Design LAB curated by Rossana Orlandi: call for designers concludes, manufacturers application will open soon

A total of 22 Hungarian designers submitted their visual designs by the 30^th of May 2023, whose 35 product ideas, including several product lines, are competing for entry into the incubation program. As a member of the judging committee, Rossana Orlandi, an internationally recognized gallerist and curator, will also review and evaluate the applications in the next few weeks. The ideas selected on the basis of professional aspects will be realized through collaboration between the manufacturers and designers after the manufacturer's call.

The design LAB incubation program aims to foster collaborations among key stakeholders in the sector, including manufacturers and designers, with the objective of strengthening and modernizing the domestic manufacturing background. The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency recognizes the significance of providing wide visibility and export opportunities for these collaborations, which necessitates an international approach. As the program enters its fourth edition, it is proud to announce the addition of Italian curator Rossana Orlandi. With her extensive experience as the owner of one of the world's largest showrooms and her exceptional talent for discovering internationally recognized designers, Orlandi will contribute to every stage of the program, from idea selection to international presentation.

In the first round of the design LAB curated by Rossana Orlandi program, designers were able to submit their applications. Out of the 35 product ideas received in the form of visual designs, the judging committee - along with Rossana Orlandi - will select those that manufacturers can join in the next phase. During the evaluation, freshness and creativity are highlighted, along with the preservation of Hungarian culture and traditions, while meeting international expectations.

The selected product ideas will be available in written form on the Agency's website. Manufacturers can join the submitted designs according to the guidelines published in the upcoming manufacturer's call. The second round, therefore, is a joint application in which the product ideas submitted by the designers are complemented by a manufacturer's implementation project plan. The judging committee will review the applications of the collaborations, and the selected manufacturer-designer pairs will have the opportunity to bring their plans to life. The realization of production-ready products will take place from September until the 31^st of January 2024, and the process will be supported by Rossana Orlandi through monthly online consultations.