Shifting Focus from New York and Milan: Five Emerging Cities Leading Design Trends - Discover the Creative Minds and Locations That Make Them Essential Destinations
In the ever-evolving world of design, a paradigm shift is needed to unlock the power and beauty of great design. This shift can be found in some of the world's underrated cities, teeming with talent and brimming with creativity. Let's embark on a journey to discover four such cities: Kobe, São Paulo, Marrakech, and Mexico City.
Kobe, Japan, a port city known for its geographical location as a platform for the convergence of different ideas, artisanal languages, and culinary flavors, is home to the Kitano Ijinkan-Gai district. This district is a series of 19th-century merchant mansions that blend European architecture with Japanese details, materials, and palettes. Vague Kobe, a gallery and design store, focuses on local makers and offers exhibitions, talks, and curated objects that give insight into the city's creative pulse.
The city's design scene is also reflected in its accommodations, such as the Arimasansoh Goshobessho, a luxury ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) set in the foothills of the Rokko mountains, and the La Valise hotel, offering warmly decorated, antiques and curios-filled rooms. Kobe's culinary scene is noteworthy, with restaurants like Sushi Kissui, offering a coveted dining experience, and Espice, providing Asian-European fusion cuisine with minimalist interiors.
São Paulo, Brazil, known for its cultural diversity, layered design, and evolving design scene, is another underrated city on our list. The city's design scene includes iconic architecture, modern interiors, street art, and a vibrant arts scene. São Paulo's culinary scene is also noteworthy, with restaurants like Restaurante Fasano and Bar da Dona Onça. The city's accommodations include the Rosewood São Paulo and Casa Bradesco da Cultura.
In São Paulo, design hotels, globally acclaimed restaurants, artful cocktail bars, immersive galleries and museums, and other attractions abound. The city is home to famous artists and designers, such as Lina Bo Bardi, who designed the iconic São Paulo Museum of Art building, and contemporary Brazilian artists featured in institutions such as the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art and Galeria Choque Cultural.
Marrakech, Morocco, is known for its rich architectural tapestry, earthy colors, and packed-with-spice culinary delights. This creative expressions stem from the collision of multiple worlds, centuries-old symbolism, and history. The city is home to the Koutoubia Mosque, known for its iconic red stone facade, lush gardens, and layered interiors. Other notable attractions include the Madrasa Ben Youssef, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of proportion, mosaic, and calligraphy, and the Bahia Palace, offering opulent decor and precious tilework, offering a glimpse into the country's royal history and 19th-century elite.
Marrakech's design scene is also thriving, with design hotels like MORO, offering a ten-suite stay nestled within the oasis of Jardin Majorelle, and Nobu Marrakech, offering an Asian-infused restaurant with stylish interiors and a stellar dining experience. The city's leather goods, jackets, shoes, and handwoven rugs available in its markets and shops are highly sought after for their timeless and personal touch.
Lastly, we arrive in Mexico City, a city known for its community-driven design scene, reinvention of architectural landmarks, and emphasis on nature. The city's design scene includes the Condesa DF hotel, designed by India Mahdavi and JSa, offering a design-conscious stay that captures the energy of CDMX, with bright and airy rooms inspired by monastic living. The award-winning restaurant Expendio de Maíz Sin Nombre offers a no-menu culinary feast, centered around heirloom corn dishes, personalized for a one-of-a-kind, Omakase-style experience.
Mexico City's notable attractions include Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Museo Anahuacalli, Cuadra San Cristóbal, Museo Nacional de Antropología, Museo Tamayo, and Espacio Escultórico UNAM. The city's shopping destinations include Casa Bosques, a Savvy Studio-designed bookshop, guesthouse, artist residency, and chocolate workshop, and Onora, a Polanco concept store and design atelier.
In Mexico City, we also find JAJJAH TEA, a multifunctional platform offering a Moroccan café, gallery, and boutique in Sidi Ghanem, the off-the-beaten-path, rising design district of Marrakech. The Hotel San Fernando, a 19-room boutique stay, offers a time-traveling palette of pale greens, salmons, and terracotta tones, with immersive arched walls and tiled surfaces. The leather goods, jackets, shoes, and handwoven rugs available in Marrakech's markets and shops are highly sought after for their timeless and personal touch.
Lagos, Nigeria, another underrated city, is known for its openness and tolerance, fostering an environment in which design, innovation, and creativity can flourish. The city's design scene includes the La Mamounia in Marrakech, a palatial hotel offering luxury rooms, suites, and riads, expansive spa options, and sprawling jardins. The city's accommodations include The Wheatbaker, EbonyLife Place, 16/16, and Bogobiri.
Lagos' culinary scene is also noteworthy, with restaurants like RSVP, SLoW, Kaly Restaurant & Bar Lounge, and SLoW Brasserie. The city's notable attractions include MILIKI, Freedom Park, Rele Gallery, ODA Art Gallery, Tiwani Contemporary Gallery, and the Lagos Biennial.
These cities, while often overlooked, are hidden gems in the world of design. Each offers a unique blend of culture, history, and creativity, making them must-visit destinations for design enthusiasts. So, whether you're exploring the vibrant streets of São Paulo, immersing yourself in the rich history of Marrakech, or marvelling at the modernity of Mexico City or Kobe, you're sure to find a design experience that will leave you inspired.
