Visitors to Decorex Cape Town this winter can expect more than the latest décor trends.
Image: Supplied
A new feature exhibition, Ten x Ten, will bring together 100 standout design objects that offer a snapshot of where contemporary design is heading in 2026.
The installation forms part of 100% Design Africa and will debut at Decorex Cape Town from 25 to 28 June before travelling to Decorex Joburg later in the year. The concept is simple yet ambitious: showcase 100 of the most compelling design pieces across 10 categories, creating a curated journey through the world of design.
The exhibition spans everything from lighting and textiles to ceramics, furniture, glassware, basketry and heritage craft. Together, the objects create a floor-to-ceiling exploration of contemporary creativity, highlighting the ideas, materials and makers shaping today’s design landscape.
Image: Supplied
At the heart of the installation are large-scale fabric sculptures inspired by the work of Tshwane-based AI artist Imagine_That, 100% Design Africa’s featured artist for 2026. The dramatic pieces help transform the exhibition into an immersive environment where the lines between art, design and experience become increasingly blurred.
Following a winding route through interconnected pavilions, visitors will encounter objects sourced from South Africa and beyond, including pieces linked to design destinations such as Morocco, Nigeria and Italy. The exhibition explores how ideas, craftsmanship and materials move across borders while highlighting Africa’s growing influence on the global design stage.
The experience also rewards a broader perspective. Viewed from above, the layout of the pavilions forms the symbol “100%”, reinforcing the exhibition’s message that design is best understood when individual objects are seen as part of a bigger story.
Selected by Decorex co-creative directors Alan Hayward and Garreth van Niekerk, alongside a panel of design experts, the collection includes work from established names such as Thabisa Mjo, Kartell, Willowlamp, Wiid Design, Romo Fabrics, Glo Lighting and Robin Sprong Wallpapers, as well as a range of independent makers and studios.
More than a showcase of beautiful objects, Ten x Ten aims to capture a moment in time. It reflects what designers are making in 2026, how they are working and the stories behind their creations. In keeping with Decorex’s broader Soft Life theme, the exhibition celebrates thoughtful design, craftsmanship and meaning over fleeting trends.
Decorex Cape Town takes place at the CTICC from 25 to 28 June, with Ten x Ten later travelling to Johannesburg for Decorex Joburg from 30 July to 2 August.
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