Opened on 19 November, with the blessing of the highest institutional authorities, the first edition of the Salone Del Mobile.Milano in Shanghai registered a turnout right from the outset that was beyond the expectations of the companies attending the fair.
56 outstanding Italian design companies presented themselves at the Shanghai Expo Center in great style, seeking to successfully convey the values of interior projects and different product identities, just as they do at the Salone del Mobile in Milan in April.
The high quality of the brands and of Italian manufacturing drew the attention of visitors from Shangai and from the surrounding areas of the business city. A total attendance of 20,750 was recorded at the close of this evening: an important figure that rewards three years of dedication and work creating a project tailored to the needs of a country that is rapidly growing.
Signs that the event would not disappoint were already evident on the evening of the Preview for the VIP community and the press, which was attended by 2,000 spectators. This figure rose impressively with 9,000 visitors on just the first day, when – for the first time in history – the organizers of the fair had to close the ticket office to ensure that the event went ahead safely.
«We are pleased with this first event, which justified a choice that we always believed in and encourages us to look forward to the next edition with optimism – remarked Roberto Snaidero, President of the Salone del Mobile.Milano – The positive feedback that we have received from companies, the public and stakeholders confirms that our strategy of presenting the best of Italian production, represented by 56 premium brands offering a wide array of different styles, and of creating an exhibition event full of the content, images and values of the Italian lifestyle, was the right choice for positioning ourselves on the market with a clear and strong identity – the identity of a ‘know-how’ Italy, where craftsmanship, excellence, beauty and innovation coexist and are incessantly renewed».
Starting in the Central Hall, visitors are greeted by top of the range tailored creations by, first and foremost, Giorgetti, Flou, Baxter, Ceccotti Collezioni, Fendi Casa, Trussardi, Barovier&Toso, Annibale Colombo and Scavolini for kitchens, where we met managing director Fabiana Scavolini, who confirmed her satisfaction with the number of visitors recorded since the start of the event. An important starting point for assessing the market and collectively promoting Made in Italy design.
Through the two wings, East and West, architects, interior designers and professionals visiting the fair had the pleasure of undergoing a unique experience in the world of beauty, of high-quality luxury and of the stylish Italian Way of Living.
The brands, which were very well co-ordinated across the stands at the fair, presented their 2016 collections, from padded furniture by Flexform, Minotti, Living Divani, Natuzzi and Edra to total looks by Poliform, Varenna, B&B Italia, Molteni&C, Lema, Porro, Porada and Calligaris, to innovative working solutions by Fantoni. Kartell was also present, with its gallery of products signed by international designers such as Patricia Urquiola, Philippe Starck, Piero Lissoni and Antonio Citterio, and the unique productions by Riva1920.
Lighting was also prominent on the contemporary scene, which featured the best lighting brands, including Artemide, Oluce and Foscarini.
For visitors who love Luxury Interiors and glamorous style, the selection of companies invited to exhibit at the Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai fully met the demands of the market.
Visionnaire presented its Home Philosophy in four different settings from the very recent April 2016 collections, while Smania’s contemporary creations were on display with proposals for the bedroom, dining room and office.
From Sicis’ outstanding mosaic creations to the bespoke products by Andrea Bonini for Turri, more products were on show at the stands of Elledue, Rugiano, Cornelio Cappellini and Gianfranco Ferré.
High-quality manufacturing of period furniture was represented in Shanghai by the collections by Zanaboni, Angelo Cappellini, Provasi, Asnaghi Interior, OAK and Jumbo Collections.
The event was completed by the parade of projects by the new talents of the Salone Satellite, who were also summoned to attend this first edition.
It was an event with a wealth of proposals from companies interested in constantly developing their position in a dynamic market that is synonymous with growth for the entire furnishing industry.
The first conclusive figures have already been drawn up, but a real appraisal of the fair should not be just about the number of visitors, but above all about the quality of the contacts collected and the solidity of the relationships established with those who showed appreciation of Italian design. However, a positive start has been made, the foundation of a bridge that now permanently connects Milan and Shanghai.
