The Big Design Market is back again on 4, 5 and 6 December bringing together the best of independent Australian and international design for 3 huge days at Melbourne’s iconic Royal Exhibition Building.
A wonderland for Christmas shoppers with over 230 stallholders, it’s the ultimate destination for those who value original design and ethical production across homewares, textiles, fashion, stationery, lifestyle and kids products.
We sat down with Simon Obarzanek Director of The Big Design Market to find out more.
How would you describe The Big Design Market?
The Big Design Market is the biggest market of its kind in Australia and is a great destination for those who value original design and ethical production. The iconic Royal Exhibition Building provides a stunning backdrop for a stellar line-up of stallholders, free creative workshops, a new champagne bar, fine food and craft beer, our exclusive designer showbags and kids activities. Each year we strive to make it bigger and better than the year before. I think it’s an event not to be missed!
What are you most looking forward to for this year’s event?
This year we have a lot of new design collaborations I’m really excited about.
We’ve commissioned renowned designer Emily Green to create a brand new art installation exclusively for The Big Design Market. A monumental ‘chandelier’ featuring her beautiful watercolour artwork will fill the great dome of the Royal Exhibition Building with vibrant colour. Emily is a Melbourne-based designer renowned for her use of unique and unexpected colour combinations across her ever-evolving range of fashion accessories and art prints. This will be her first large-scale installation.
We’re also launching a new outdoor bike testing track in the Royal Exhibition Building forecourt. Visitors can take a spin around the track and test ride Reid Cycles mens, womens and kids bikes. That will be a lot of fun!
We have a new Champagne bar where visitors can create an indulgent High Tea with sparkling wine, pink wine spritzers, specialty teas, pastries, macarons and organic chocolates. I’m looking forward to indulging in some taste testing of my own!
Which stalls/designers are your ‘must visits’?
The 2015 designer list is saturated with talent so it’s very hard to single out designers! Loved ones returning from last year include: Beci Orpin for Arro Home, Bridget Bodenham handmade ceramics, Volker Haug bespoke lighting, Bride & Wolfe mesh shelving, and Fictional Objects luxury bedding. Exciting newcomers include: Wootten leather shoes and bags, Kate & Kate towels, blankets and throws, Milk & Thistle independent fashion, and Grafa artisan garden tools, plus many more!
Melbourne is such a unique city, what do you love about it?
One of my favorite things about Melbourne is the number of original independent designers that live and work here. It’s a great city as it nurtures and supports local talent whether it’s design, music or the arts in general. I think that’s pretty special.
Where do you think the best coffee in Melbourne is?
There are many great places for coffee in Melbourne, but in particular I like Sensory Lab as they take coffee to the next level. Their concept-store style cafes are like tasting spaces, they offer a variety of brewing methods and specially source their fresh roasted coffee from the far corners of the globe, so you can experience coffee in a variety of ways. They’ll also be our exclusive coffee providers at The Big Design Market for the first time this year.
Coming to Melbourne for The Big Design Market? Recover from your shopping adventure in style at InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto. Try our Weekend Special package which includes overnight accommodation, breakfast buffet for two at Alluvial Restaurant and a late 4pm checkout.
