Decorex Joburg, top of the Pops

One of our major highlights was watching Drip AM’s clay (yes, clay) extruder in action. The compact additive manufacturing machine — which they designed themselves — builds up finely detailed 3D models in clay for anything your heart desires.

Another high was ceramicist Justin Brett’s new range of sculptural vessels. These caught our eye for their Japanese infused minimalist aesthetic and their limitless possibilities (stack, style and arrange them as you wish).

Cape Town flat-pack furniture brand Popstrukt launched its newest hue ­— Soda Pop Orange — a high voltage colour that feels like a jolt to the system. We also eyed their brand-new Waffle baskets in characteristically luscious colourways.

The show’s free talks line-up was a win and featured leading lights in the local creative field. A few favourites included Dr Sechaba Maape’s discussion on African indigenous design identity, Steve Smith’s panel on the business of design and Steve Tanchel and Kokona Ribane’s discussion on South Africa’s digital art future.

Fashion designer Wanda Lephoto’s new capsule collection drew the crowds. Using the historic Ghana Must Go bag as his departure point, the iconic African print for his garments was reproduced as a wallpaper too, produced in collaboration with Cara Saven.

Newcomers Studio Ananta stole the show with their fun and eccentric designs (not to mention the vibrant outfits of these sister designers). With the purpose of uplifting humanity through creativity, the duo channel their skills into craft-based empowerment projects, using beads and waste materials to create dazzling decorative items.

Other stands to note included: Superbalist, whose online homeware and furniture collection manifested offline for the first time; Tshepo Sealetsa (in collab with Plascon), whose independent design practice was unveiled in characteristically sophisticated style; Tandem, for their new Mesh Mash collection of mesh armchairs and tables; and finally Cover Styl’ whose myriad architectural wrapping films for kitchen surfaces offer a world of possibilities for home renovators.