Designer Q&A: Jo Hamilton returns to INDEX Dubai

After a hugely successful double appearance at INDEX 2017 Design Talks, Jo Hamilton will be returning as keynote speaker on a series of expert-led panel discussions at 2018’s INDEX Dubai.

Her consultancy – running since 1995 – has overseen a whole catalogue of high-end, international developments in the likes of London, New York, Miami, Geneva and Dubai, ranging from exclusive city apartments to stylish country retreats; from bars, clubs and restaurants to homes, offices and hotels.

We wanted to find out how she was feeling about returning and what she’s got planned for the show…

What made you so enthusiastic about returning to Dubai and to INDEX?

Many things! The design scene in Dubai has really come a long way in the last five or ten years, and nowhere is this more evident than at INDEX. Dubai has a thirst for beautiful design. There is a great sense of progress and a willingness to do things differently which I find refreshing and very exciting. But what is key is that this is all underpinned by an appreciation of workmanship which, again, was very clear in the breadth and quality of exhibitors at last year’s event.

Observatory Gardens, London

Our theme for 2018 is Design for Expression. What does that mean to you?

Design is a form of expression, and when I design a client’s home, hotel, office, or whatever, I go to great lengths to see the world through their eyes so that I express their views, aspirations and hopes for the property in my designs. In fact, one of the best compliments I get from clients is when they say that I have interpreted their style perfectly in my designs even though they didn’t think they had one. And that’s what great design can do for people: it gives them an outlet to express themselves, so it’s great to be celebrating design for expression.

A year down the line since we last chatted with you, what trends have since grown or are en route to becoming the big styles of 2018?

Mixed metallics have been a growing trend for some time now, with silver-toned metals having shifted to one side to allow for warmer toned metallics, brass, gold, bronze and copper into schemes. Bronze is really starting to take centre stage though and will be big in 2018. Beautiful, simple bronze hardware and accents can add a huge amount of reserved elegance to a design.

Greenwich Village, New York

For more information and to get your ticket visit www.indexexhibition.com