Designer Open 2008 in Leipzig: A Review

„… a huge compliment for the fresh, and refreshing, yet very professional organization of the DO08” With these words of praise the Swiss design-label Thismade, one of the exhibitors at the Designers’ Open 2008 in Leipzig, summed up the mood among exhibitors and visitors.

Designers' Open (Photo: www.designersopen.de)

Now it its fourth year Leipzigs “alternative” design exhibition, attracted circa 150 designers to the, lets say, “unusual” exhibition halls: Abandoned blocks of flats near Leipzig main station. The 2008 Designers Open once again attracted many international designers, including Boris Grann from Denmark, Hilbert Tjalkens from Holland and MAYDA from the Czech Republic.The range of products reached from fashion and jewelry over bikes and personalized chocolate onto furniture and home accessories.

Smow and Vitra jointly sponsored the Lounge for the Designers‘ Open – where smow partner and Designers Open Jury member Nils Holger Moormann presented the awards from the comfort of a Vitra Alcove Highback Sofa.

Designers' Open Awards Ceremony (R: Nils Holger Moormann) (Photo: www.designersopen.de)

Among the winners of the Vitra sponsored prizes were “Designconnect” from Berlin for their range of Voicerecording Tools, “Lydia in St. Petersburg” from Halle for her wallpaper and bag collection and Yvonne Penter from Leipzig for her Porcelain.

Smow is naturally in discussion with selected designers and will hopefully soon be in a position to offer one or the other furniture piece and home accessory via smow.com

The Designers’ Open runs until 31.12.2008, should you be in Leipzig over the festive period it goes without saying we recommend a visit.

Further infos over the Designers’ Open 2008 can be found on their website.