TheUrbanative Takes South African Design to Copenhagen’s Prestigious 3daysofdesign Festival

This June, South African design studio TheUrbanative will join some of the world’s most exciting contemporary creatives at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, participating in White Label Project’s Female Design Future showcase. Recognised as one of the leading events on the global design calendar, the festival brings together architects, designers, manufacturers, collectors, galleries, and media for a week dedicated to the ideas shaping the future of design.

For TheUrbanative, the invitation represents more than an international exhibition. It marks a significant moment in a decade-long journey defined by craftsmanship, storytelling, and material exploration.

Founded by Mpho Vackier, TheUrbanative has built a distinctive design language that draws from African narratives while engaging with contemporary global design conversations. Through furniture, lighting, and collectable objects, the studio explores how heritage, culture, and materiality can be translated into forms that feel both deeply rooted and internationally relevant.

The collection travelling to Copenhagen reflects this ongoing exploration. Alongside a selection of TheUrbanative’s own works, the exhibition includes collaborative pieces developed with fellow South African creatives, highlighting the importance of shared knowledge, creative exchange, and contemporary making. From woven surfaces and handcrafted details to sculptural forms and innovative material applications, the pieces examine the intersection between craft and industry, tradition and innovation.

The festival’s 2026 theme, Make This Moment Matter, resonates strongly with the studio’s participation. As part of Female Design Future, TheUrbanative joins a global platform celebrating the contributions of women-led design practices and the diverse voices shaping contemporary design culture.

For Vackier, the significance extends beyond presenting a collection. It is an opportunity to contribute a South African perspective to an international audience while demonstrating the calibre of design, craftsmanship, and manufacturing emerging from the continent.

As TheUrbanative prepares for Copenhagen from 10 to 12 June 2026, the showcase stands as both a celebration of the studio’s journey and a recognition of the makers, collaborators, and creative community that have helped shape its story over the last decade.