TheUrbanative at 3 Days of Design: Reflections from Copenhagen

In June 2026, TheUrbanative participated in our first 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen as part of White Label Project's Female Design Futures exhibition. Showcasing the award-winning Wadi Screen in collaboration with Grey Room, the Nenzima Blanket in collaboration with Something Good Studio, the Marble Muk'eti, and the newly launched Makgabe Ottoman, the exhibition marked an important step in our international journey. Founder and Creative Director Mpho Vackier reflects on the experience, the conversations that emerged, and what it means for the future of African design.

Mpho Vackier Pictured with works from WLP's 3DD Copenhagen's Female Futures Designs: Milla Novo and Yael Anders works

There are moments in a designer's career that leave a lasting impression, not because of a single product launch or business opportunity, but because they shift the way you think about design and its place in the world.

For TheUrbanative, participating in 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen was one of those moments.

As first-time exhibitors at the festival, we arrived eager to share our work with an international audience. What we discovered was much more than a design event. Copenhagen itself became a platform for creativity, with galleries, showrooms, installations, workshops, and public spaces all contributing to a city-wide celebration of design. Everywhere we went, there was a sense of curiosity and openness. People weren't simply looking at products. They wanted to understand process, culture, materials, and the stories behind the objects.

That appetite for meaningful design conversations felt particularly relevant to TheUrbanative's approach to design.

A Celebration of Craft, Materiality and Storytelling

One of the most inspiring aspects of the festival was seeing how designers around the world are embracing craft, materiality, and storytelling with renewed confidence.

There was a noticeable shift away from novelty for novelty's sake. Instead, many of the exhibitions focused on authenticity, longevity, and meaningful connections to place and culture. Traditional techniques were being reimagined through contemporary lenses, resulting in work that felt both innovative and deeply human.

There was also a strong emphasis on tactility. In an increasingly digital world, it was refreshing to encounter so much attention given to texture, material exploration, and the sensory experience of objects. Across exhibitions, designers were celebrating natural materials, imperfect surfaces, and the visible evidence of the making process.

The experience served as a reminder that innovation doesn't always come from technology. Often, it emerges from looking at familiar materials and techniques in new ways.

Works by TheUrbanative,Topis Ceramica, Puna Lima and Guculiya Decor at Brigade Gallery, Copenhagen

A Changing Global Design Landscape

Perhaps one of the most encouraging observations was the growing diversity of voices shaping contemporary design. For many years, international design conversations were dominated by a relatively narrow set of aesthetics and perspectives. Today, there is a growing appetite for local narratives, culturally rooted design, and authentic storytelling.

Consumers, collectors, specifiers, and curators are increasingly interested in understanding where objects come from, who made them, and the stories they carry. The conversation is shifting away from simply creating more products and towards creating meaningful products.

For designers from regions that have historically been underrepresented on the global stage, this shift creates exciting opportunities to contribute new perspectives and expand the design dialogue.

Female Design Futures

TheUrbanative participated in White Label Project's Female Design Futures exhibition, exhibiting alongside fourteen female designers from different countries, disciplines, and cultural backgrounds.

What made the exhibition particularly special was the diversity of approaches on display. Each designer brought a distinct visual language and perspective, yet together the exhibition felt cohesive because it celebrated individuality rather than conformity.

There was also a remarkable sense of generosity and mutual support throughout the exhibition. Rather than competing for attention, designers were genuinely interested in each other's work, processes, and experiences. The conversations that emerged between participants were as valuable as those taking place with visitors.

Female Design Futures was significant because it created a platform for conversations that extended beyond design itself. While representation was an important aspect of the exhibition, the focus remained firmly on ideas, craft, material exploration, culture, and innovation. The result was a powerful showcase of the richness and diversity that exists within contemporary design practice.

For TheUrbanative, it was an honour to represent South Africa within that dialogue.

Brigade Gallery, Copenhagen

Sharing TheUrbanative with the World

The response to our work was incredibly encouraging. Visitors were particularly interested in how we integrate African narratives, craftsmanship, and material exploration into contemporary design. Many conversations centred on our design process, local manufacturing, and the stories that inform our collections.

Our award-winning Wadi Screen, created in collaboration with Grey Room, generated significant interest due to its sculptural presence and layered storytelling. The Nenzima Blanket, developed in collaboration with Something Good Studio, also sparked discussions around textile traditions, collaboration, and the intersection of art, craft, and design.

What was most rewarding was that people connected not only with the aesthetics of the pieces but also with the values and ideas behind them.

Conversations That Matter

Many of the most memorable discussions throughout the festival centred on authenticity and identity.

There was genuine curiosity about contemporary African design and the role African designers are playing within global design conversations. Visitors wanted to understand our materials, processes, collaborations, and cultural references. They were interested in how local stories can be translated into contemporary objects without becoming nostalgic.

Craftsmanship also emerged as a recurring theme. In a world increasingly shaped by speed and mass production, there remains a deep appreciation for work that is carefully considered, thoughtfully crafted, and connected to human skill.

Another important topic was sustainability, not only in environmental terms but also in cultural ones. How do we preserve knowledge, skills, and stories through design? How do we ensure that traditional craftsmanship remains relevant within contemporary practice?

These conversations reinforced the idea that meaningful design transcends geography.

TheUrbanative at 3DD: Material Matters

Looking Forward

One of the most valuable lessons from Copenhagen was the reminder that participating in international design conversations does not require abandoning your own perspective. If anything, the opposite is true.

The work that resonated most strongly throughout the festival was work that felt authentic, specific, and deeply rooted in its own context. That realisation reinforced our belief that TheUrbanative's strength lies in remaining connected to our stories, materials, and way of making.

The experience has strengthened our conviction that African designers have an important role to play in shaping the future of global design. Our stories, techniques, materials, and perspectives bring something valuable to the broader conversation.

Leaving Copenhagen, we felt inspired by the creativity we encountered and optimistic about the opportunities ahead. For TheUrbanative, this feels less like a milestone and more like the beginning of a much larger conversation. One where African design is not viewed as an emerging voice, but as an essential part of the future of design itself.