Design Circus: Patricia Urquiola. Perth

Globally recognised designer and architect Patricia Urquiola was the keynote speaker for the 10^th year of Design Circus, following in the footsteps of other international superstars such as Michael Anastassiades, Doshi Levien, Patrizia Moroso and Jaime Hayon.

Through a lens of community and collaboration, Mobilia’s Design Circus stands as a pillar of philanthropy and connection. Managing director Sam Fazzari first came across the format in Madrid, Spain in 2013, where CuldeSac’s creative director Pepe Garcia showcased an exhibition-style event series – and Sam was so inspired he knew he had to bring it back to Australia.

“I was really taken aback by how experiential that whole exhibition was and how well it transmitted the message about design,” he says. “Being so far away from Europe, I thought this would be a great platform to cultivate a deeper understanding about design in Perth.”

While the current iteration of Design Circus has shifted and adapted over time, some of the core principles haven’t – and that’s giving back to community through charity. For Sam, social responsibility is an obligation for designers, who should be both responsive to and engaged in the communities they serve.

The two sold out shows in Perth, and for the first time in Melbourne, raised over $35,000 for ToyBox Australia, a charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged and sick children.

Thank you to everyone who has showed support for Design Circus over the past 10 years, we can’t for the next 10!

Urquiola, a Spanish-born architect and designer, co-founded Studio Urquiola in 2001 and has left an indelible mark with her innovative contributions across various fields. As an integral part of five major brands represented by Mobilia in Australia, Urquiola’s designs are part of the collections at Cassina, CC-tapis, Moroso, and Kettal, and some of her new pieces made their debut outside of Europe for the first time.

"Creating a dialogue between Australian design and international design is one of the ways we support the design community. Not just by bringing the local design community together, but by exposing local designers to the inspirational stories, experiences, and work of many of the most important designers of our time," explained Fazzari.

In addition to her involvement in Design Circus, Urquiola served as the ambassador for Vogue Living’s inaugural VL50 Awards, presented in partnership with Mobilia.

Design Circus, which originated in Madrid in 2010 and made its Australian debut in Perth in 2014, has consistently united the design community while raising funds for charity. This year, all proceeds from the event were donated to ToyBox Australia, supporting its mission to improve the lives of sick and disadvantaged children across the country.

ToyBox Australia expressed excitement about partnering with Design Circus, emphasising the importance of fundraising efforts in providing distraction therapy and support to children in need.

Marking another milestone in its illustrious journey, Design Circus promises to continue inspiring designers, cultivating the design industry, and giving back to the community through its charitable initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who came along and supported this year’s Design Circus.