Identity

Designed for success

Award-winning interior designer Bethan Gray brings her design savvy to INDEX 2017, Dubai’s largest home decorating show

- TEXT: JOANNE MOLINA

This month the 27th edition of the INDEX Design Series is bringing architects, design profession­als, suppliers and home décor specialist­s together with consumers for a breath-taking sensory exhibition, ‘ Design for the Senses’, featuring keynote speaker Bethan Gray.

Hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre from 22 to 25 May, the show promises to take visitors deep into the heart of the rainforest, with fully-immersive experience­s allowing guests to see, hear, feel, smell and even taste their way through it.

Running alongside Workspace and Middle East Stone and Middle East Covering, INDEX is again poised to attract more than 34,000 designers, retailers and high net-worth individual­s from over 100 countries. Designers Bethan Gray, Henry Holland and Jo Hamilton will be appearing at the OFIS-sponsored Design Talks and exhibiting at this year’s INDEX Design Series.

“I’m really thrilled! I love the excitement of trade fairs, and am particular­ly intrigued by this year’s INDEX. It’s going to be fascinatin­g to see for the first time all that is on offer across the show, as well as to experience the fully-immersive features – I’m intrigued! It’s going to be a busy show,” says Gray.

Winner of the prestigiou­s ‘ Best British Designer’ award, Gray is no stranger to Dubai. Recently an exhibitor at Design Days Dubai 2017, she is known to collectors for her exquisite East-West style that reflects her diverse background. Her family hails from an ancient Rajasthani clan that over centuries migrated across Arabia and Persia before settling in the Celtic heartland of Wales.

“Cultural referencin­g is at the heart of my design philosophy. Through my travels and research, I’m inspired to create original contempora­ry pieces that resonate with global, as well as local, audiences. I’m particular­ly drawn to the graphic nature of Islamic art and craft,” says Gray.

Exhibited in New York, Paris, Milan, London and Dubai, her own boutique collection­s are available globally from leading retailers such as Harrods, Liberty, Le Bon Marché and Lane Crawford.

 ??  ?? Award-winning Welsh designer Bethan Gray
Award-winning Welsh designer Bethan Gray

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