Local design, global vision at 100% Design Africa 2025

Co-located with Decorex Joburg, organised by RX, Africa’s flagship design and lifestyle event, this four-day showcase brings together the best in contemporary design, hospitality innovation and cultural craftsmanship. The event offers a dynamic and expansive view of the design world anchored by four curated pavilions – Local, International, Materials and Capitec handmadeAFRICA – and enriched by the highly anticipated Future Talks series.

Capitec handmadeAFRICA Pavilion

A curated showcase of ten leading African design studios, including talent from Morocco, Botswana and South Africa, highlights the continent’s finest in luxury, heritage, and forward-thinking craft. At the heart of this is the Local Design Pavilion, a celebration of South African innovation and cultural storytelling. Featured works include Casamento’s handcrafted ‘The Field’ armchair set, created with Swazi artisans; Ananta Design Studio’s beaded Purna vases, inspired by abundance; and Han + NISH’s sculptural OLIO Wall Sconce. Mash.T Design Studio adds playful nostalgia with the Smiley Pendant, while Clout/SA and the Nando’s Hot Young Designer programme present the Thread Collection, showcasing rising textile talent. Other highlights include Urbanative’s Swahili-inspired Raha Daybed, Kilnhouse Design Studio’s Joburg-influenced ceramics, Indigenus’s Petra planters co-created with NY artist Fernando Mastrangelo, Stuart Graham Fabrics’ locally designed textiles, and uMugqa Studio’s storytelling-led furniture. This is a vibrant expression of Africa’s design excellence.

International Design Pavilion

This pavilion introduces a global design perspective to Johannesburg, showcasing innovation, luxury, and cultural exchange. From Brazil, Nosso presents a vibrant collection of furniture and decor rooted in heritage, colour, and playful craftsmanship. Cape Town’s Créma Design curates high-end pieces from top European brands like Gubi, Flos, HAY, and Muuto. Iconic French brand Ligne Roset, established in 1860, brings its avant-garde furniture, lighting, and textiles to the stage. ErgoKonzept adds a contemporary edge with its ergonomic steel furniture systems, blending industrial style with human-centred design. Together, these brands highlight the global language of design at its finest.

Materials Pavilion

Curated by Decorex Africa’s Alan Hayward and Garreth van Niekerk, this pavilion explores African material design through tradition and innovation. Highlights include Sett & Beat’s botanical-dyed textiles and Wolkberg Casting Studios’ Limesite™, a proprietary concrete-based material. Blending ancestral techniques with cutting-edge applications, the exhibit celebrates sustainable, forward-thinking craftsmanship. More pioneering contributors will be revealed via 100% Design Africa’s social channels.

Future Talks

Design thinking takes the spotlight in Decorex Joburg’s daily CPD-accredited talk series, included with entry. This global programme explores future trends in design, architecture, retail, and innovation. Highlights include 2025 Designer of the Year Charles O Job on cross-continental creativity, Federica Sala on curating for top design fairs, Tracy Lee Lynch on nurturing local talent, and Retha Erichsen on creating sensory, memorable hospitality spaces.

The Future of Work

This brand-new feature, presented by 100% Design Africa in partnership with furniture provider Ergoform and high-end audio outfit E‑piphany, will offer an immersive space for live talks and activations exploring circularity, biofabrication, Web3, the metaverse, African design systems and workplace transformation, plus how acoustics can shape collaboration and focus in future-facing environments.

Women in Design curated by Bilala Mabuza of Cocoon Lifestyle Studio

This landmark showcase celebrates some of the most compelling design voices on the continent, exploring both legacy and next-generation designers. The curation features an inspiring cross-section of creatives whose work blends local influence and global relevance, including Maira Koutsoudakis (Life Interior Architecture & Strategic Design), Andrea Kleinloog and Megan Hesse (Anatomy Design and HK Studio), Julia Day (Julia Day Interiors), Mpho Vackier (TheUrbanative), Lee Ann Bell (Mezzanine Interiors), Nicole Botha (Raw Manufacturing), Tanya Solomon (Living Inspired), and photographers Elsa Young and Sarah de Pina.

Dates: 24–27 July, 10am–6pm daily

Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, 161 Maude St, Sandton, South Africa

Online Tickets