Decorus 2012 – Post-show press-release
Thanks to an extensive pre-show marketing and advertising campaign, and to a web-site preregistration facility, in just two days, 21 and 22 June 2012, the exhibition has received over
three thousand one hundred verified trade visitors. On show at Decorus were sixty five of the
interior world’s best known fabric, wallpaper, furniture, lighting and interior furnishing
companies. Russian design trade professionals visiting Decorus could meet their suppliers
face to face, see the latest world design trends brought directly to them, and enjoy a
luxurious, business-conducive atmosphere. This was a show conceived by business, for
business – and a lot of business was achieved.
The first visitors to Decorus were from Belorussia. They arrived at 8 am, two hours before the
show opened, and left only after two full days at the show, delighted with all they had seen
and learnt. Ukrainian trains brought visitors on both days. Visitors flew from Dagestan, came
by train from St Petersburg, Omsk, Pskov, Saratov, Nizhnevartovsk, Vladivostok,
Ekaterinburg, etc – our registration and reception desk learnt more of the geography of
Russia in these two days than in several years at school!
The vast majority of visitors had long experience of working in interior decoration, from 5 to 10
years on average, but there were also many start-ups eager to find suppliers, and this was
definitely facilitated by the show, as indicated by the many thank-you letters received. All the
top Russian press visited the event, and a number of top magazines and internet portals had
their own press stands at the show. Overall, we received a great deal of positive feedback
from visitors and exhibitors alike, many of whom told us that Decorus offered them “the most
important Russian interior design event of the year”!
Amongst the new features introduced this year was a full and varied seminar program on both
days. Such diverse subjects as the history of Spanish design, the past and future of classic
French decoration, the main principles of English country house interiors, attracted full
audiences. There was real overcrowding at the seminar given by Elena Teplitskaya, the
famous interiors and fashion designer, and not a single place left for the talk by Fiona Flint,
who has made her Watts of Westminster brand a “must-have” brand for the luxurious Russian
interior. Talks on the evolution of lighting in Europe and leather in interiors resulted in very
real contracts for the exhibitors. The outstanding 2012 European wallpaper and fabric
collection of Melissa White - Arden for Zoffany - was also launched in Russia by the designer
herself, who flew to Moscow for the event.
American, British, German, French, Swedish, Spanish, and Italian brands who exhibited at
Decorus, all see Russia as one of the most quickly developing and maturing interior design
markets in the world. Having come from nothing just over fifteen years ago, it is now one of
the world’s most vibrant, and still quickly evolving and developing markets, eager for novel
and sophisticated design solutions.
Even ahead of the show, over twenty new brands have pre-registered for 2013, and most of
the 2012 names have already confirmed their participation. So the only way now is to grow –
and the Russian design world is eagerly awaiting next summer’s Decorus!
The dates next year will be 20-21 June 2013 and it will again take place in the luxurious and
hospitable Hotel National, just opposite Red Square and the Kremlin. The next show will soon
become fully subscribed, so even top brands should be thinking seriously about reserving
their space.
Decorus was not conceived to teach the market, it was started to learn and live with the
market, and we are most grateful to participants and visitors. Without either of you, it would
not happen. Thank you. And see you again next year! The Organisers, Decorus - now 2013