Visitors to this year’s Decorex show at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, in South Africa from the 31st July to the 3rd August were treated to a very unusual sight in Hall 2. Nestling neatly in-between all the décor stands was the Fiat 500, the ultimate lifestyle accessory.

Decorex brings the South African visitor new fusion: of modern and focused. Urban and rural. The designed and the discovered. The exotic and the close to home. The linear and the lustrous. The organic and the ornate. The world is not new to cross-cultural influences. East has been meeting West on the trade winds for centuries. Yet, never before has the fusing process been so intense, nor the sources of inspiration so truly global.

After a decade and a half, and with shows in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, Decorex stands for sheer excellence and a unique blend of the emerging and the established; manufacturers and suppliers – large and small. Trade professionals and consumers can indulge in the haute and the handmade; the new simple and the avant-garde. "The Decorex experience is a playing field where differences are celebrated and where it’s more about the mix than the match," says Cairey Slater, general manager exhibitions. "Decor flavours from around the world and design ingredients from our doorstep merge in this melting pot," adds Melanie Robinson, director.

To qualify as 'the ultimate accessory', consider this: The Fiat 500 is the first ‘small’ car to offer so much in the way of content: from the standard kit to the customisation options, there’s an endless choice (500 000 choices – from decals to fragrances). In ‘basic’ form though, three trim outfits have been selected: Pop, Lounge and Sport. The entry-level Pop spec in South Africa is exclusively available on the 1.2. Extremely well equipped, standard equipment includes seven airbags (including a driver’s kneebag), ABS with EBD, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, height-adjustable driver’s seat, air-conditioning and audio controls on the steering.

The 1.4 versions in South Africa are available in either Lounge or Sport guise. In Sport trim, 15” alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, leather ‘Sporting’ steering wheel, Stability Control (ESP), Traction Control (ASR), Hillholder, Sport-specific internal upholstery and colours, as well as Blue&Me (audio and telephone connectivity) are added to the package.  The Lounge outfit is similarly specified to the Sport but features different 15” alloys and forgoes the rear spoiler for chrome-trimmed details and a fixed glass roof. As with the Sport, this model boasts Lounge-specific internal upholstery and colours.

Recommended pricing in South Africa starts with the Fiat 500 1.2 Pop (R149 000), followed by the Fiat 500 1.4 Lounge (R179 000) and Fiat 500 1.4 Sport (R179 000), and all have 30 000 km service intervals and come with a five-year 90 000 km service plan.