Success – IDS10 | Toronto International Design Festival

“CREATORS OF CANADA’S LARGEST CONTEMPORARY DESIGN EVENT TAKE CULTURE TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH FIRST EVER TORONTO INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FESTIVAL

TORONTO, Canada, February 3, 2010 —  MMPI Canada, creators of Canada’s largest contemporary design event, the Interior Design Show (IDS), put their creative know-how to work, spearheading the first-ever TORONTO INTERNATIONAL DESIGN FESTIVAL (TIDF). The six-day festival has come to a close with resounding success.

“IDS and TIDF are a way of making Toronto a must-see design destination,” says show visionary and MMPI Vice President, Shauna Levy.  “The events are meant to emulate what we see in cities that are home to a major design fair, like Milan, Miami or London. Cultural events like ours are an important way to expose the public to design; and to share that design is as much about culture and experience, than it is a commercial exercise.”

Presented by RADO and AUDI, the week-long TIDF made its first appearance on January 19-24, 2010 at cultural hot-spots like the ROM, AGO, Gardiner Museum and Harbourfront Centre.  With IDS at the core, TIDF is set to become an annual citywide festival celebrating Toronto as a major international design destination. Jenn-Air and Designlines/Azure, City of Toronto, Department of Economic Development also proudly supported the initiative.

“The first annual TIDF was a wonderful opportunity to introduce innovative Canadian design to visitors at the Institute for Contemporary Culture at the Royal Ontario Museum. We’re very pleased with the outcome, which allowed us to showcase a young Canadian design agency (Motherbrand) before a wide audience. After this successful first edition, the Festival will surely grow year by year, and help to cement Toronto’s reputation as an international centre of excellence in design.” Francisco Alvarez, Managing Director, Institute for Contemporary Culture, Royal Ontario Museum.

Both IDS and TIDF had a tremendous impact on economic and commercial development as well as tourism. “The inaugural Toronto International Design Festival shone a spotlight on the tremendous capabilities of Toronto’s design industry and brought together leading designers from around the world in a series of events throughout the city that served both to inspire and inform,” Laurie Belzak, Sector Development Officer – fashion/apparel & design, Economic Development, City of Toronto.

“Nearly 20 events and exhibitions were held as part of TIDF 2010! That is more than anyone can ask of a first year,” says TIDF/IDS’s Shauna Levy. “We anticipate a marked increase in both private and public sector support for 2011.”

Also new this year was IDS’ World Without Oil (WWO) symposium held at the Toronto Design Exchange (DX) on January 19th.  Attended by principals of the city’s leading architectural and design firms, the all-day series featured some of the world’s true leaders in sustainable design like Bruce Mau, Fritz Haeg and Sheila Kennedy.

Celebrating its 12th year, The Interior Design Show/IDS10 saw an optimistic increase in visitors. A return to its original and convenient downtown location, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, worked to draw a record 48,000 show-goers to the exciting opening night party and weekend events. IDS’s unique talks, international designer heavy-hitters, visually stimulating exhibits and diverse range of over 300 exhibitors all contributed to the successful event. IDS10 was proudly presented for the first time by world-class brand, RADO.

At the opening night Gala, over 5,000 guests noshed Italian-themed goodies at the ULTIMATE kitchen party presented by Dekla and Scavolini. DJ jojoflores and the Calrizians rocked the house in the Rhed-designed Monk Lounge by Templar. The opening night Klaus/Veuve Clicquot party in the media lounge was hopping! At one point you could reach out and touch Jaime Hayon, Steven & Chris, Tord Boontje, Thomas Smythe, Karen von Hahn, Nipa Doshi, Shinan Govani, Jennifer Wilson-Speedy, Ingrid Abramovitch, Fritz Haeg, Barbara Hulanicki, Suzanne Dimma,  Lynda Reeves, Toronto Star’s Rita Zekas, Joshua Prince-Ramus, Sarah Richardson, radio hosts Mad Dog & Billie, Arren Williams, Lisa Tant, Jesse Ashlock, Glenn Dixon, Del Terrelonge, Bonnie Brooks, Dee Dee Taylor Hannah, Marissa Bronfman from Huffington Post, Bruno Billio and Glen Peloso.

The launch of this year’s Space Concepts exhibit offered a glimpse of 4 ULTIMATE spaces sprouted from such creative minds as stylist Arren Williams, architect Drew Mandel, designer Jason MacIsaac, interior designers Munge Leung and lifestyle/entertainment provocateur INK. “I was thrilled with the broad exposure and reach that the Interior Design Show brought to our Live the Ultimate design and to our new hotel and residence brand Bisha. From industry enthusiasts, to corporate clients to end-users – the event was a great success,” says INK’s Charles Khabouth.

“RADO was proud to sponsor IDS10 and to be directly involved in sponsoring young talent,” explains Taryn Doobay, Brand Manager Canada, RADO Switzerland. As winner of the Best School Design Award, George Brown was the proud recipient of a $5,000 donation and large wall clock provided by RADO, IDS10’s title sponsor. “This was a super exciting year for the student exhibit at IDS, in particular for George Brown, thanks to our title sponsor, RADO and their genuine and fantastic commitment to the next generation of designers,” says Michelle Hotchin, Program Coordinator/Project Manager, Institute without Boundaries, George Brown College. RADO also generously donated 3 new r5.5 watches designed by Jasper Morrison to Dylan McKinnon for the Best Student Work, Group Two Design for Best Studio North Prototype and Brothers Dressler for Best Studio North Collection. The RADO r5.5 Collection is available exclusively at Holt Renfrew as of February 2010.

Among the success stories of exhibitors at the Interior Design Show, Klaus by Nienkamper continues to receive orders for the Moooi Raimond light featured in his award winning booth as does Ministry of the Interior for Jaime Hayon’s “Scenes Collection” by Lladró which made their Canadian debut at IDS10. Metalarte was superbly received by the design industry of Canada and as a result of the captivating Monk Lounge, Templar sold a unit in its limited-edition residence Langston Hall. Many of the participants in the Off the Wall exhibit reported strong interest from national and international clients.
The impressive turnout this year only affirms the caliber and prominence of Levy’s vision.

Save the date: IDS11 happens January 27-30, 2011 and TIDF happens January 25-30, 2011.”

For more information on the Interior Design Show 2010…

Fore more information on the Toronto Design Week…

(Source: Natalie Ouellette, PR Associate, Faulhaber PR)