ADA Talk: Design Show / From Icons to Imitations

Can the Future of Interior Design Survive the Copycat Era?

Join us on Friday July 13th at 12.30 pm with Cultivated at Design Show, MCEC Melbourne. Free registration.

Gain valuable insights into sustainable interior design and authentic sourcing, and understand why this is critical to protecting the future of the Australian interior fit-out industry.

From Icons to Imitations: Can the Future of Interior Design Survive the Copycat Era?

Authentic Design Alliance (ADA) director Anne-Maree Sargeant in conversation with Joshua Ellis, Cultivated brand manager for Cult.

We unpack specifier essentials on how investing in authentic design is not only an ethical choice but also the most sustainable one—helping reduce waste, support original creators, and preserve industry innovation.

About: From Icons to Imitations: Can the Future of Interior Design Survive the Copycat Era?

When: Friday, 13 June 12:50 pm – 1:30 pm

Where: Design Stage, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)  

Trade Registration: Free attendance with registration Get your free access here →


Why Authentic Design Matters More Than Ever

Are the products and finishes you specify in your projects contributing unknowingly to an environmental crisis?

Poor procurement choices—such as selecting replica lounge chairs or fast-furniture with limited lifespan—fuel an escalating waste problem in interior design.

Beyond environmental harm, copycat culture erodes trust, stifles innovation, and ultimately damages the reputation of designers and brands.

In this session, the Authentic Design Alliance teams up with Cultivated to expose the hidden costs of specifying fake products.

We’ll explore the environmental and ethical impacts of copy culture and provide practical guidance on how to champion authentic sourcing.

Learn how choosing genuine, original designs creates lasting value for clients, safeguards the planet, and protects the livelihoods of creative professionals.


What You’ll Take Away

  • A clear understanding of the true environmental cost of replicas and short-lived furniture

  • Insights into how copy culture undermines innovation and industry integrity

  • Practical strategies to educate clients and avoid specifying copies

  • How authentic design supports sustainability and ethical procurement in interiors

  • The advantages of specifying and investing in refurbished authentic designs for residential and commercial projects


Who Should Attend?

This talk is essential for interior designers, architects, specifiers, procurement professionals, and anyone passionate about sustainable, ethical design.

Whether you’re managing fit-outs, designing interiors, or specifying furniture, understanding the impact of your choices is crucial to the future of the industry.


Don’t Miss Out — Register for Free Today!

Join us in leading the movement toward authentic, sustainable interior design that values originality and environmental responsibility.

Register here for free access →

designshow.com.au


Protect originality. Champion sustainability. Shape the future of interior design.


Contact us here to register for future sessions on circular practice within furniture, objects, industrial, and interior design and architecture. 


 

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