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Supporting emerging material designers has always been important to Surface Design Show . That is why the New Talent section will , for the fourth year in a row , be held in partnership with Trendease International . Its Chief Creative Director , Jennifer Castoldi , will be curating over 30 ‘ New Talents ’ this year . The section will inspire and excite visitors with the ‘ class of 23 ’ showcasing a fascinating mix of biomaterials , natural materials , digital print , textiles , furniture , wallcovering , weaving and biopolymers . This forthcoming edition will be the most international yet with New Talents coming from as far afield as Sweden , the Netherlands , Lebanon , Malaysia , Korea and China and will give them the opportunity to learn from each other and to connect for a better future .
Located right in the heart of the exhibition , Surface Design Show welcomes back Surface Spotlight Live ( SSL ), an area which gives visitors a chance to touch and compare the latest material prototypes . Centred around this year ’ s theme , ‘ Shaping Communities ’, SSL will highlight the importance of new exchanges between surfaces , people and environments . From material transformation to inclusive design , co-creation to sensory wellbeing , SSL will present designs creating thoughtful solutions for interiors and architecture . This section of the show will again be curated by leading trend and colour expert , Sally Angharad .
Stone Gallery showcases the possibilities with one of the most sought-after materials with this section of the show attracting companies from the UK , Europe and further afield . It is officially supported by Stone Federation Great Britain whose Knowledge Hub forms a focal point for its member companies . Stone Tapestry , meanwhile , is an installation curated by leading Londonbased architectural practice Squire & Partners . It explores innovative textures , light , colour and pattern to create a tapestry of inspiring materials from around the world .
The talks programme is always a particular highlight of Surface Design Show . The Main Stage , designed by Emily Skinner of recycling pioneers Smile Plastics , will host 18 different presentations and feature more than 40 speakers , inspiring a professional audience of architects and designers .