Colombia's Design Week at Expo 2020 highlights identity, heritage and culture through craftmanship

November 9, 2021- Colombia will be hosting a meet and greet event at the Dubai Design District on November 10 to recognize its designers, as part of its design week celebrations to showcase the country's culture, creativity, and innovation. The all-day event held at 'The Name Resto Cafe' will display a variety of distinct and luxury products from some of the best Colombian design brands.

The event will also feature an exclusive networking session from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., during which visitors will be able to learn more about Colombian design. Apart from Colombia’s designs, guests will be able to experience a live handicraft display, sample Colombian coffee, and enjoy contemporary music with DJ Alejo.

At Expo 2020, the 2,000-square-meter four-story Colombia Pavilion displays over several articles made by the nation’s indigenous communities and local artisans from remote regions who have learned the tradition of creating diverse and beautiful handicrafts over many generations. Colombian master artisans and designers have expressed their identity in handicrafts, clothing, footwear, jewelry, furniture, and other decorative items with a rich blend of craftmanship, innovation and elements distinct to the country.

Sustainability, one of the key messages of Expo 2020, is also one thing that makes Colombian design stand out as they use materials that consciously integrate the importance of environment and social impacts. Leveraging its richness in natural resources, Colombian designers use about 120 plants or tree fibers, common of which are calceta de plátano, iraca, seje, faja tetera, werregue, junco, bejuco, and palma de guarumo. Other widely used raw materials include bamboo, fique, clay, wood, totumo, and some precious metals.

Colombia's design and fashion industry has grown to become one of the country's most important exporters and has successfully established itself in the global market. These uniquely designed items have crossed boarders and reached exclusive destinations such as Milan and New York. In the furniture and home upholstery segment, Colombian manufacturers have exported products valued over USD 14 million in the first half of the year, an increase of 27.1 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year, according to recent data.

Participating Colombian companies include Tu Taller, Tucurinca, Artesanías De Colombia, Siente, Angela Ramos, Atlas, Monica Urquijo, Monica Urquijo, Carmen De Viboral and La Telemón.

Expo 2020 serves as one of the biggest platforms for the Latin American country to promote its products and services as it expresses keenness to increase exports and expand its market in the MENA region.