Decorex uplifts local exhibitors to another level
The three-day Decorex Exhibition held at the Sandton Convention Centre from July 28 to 31, served as a launching pad for several black exhibitors who hope to expose their products to overseas clients.
The event’s marketer Labeega Gallie said, “For the first time, leading design and decor exhibition Decorex Africa hosted an exhibition in the heart of Joburg’s exclusive business district in conjunction with the Design Africa décor brand.
“The longstanding event has been completely reimagined with a brand-new look, specially curated themes, new summits to support the design industry, and a hybrid digital offering.”
Approached for comment by Kathorus MAIL on the last day of the three-day event, several exhibitors who took part in the exhibition hailed their participation as a success as they market their exclusive hand-crafted products.
The products range from ornamental home decorative materials such as cushions, tanned leather works and light soft home furnishers.
Poppie Kabini, a creative artist and founding owner of Khethu Décor, spent the entire three days exhibiting a variety of her exclusive home décor range of soft furnishers.
She hailed the exhibition as a “necessary outlet” for small businesses in the home décor industry. She described the event as a launching pad to broader horizons for both local and overseas clients.
Kabini lamented the lack of more creative artists who can be exposed to platforms such as the expo.
Puseletso Mumsie Mohlala from Tzaneen explained how she started her now lucrative ornamental wild grass décor business in 2007. According to her, the business has grown steadily over the years.
“Today I supply clients in the USA, Australia and the Netherlands with decorative grass and reed décor products. Business has been good and I have no regrets,” said the businesswoman who travelled almost 600km from rural Tzaneen to showcase her handiwork.
Irish Mphahlele of Polokwane also expressed her excitement about the exhibition. She specialises in home décor furnisher and leathercraft. His products are highly sought-after by clients from near and far.
Before Covid, Mphahlele told the MAIL that his company was one of the resident exhibitors for Seda (Small Enterprise Development Agency) in Atlanta, Georgia, in the USA.
“The advent of Covid-19 immediately brought an abrupt end to the venture. We were forced to return home,” explained Mphahlale.
