealand and divine use of colour. We displayed two of the Cloud series at designex, both of which made huge impact.

For Christchurch based Cronz we also have developed a grid system which will allow customers to select from the endless options with more ease: we have taken 12 of the best designs Cronz work with, and provided samples in a selection of colour, yarn and pile height options, each framed in a white surrounding to ease the eye into selection. We are totally in love with the possibilities with Cronz - the quality, the colours, the designs and the feeling that we are actually selling and eventually exporting this raw material in form of high quality, world-leading rugs.

David Trubridges Petal was a delight to show, a new direction and welcomed in style and price by interior designers. But of course it was the Kete that stole the scene: fresh from Milan, many visitors had read about the 'Baskets of Knowledge" , seen the photos or the fellow basket in the window of essenze in Parnell. To see them in person is quite overwhelming, their size being quite overwhelming along with the shadows they make on the ground. Stunning. For more on the story of Kete, go to www.davidtrubridge.com/the-story/.

Collis Studio have taken their craft and design ability to new strength, combining existing function with their craft and playing with light. The Waka Wall Lights were seen exactly the way we had hoped: as perfect centre pieces for hotel foyers and/entrance areas in receptions. They are strong, ethnic, elegant and perfectly executed, we are so proud of Peter. Julie's flowing style of application of designs to glass lend themselves to being light, as Julie demonstrates in the Wave Lights. The colour and pattern is from subtle to jazzy, and lights up glowingly when the surrounding is light controlled. The Collis lighting will be released in Parnell in August.

Joug Design is a newcomer to our stable, and we showed the Frangipani light in the Resene Feature display area and on their stand, both of which essenze styled. It was in particular the Joug light that captured the trade, as the positioning over dining tables creates great light and soft patterns. We are delighted to finally have Jelles lights in store.

Katie Brown in her stunning style provides the surprising, deductive imagery of New Zealand work not necessarily associated with New Zealand - hand blown glass created into a contemporary chandelier. Woof!

Overall, the show was a great success. We were in hot demand, and bounced between 2 and 3 place on the tracking device of numbers of people on the stand. It proved to me that there is a need to work with interior designers and architects to assist in creating sophisticated New Zealand design environments.