“Among the sponsors of the 2008 International Carpet Design Awards were Booria, Europe Importers Union (EUCA) and Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA). The competition has become a milestone for the industry because of the new trends which are exhibited. There are ten categories in the competition all directed towards modern and classic designed hand-made carpets.”

Carpet Design Awards (CDA) has been organized for the third time at the Domotex Hannover fair on January 12, 2008. There are 10 categories all based on modern and classic designed hand-made carpets. The winner of this competition was to receive a 10,000 Euro cash prize.  Aside from the winner of this competition there was a seperate category for a winner chosen by the votes of the visitors of Domotex. This category was the “The most prefered design” category. Visitors who have voted for this award also got a chance for winning a trip to the Domotex Middle East Fair which will be held in between the dates of 25-27 May 2008.  With the record number of applications this year, Carpet Design Awards was organized by Domotex Hannover and Centaur Publications who is the publisher of magazines such as Modern Carpets & Textiles and Hal.  This competition is considered a milestone for anyone involved in the process.

Beside the existence of extreme competition between the designs in the contest, the number of the participating manufacturers has doubled compared to last year. It is logical to say that Carpet Design Awards have a very important purpose in the sector. The judges determined the winners by examining 140 designs from 15 different countries. The winners were handed  their prizes by Stephan Künhe, the head of the board of Deutsche Messe AG and Sebastian Ghandch, the editor of Centaur Publications. The competition has become a kind of tradition in Domotex Hannover and it is accepted by the participants and visitors with a great respect.

According to their material, quality, design, colour and technical success, the chosen 11 designs are given below:

The best modern design with a M2 under 100 euro: Akhavan-Farshtchi Looms of Persia

The best modern design with a m2 changing in between 100-250 euro: m3 interior concepts

The best design with a m2 over 250 euro: Floor to Heaven

The best traditional nomad design with a m2 under 150 euro: Heidarian Carpet

The best traditional nomad design with a m2 over 150 euro: Zollanvari

The best traditional studio design: Öz-Kent/ Woven Legends

The best old/antique nomad carpet: Zollanvari

The best old/antique studio carpet: Ipek-Ipektchi

The best collection: Zollanvari

The best innovation: Floor to Heaven