Hannover, Germany—An international jury of design and carpet industry experts have selected finalists for the Carpet Design Awards 2021.
Domotex said 27 finalists reached the final round of the competition for carpet design and judges will select from 396 handmade carpets submitted worldwide from Australia to Canada. Three exclusive examples from each of nine categories, which combine design, quality and craftsmanship, made it to the finals. Selection criteria included design and design concept, material, finish, texture and quality as well as sustainability and branding.
The awards, presented for the 16th time in collaboration with Cover and Hali, have been celebrating contemporary carpet design for more than 15 years. “This year everything is different,” said Sonia Wedell-Castellano, global director, Domotex, Deutsche Messe AG. “We are all the more pleased about the many international submissions, which confirm our decision to hold the Carpet Design Awards again this year and to have the ceremony take place in a virtual setting. The audience can look forward to many innovative and first-class designs and discover trends and novelties. The Carpet Design Awards are always a highlight and highly regarded in the international carpet industry—their results are already eagerly awaited.”
Graham Head, carpet expert and former president and vice chairman, ABC Carpet & Home, added, “This year, CDA was very unique and interesting due to the fact that so many of us were forced into isolation. The lack of usual trade shows, following trends and cross pollination, really stirred in some creativity within the rug business. What really surprised me was the quality and originality visible in all entries, a special case of purity of design without corruption. It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the judging panel again.”
The winners will be announced at an exclusive awards ceremony on May 20, 2021 at a virtual live event and will broadcast on the Domotex website, according to show organizers.