Next week, from January 18th -23, 2011 the international furnishing design world will meet again in Cologne, Germany. Major labels from Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Fance, Austria and Germany will showcase the latest furnishing designs. Cologne is known as the “kick off“ event for the international furnishing season showing premium interior design as well as top innovations from young at upcoming designers.
One of the largest contingents will come from Italy with 60 companies showcasing their designs including MDF Italia, Kartell, Potocco, Bonaldo, Zeus Noto, Bensen, Softline and Matteograssi. Other major names from Italy include Riva, Minotti, Flexform, La Palma, Cassina, Cappellini, Poltrona Frau, Marac, Fiam, Cierre, Porada or Tonon. The Italian companies will show their highlights in the “Pure“ design hall with stylish dining rooms, expressive solid wood furniture and lavish upholstery.
Design trends from Italy can be viewed at the exhibit booth of Poltrona Frau, Cassina and Cappellini in the “Pure“ hall who have combined their exhibits staging their brands in a "hyper-realistic" setting of a lifelike house. Cassina will be presenting an exciting highlight with "Authentic Wood" - four brand new products for the "Cassina I Maestri" Collection by Le Corbusier. The presentation will focus on the current challenge of translating spacious, classic pieces into human dimensions for urban rooms - of creating beautiful, comfortable products in the right size out of exquisite materials and with a passion for detail, says Giulio Cappellini, architect and art director of Poltrona Frau and Cappellini. Another trend: soft and warm shades with bright splashes of color for accentuation, in cobalt blue for instance. Shapes the year will be clear but slightly rounded.
"For us, Germany is the most important gateway to the states of Eastern Europe. We believe it's crucial to have a presence at imm cologne," says Dr. Claudio Luti, CEO of Kartell. Matteo Galimberti, head of communications and marketing at Flexform, agrees: "imm cologne will give us definite advantages and encourage further growth on the German market."
Many different languages will fill the air in the “Pure Village“ in Hall 3.2. Attendees can view the laterst of design from Italy, Gandia Blasco from Spain or Fritz Hansen, Furnism or Stringfurniture from Scandinavian countries. The interdisciplinary show format will combine flooring from Parador, wallpapers from A.S. Création, textiles by e.g. Greek label Nomaad and lighting systems from the Austrian company Zumtobel.
The “Pure“ hall will also show case numerous product premieres from Ligne Roset, France which are available for worldwide distribution. "Exports account for two thirds of our business. And because the Cologne show has a very high percentage of international customers, it makes good sense to use the fair as a platform for our new products," explains company owner Pierre Roset.
Ads Lucia Legè from MDF Italia: "Because of its relevance throughout Europe, the imm cologne will be the premiere for MDF Italia's new top products. Our expectations for this event are very high, especially because it's aimed at a market that's setting itself apart from the others with a strong upswing."
For more information on attending imm cologne 2011, please contact:
Ken Dickerson, Koelnmesse Inc. Phone: 773-326-9926
imm cologne + LivingKitchen
18 to 23 January 2011
9.00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Preview Day: January 17, 2011, Public Days: 21 to 23 January 2011