Hospitality Design - February 2018 - 12

advertorial

Q&A

with

gavin mcdowell
and dipesh haria
Global design perspective from Gavin
McDowell, Global Design Director.
Specialist perspective from Dipesh Haria,
Design Ambassador.

What is your company's design
Philosophy?

GM: With some of the most experienced custom
"Ax-perts" in the industry, we encourage a
creative synergy between our global partners,
emphasizing on technical excellence.
DH: Differentiated by Design - Designs that are
innovative and appropriate to their use for the
various markets globally.

What current trends are you seeing in
the industry?

Gavin McDonwell - Global Director of Design

GM: A younger, more mobile and diverse interior
design population and instant, available media,
enables a blending of cultural creativity across
what was once more defined design categories.
DH: The current trend is simply that there isn't a
single trend. Being ingenious through creativity.

How are you responding to industry
trends?

GM: As our global team of experienced designers
collaborate with each other, we see international
trending first hand and can predict global
inspiration in design and see potential future
styling.
DH: With collaboration from our experienced
and talented field designers, we are releasing new
collections which respond to trends before they
become trends.

How do you ensure you stay on top of
trends and what designers want?

Dipesh Haria - Regional Design Manager

GM: I believe having a skilled team of artisans
is equally valuable to being able to execute the
vision of the client within our medium.
DH: I personally never stop looking. Inspiration
could come from a shadow cast by a tree or
a window display at Harvey Nichols or Art
Basel. It's important to keep filling up the visual
reference library in my mind.

What differentiates your company from
its competitors?

GM: Our global footprint and impressive diversity

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February 2018 hospitalitydesign.com

in manufacturing resources, sets us apart in the
Industry. With over 19,000 employees situated
at our main campus in Cairo Egypt and with
many of the best qualified and handpicked
experts in the world on our teams, across all
sectors of our manufacturing life cycle, we
employ a strong belief and investment in
continuous product development across all
product categories, from printed to woven goods.

Outside the industry, where do you look
for inspiration for new collections?
GM: I am passionate about encouraging
international collaboration with our team.
We design with great respect, the aesthetic
of a local property or one far away. Our well
educated global team, pays close attention
to world politics and regional and local
culture, including the art and culture of our
own celebrated international team. We will
be launching "Eshta", in May, a thoroughly
cosmopolitan design collaborative, created by
our global design team.
DH: I have seen an influence from Fashion
to Interior Design. Runway shows influence
stores on the high streets and this in turn
influences peoples aesthetics. It is one of many
places where I would go. Walking the Milan
Furniture Fair and the Maison & Object Paris,
highlights the next trend in the industry.

What Industry Predictions do you have
for 2018/2019?

GM: Everyone wants "unique and Boutique".
Across demography society is demanding
a higher quality, better designed product.
Travelers want luxury and a little opulence
with authenticity and connection to where
they are staying. Design concepts are moving
back toward traditionalism with the use of gold
and metal hues for accenting and even more
specialized yarn effects and techniques. While
the neutral story in color has become a staple for
designing, we predict a more enthusiastic return
to the use of saturated color in our design work.
DH: "Sunshine and sequins" or "ornate and
uplifting" and "florals with geometry" are all
having a moment in Interiors. It's a reaction to
the political and environmental climate. People
want to have romance and fun.
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Hospitality Design - February 2018

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