Competition: Kanebridge Quarterly supporting the next generation of Australian designers

The pandemic may already feel like a distant memory, but it had many lessons for the way we live — some with long standing impact.

For designers, architects and builders, one of the biggest takeaways was the value of supporting Australian design and manufacturing. With supply chains severely compromised, extending delivery times from a few weeks to several months, those who could design and make high quality furniture, flooring and lighting on Australian shores found themselves in high demand. And it was not just delivery times that were driving renewed interest in Australian design and manufacturing. Superior products designed for local conditions, as well as the ability to customise products to suit each clients’ needs showed the market for Australian products is significant, particularly at the upper end of the residential market where the desire to ‘connect’ directly with makers continues to grow.

It’s long overdue recognition for a sector dominated by imports, even at the highest end of the residential sector.

THE NEXT GENERATION

The long-term success of Australian design and manufacturing depends on supporting the next emerging generation of designers, which is why Kanebridge Quarterly magazine has partnered with Australia’s Next Top Designer this year, offering a cash prize of $10,000 to the winner for the first time.

Launched in 2022 by Design Show Australia, Australia’s Next Top Designers was created to shine a spotlight on emerging designers, makers and creatives with breakthrough products and concepts shaping the future of design.

Editor in chief of Kanebridge Quarterly, Robyn Willis, says the prize provides opportunity for emerging designers to develop prototypes, invest in marketing or further their education, formally or through travel experiences.

“It’s genuinely exciting for Kanebridge Quarterly to be partnering with Australia’s Next Top Designer this year,” she says. “The awards offer a platform for the next generation of emerging designers to showcase their work to industry while the prize is a practical pathway to help them on their way to the next stage of their career.”

DESIGN TITLE WITH A DIFFERENCE

Kanebridge Quarterly magazine is a seasonal title distributed across Australia focusing on the three pillars of Property, Money and Living. Aimed at a curated, engaged audience, it’s a beautiful publication, low on jargon but high on information about everything to make your residential design project successful.

Each year it dedicates an issue to all things Australian made. Stories about Australian designers, innovators, thought leaders, destinations and more highlight the depth and breadth of local talent in a beautifully packaged publication designed to have a long shelf life.

As part of its collaboration with Australia’s Next Top Designer, Kanebridge Quarterly magazine is running editorial spreads in its Winter 2024 edition to coincide with the show, followed by a focus on the category winners in the Spring 2024 issue.

“It’s part of our ongoing commitment to stand with industry and bring the work of local designers, makers and innovators to a wider audience thirsty for practical ways to integrate quality furniture and lighting into their residential spaces.

We’re delighted to be a part of The Design Show and Australia’s Next Top Designer.”

Learn more about Australia’s Next Top Designer Awards and apply to enter at designshow.com.au/antd. Submissions close Thursday, 4 April 2024.

Stay above the noise and ahead of the crowd with Australia’s best advice and inspiration on property, investing and residential design in Kanebridge Quarterly magazine.

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

Competition: Kanebridge Quarterly supporting the next generation of Australian designers

Kanebridge Quarterly is proud to partner with Australia’s Next Top Designers competition at The Design Show in Sydney

THE NEXT GENERATION

DESIGN TITLE WITH A DIFFERENCE

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.