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AS THE BUSINESS DIRECTOR FOR H&G EXPO, ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S LARGEST EXHIBITION COMPANIES, GLENASHLEY’S CAIREY BAXTER-BRUCE IS PLUGGED INTO THE LATEST HOUSE AND GARDEN TRENDS, WRITES CANDICE BOTHA
airey Baxter-Bruce’s job as business director for H&G Expos involves developing new ventures and overall growth for the company, which manages many events countrywide each year, as well as heading up the East Coast Radio House & Garden Show and Beauty Revolution, a festival celebrating inclusivity and Africa’s diversity within the beauty industry. “I love the fact that I am able to get involved in all aspects of the business and get to re-invent, innovate and grow exhibitions year on year,” she says. Cairey (below) and her team keep tabs on trends to ensure the shows they plan wow visitors and keep them coming back for fresh ideas and inspiration. “For the East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, we consider core elements of modern life – personal, social, environmental, economic and also those unique to the region – as guiding principles to shape what we include in the show,” she says, adding that the influence of a growing preference for experiences over things has prompted the team to plan customised features which include interactive demonstrations, shopping and food experiences, and local design installations. “Self-expression on digital platforms is leading the way and breaking the moulds of traditional trends which have always been set by large corporates and retail brands. This is creating a refreshing uniqueness in interior and lifestyle perspectives at the moment,” Cairey says. “It’s important to remember that while being ‘on-trend’ can bring a lot of gratification, individual style is at the heart of making a home for years to come. Personal style, online influence and best practices like sustainability will soon be widely followed over trends,” she explains. This is a philosophy Cairey lives by, and the home she shares with her husband, son and
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daughter strikes a balance between style and practicality. “Being a parent does not mean you have to give up on decor, and wanting a beautiful home does not mean you can’t have children! Parenting doesn’t leave too much time for styling, though, so I’ve tried to combine key classic pieces with accessories adding style. This means I can easily change the look without a complete redesign or spending too much.” For this year, Cairey says the influence of nature is everywhere. “Lifestyle trends are still very much about aligning the home with nature,
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