The magnetic appeal of Design Shanghai

Expectations are high for this edition of Design Shanghai, the annual international and local design event held in China. The fair, which opened today and ends on Saturday 11 March, aims to surpass the record figures of last year, which attracted 46,000 visitors from 70 countries and over 350 exhibitors.

The wide and varied range of brands on show is the defining hallmark of this fair, which – focusing on the international furniture sector’s growing interest in this market and its development potential – is a highly attractive platform for leading Asian, European and international brands.

The pavilions at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre feature Moroso, Magis, Driade, Visionnaire, Porada, Art Design Group, Antoniolupi, Thonet, Seletti, Cole&Son, Bolon, Swarovski, Alessi, DuPont Corian, Minotti (which is also starring in the “fuorisalone” at its showroom in Huangpu district), Oluce, Elica, Ligne Roset, Malerba, Rossana, Dedar, Potocco and Infiniti, as well as many other ‘classic’ Made in Italy brands.

The addition of two new exhibition areas – Kitchen&Bathroom and Workplace – complete the range of sectors, alongside Contemporary Design, Classic&Luxury Design and Collectible Design, devoted to high-end products and limited edition masterpieces.

The “Global design, global craft, global manufacturing” theme, which is well-represented by the companies at the fair, is – unsurprisingly – also the theme of the Forum Programme, involving conferences and seminars that star a number of international and Chinese creative minds: Andre Fu, Ben Wu, Benjamin Hubert, Karim Rashid, Joyce Wang, Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba, to name a few.

Do not miss out on the DS In the City circuit, an initiative that brings design and creativity to the city: a collaboration with Shanghai Xintinadi, a historical, cultural and commercial point of reference in the city, led to Design Shanghai @ Xintiandi Design Festival (from 6 to 19 March), which will enliven the district for 14 days, featuring interactive installations and exhibitions. Meanwhile, the Design Tours (at the Shanghai Xintinadi fair) will allow people to visit showrooms, museums and important buildings on an ‘organised trip’ to discover design in Shanghai.