Sleep announces 2017 theme
Sleep will return to London’s Business Design Centre from 21-22 November for a show guided by the central theme of Loyalty: Lessons in Love. Welcoming over 4,700 attendees in 2016, Sleep 2017 will see the return of the annual Sleep Set competition and Spaces product showcase as well as the conference strand and carefully curated exhibition element.
Sponsored this year by Kohler, Sleep Set – wherein leading international design practices bring the theme to life through a guestroom exploring the emotive aspects of hospitality – will see Stonehill & Taylor, Il Prisma, MKV Design and 1508 London bring a spectrum of cultural, geographic and industry perspectives to the mix.
“I am a strong believer in the global exchange of ideas and the international creative process,” says Vince Stroop, Principal, Stonehill & Taylor. “It is an honour to participate in this year’s Sleep Set and help demonstrate that the design community will always be committed to new ways of smart thinking and embracing progress.”
Visitors will be able to hear the designers make their case before a panel of judges in a conference session on day one, followed by the announcement of the winner on day two.
Brands set to exhibit as part of the exhibition strand of this year’s event include Bette UK, Astro Lighting, Brintons Carpets, Chelsom and Grohe, amongst others. Elsewhere, THG Paris is set to highlight its transitional new Dean collection, whilst Alpi will showcase ranges designed by Kengo Kuma, Piero Lissoni and the Campana Brothers, which balance impressions of nature with graphic patterns. Exhibition newcomers include Mitsushige Nishiwaki, and Avivo Lighting.
Exploring the theme of loyalty through a series of panels and keynotes from operators, investors, designers and innovators, the conference strand welcomes debate around topics likely to impact the industry in months to come. Meanwhile, the roundtable meetings will offer face-to-face opportunities to learn from industry leaders.
The returning Spaces concept, a collection of product showcases designed as an imaginative interpretation of different hotel areas, will further explore loyalty through designs that emphasise touchpoints within the guest journey. Conformed participants include Bang & Olufsen; Serralunga / Symo Parasols; Unopiù; Fabio Alemanno Design; Brintons; Roca; Crosswater; 10Deka; Sans Souci; Yapiarti and Caberlon Caroppi.
Sleep 2017 will once again stay open late on day one to allow time-pressured designers to attend and network with a party vibe. This year will also see Sleep collaborating with customer satisfaction research company Ipsos Loyalty to deliver the central narrative.
Grohe, a key partner of Sleep since its inception, will headline as founder sponsor and host the VIP lounge, where it will again display its newest kitchen and bath innovations including the Ceramics and Colours collections.
“Sleep is a community of boundary-pushing innovators and design philosophers who are intuitively aware of how spaces affect human nature,” adds Joel Butler, Brand Director of Sleep. “Sleep 2017’s theme plays to this strength. Whether family, friends, colleagues, or hotel guests, the qualities of loyalty and love speak to every person’s desire to feel valued. At this year’s event, visitors will learn how design can spark feelings of wellbeing and love, which in turn creates cherished experiences guests seek to recapture through repeat visits. After all, being hospitable should be at the heart of the hospitality business.”
