The International Furnishing Show in Cologne: the most important design hotspots.
The International Furnishing Show in the German city of Cologne is the key furnishing show in the world’s most important furnishing market. Right at the start of every year, it presents the latest international furniture and interior trends. The huge breadth and depth of what’s on show ranges from self-assembly furniture all the way to premium brands and visionary product designs.
“The trend is that there is no trend, in other words everyone can do whatever they like, that’s the trend. Absolute individuality is the word – of course, the furniture remains very functional – whether it’s obvious or not. Of course light plays an important role, as do colours,” said Dirk-Uwe Klaas, chief executive of the Association of German Furniture Industry.
Since 2002, Koelnmesse has been presenting the internationally renowned award to innovative and outstandingly designed products from all areas of the furnishing sector. All companies from the interiors industry with products in the segments furniture, bathrooms, office/workplace, building fixtures and furnishings, walls/floors/ceilings, kitchen/household, lighting and textiles are eligible to enter the competition. A visit to the exhibition of award-winning products is an absolute must for anyone with an interest in design.
The imm cologne’s talent show D3 Design talents is a constant for trade visitors and anyone with an interest in design. The exhibition of winning entries from the international newcomer competition D3 Contest is regarded as a highlight for anybody searching for the unusual, for the not quite utterly flawless amidst the huge selection of market-driven and high-end products on show at the fair: prototypes, experimental approaches, unconventional solutions, presented by the young designers themselves.
Because all 22 nominated products are generally no more than a year old and are either prototypes or designs that are still in the preparation phase before going into production, the D3 Contest presents visitors with a treasure trove of ideas that constitute a wealth of “uncharted territory”. As a result, it isn’t just visitors with an interest in design who seize this unique opportunity to take some surprising ideas home with them. Manufacturers in search of new talent for their portfolio are equally keen to take advantage of the compact format and obtain a concise picture of the creative potential inherent in the next generation of designers.
Ordnungshalber, Christoph Goechnahts‘ reinterpretation of the Shaker* peg rail from around 1880, brought him the first prize, while Yann Mathys and Lena Schlumbohm took home secons and thirs prizes, respectively.
In 2014, the 65th imm cologne was joined by the two-yearly LivingInteriors event, which showcased integrated interior and furnishing concepts. It focused on the areas that turn a house into a home: bathrooms, flooring, wall coverings, home textiles and lighting. Together with the furniture fair, LivingInteriors painted a comprehensive and innovatively presented picture of the entire world of interiors.
Around 1,100 international exhibitors and approx. 120,000 visitors from more than 110 countries were expected to attend the imm cologne and LivingInteriors in 2014.
