This spring has already tickled the spirits of the rich parterre of professionals who make up the Design Industry, giving them their first trade fair appointments that have sanctioned the long-awaited resumption, at the international level, of the trade fair calendar. Much more awaits us this fall, however. The Salone del Mobile in Milan last June probably gave the definitive and incontrovertible green light to an intense program that, in the coming stages, will lead between Europe, America and the Middle East.
Leading the way will be Design Helsinki (Aug. 24-25), in its first edition, organized by Media 10. Design Helsinki, which slightly anticipates Helsinki Design Week to be held Sept. 1-11, brings attention to the city that exactly 10 years ago was awarded the title of World Design Capital, and to the Nordic design that has found a home and fertile ground here: an event spread among showrooms and districts, enlivened by talks and installations, sees the support of Habitare (among the biggest events in Finland for furniture and decoration, contextual to design week) and the Alvar Aalto Foundation, to add interesting content to the event.
Then it’s the turn of the Cannes Yachting Festival, among the biggest events for boating (Sept. 6-11): the biggest international shipyards and players in motorboating, from 5 to 45 meters (at Port Vieux), meet here, alongside sailboats, monohulls and multihulls, and toys of wide variety (at Port Canto).
From the Croisette to the Ville Lumière, with Maison&Objet (Sept. 8-12): the theme “Meta Sensibile” will chart the directive of the fall edition, opening up new avenues toward creativity, in search of a balance between rooted craftsmanship and aspiration to the digital world. A reflection to which Cristina Celestino will contribute as M&O’s “Designer of the Year.”
Unmissable September event (17-25), is the London Design Festival, on its 20th anniversary. The accompanying myriad of events, talks, openings, installations, and workshops is steadily increasing, hosted by the Festival Hubs, primarily the Victoria&Albert Museum, and the 12 Design Districts in the city, to fairs such as Design London (Sept. 21-24, North Greenwich). Not to be missed, the Into Sight projects at Cromwell Place realized Sony and the installation in the heart of the city by Sabine Marcelis.
The fourth edition of the Lake Como Design Festival (Sept. 17-25) and Feria Hábitat in Valencia (Sept. 20-23), in the year a which the Spanish city is World Design Capital, anticipate the long-awaited event Design Beijing (Sept. 26-28), which returns to the international stage after a two-year absence; it is only the first in the trilogy signed by Clarion Events that aims the spotlight on the Chinese market and its design dynamism: it will be followed by Design Shanghai (Oct. 13-15) and Design Shenzhen (Dec. 1-4).
At the same time, Genoa will stage the Salone Nautico (Boat Show), a must-attend event for both the international boating market and marine enthusiasts; the event continues the “Road to 2023” project begun in 20202 that will lead to the construction of the new Boat Show and the redevelopment of Genoa’s Levante Waterfront, signed by architect Renzo Piano. The event will then hand over to the Monaco Yacht Show (Sept. 28-Oct. 1), a 360-degree experience in the exclusive universe of superyachts.
October will see the return of the biennial Interieur in Kortrijk (Oct. 20-24), with a new formula that is smarter in format but no less rich in content: it looks at the new era with an intercultural approach and renewed perspectives, analyzed through exhibitors, readings and talks. Then it will also be the turn of Orgatec in Cologne (Oct. 25-29), the place par excellence to discover and touch upon the evolutions of the office sector, which has changed profoundly in recent times.
The U.S. stop at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (Oct. 26-30) closes the first part of the tour (more to be discovered between November and December), giving a new perspective on the nautical world, under the Florida sun.
