Bertjan Pot ‘prop light’ round double D 73,5 cm x 25 cm

Vancouver's premiere design event, IDSwest is less than a month away, and so as IDSwest Ambassadors this year, we thought we'd kick the countdown off with a post of a few highlights happening there this year.





BERTJAN POT
Bertjan Pot (The Netherlands), the man behind the mask who keeps his identity hidden in portraits and who's projects stem from curiosity. Creator of the Random Light, one of the most iconic lighting designs of the last 10 years, Bertjan's new Prop Light, recently launched at the Salone del Mobile in Milan and will be seen for the first time in Canada at the show.

Asher Israelow

BROOKLYN DESIGN GROUP
Also cool, a few Brooklyn-based designers will be here:  Asher Israelow, a New York native with a background in fine arts and architecture, builds using ethically-sourced materials and uses them as inspiration to tell a narrative for the "modern explorer".  And Volk Furniture visits the event providing insight into the creation of its' signature crafted furniture which is built with traditional joinery techniques, using unique touches like inlaid vintage typewriter keys, drawers lined with shirting fabric or one-of-a-kind drawer pulls like antique organ stops. Also look out for Shant Madjaran, Juniper Design and Patrick Weder, Patrick Weder Design Inc.

Volk Furniture - St. Charles Coffee Table

SARAH RICHARDSON
We're really looking forward to hearing Sarah Richardson, Interior Designer and television producer speak on the Livingspace Design Stage this year.  Having followed her on TV for years, Sarah's popular HGTV series now airs over 100 countries, including Room Service, Design Inc, Sarah's House and Sarah 101.  She will be sharing her tips and tricks so you are prepared and inspired to tackle your next project.

PROCESS
Another cool project IDSwest is doing this year is pairing designers with city-shaping clients to collaborate on real projects as they develop to completion.Viewers will watch concepts unfolding via an exclusive online video series produced by Fusion TV.  Process Part I: Bottega S.p.A. (one of the world's most renowned producers of Prosecco wine) is the first PROCESS client. Planning their first flagship Bottega bar and restaurant in Canada, Vancouver is being considered to provide the very first North American location for the brand.  The bar concept will be unveiled for the first time at IDSwest in the form of the IDSwest VIP lounge.

PROTOTYPE
A twice-juried competition pairing big name mentors with students to produce real prototypes with a vision for future production. Students receive hands-on experience in product and design and will put their creativity and imagination on display. As well, established designers will be eligible to submit their Prototypes to a jury made up of Brent Comber, Omer Arbel and Bertjan Pot.

Cathy Terepocki at Poppytalk Curated | The District

THE DISTRICT (POPPYTALK CURATED)
Poppytalk will be bringing a unique vision to The District this year where makers and designers will showcase their products for purchase onsite.  We're excited to bring a curated selection of makers like Heyday, Lana Betty, Lemonni, Dahlhaus, Forrest and Waves, Dear Pony and Cathy Terepocki + more!

Poppytalk is also proud to hosting a break out session (trade only) with Rena Tom who will speak about Retail Readiness on Friday, September 26th at 4:30pm.  More info here.

DINNER BY DESIGN
Dinner by Design returns this year bringing together internationally celebrated designers and local talent to create three-dimensional dining installations that are sure to inspire and delight.  From lavish and romantic to the outrageous and whimsical, 16 different tablescapes are designed by the likes of Robert Bailey and Marie Khouri and will be showcased at Cocktail Art or the Gala dinner a few days prior to IDSwest.  Click here for more info.

STUDIO NORTH
A show favorite which showcases limited edition collections by Canadian and international designers featuring one-off and custom collections of furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles and surface design.

STRUCTURE
Another returning exhibit by BC Wood and IDSwest, providing innovative opportunities for six young designers challenging them to design a piece from Weyerhaeuser's Parallam SLS material. 

Other highlights will feature the screening of the 2012 documentary, Coast Modern, the GRAY Conversation Stage hosted and moderated by GRAY magazine, and Working Lunch, a new area which will serve as a place where visitors can brainstorm their own projects in a collaborative space by Italian brand Nidi, Design Spaces for Children.

IDSwest will be celebrating its 10th year this year and runs September 25 - 28/14 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.  For more information visit www.idswest.com.