Design Shanghai reveals programme
Design Shanghai will be returning to the historic Shanghai Exhibition Centre from 8-11 March 2017. Reinforced by the success of a successful 2016 edition, Design Shanghai has in a few short years established itself as a prominent global design event.
Organised by Media10 and attracting over 46,000 visitors from 70 countries, Design Shanghai offers a platform for designers, architects, property developers, hotel groups, buyers, retailers, specifiers and key decision makers. The 2017 edition is set to attract more than 350 exhibitors, including top international and Chinese design brands each revealing new designs and launching their latest products.
A major new initiative for the 2017 edition is the opening of Design Shanghai to the wider city. Turning the event into a Shanghai-wide celebration of design and creativity, Design Shanghai will incorporate several offsite events organised in collaboration with its partners, offering both the local community and international visitors the opportunity to experience the city in a new light. With the Shanghai Exhibition Centre at its heart, Design Shanghai will offer design tours, business meetings and exclusive networking parties.
This year, Design Shanghai will also launch the Design Shanghai @ Xintiandi Design Festival, an event, taking place from 6-19 March 2017 in Xintiandi. Curated by Design Shanghai in collaboration with curators Song Tao, Hou Zhengguang and Cher Du, the festival will populate the district for 14 days, showcasing a selection of interactive installations by international and Chinese designers. As part of Design Shanghai in the city, coaches will take visitors on design tours starting at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre and ending at Shanghai Xintiandi every day from 1pm to 9pm, from 8-11 March 2017.
Mr. Andy Zhang, General Manager of Taipingqiao Project, China Xintiandi, comments: “Throughout the years Shanghai Xintiandi has given unrelenting support to design, cultural and art endeavours, creating an off-line shopping atmosphere that is highly interactive, participatory and creative for the public through countless design and art exhibitions. We hope that the three-year strategic partnership with Design Shanghai will provide diverse inspirations to citizens and design enthusiasts and contribute to promoting the development of original design in China.”
At the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Design Shanghai 2017 will be characterised by greater exhibition space and two new additions: the kitchen & bathroom design hall and the workplace design hall. These will be presented alongside the contemporary design, classic & luxury design and collectible design halls.
The kitchen and bathroom design hall will focus on innovations across materials, equipment and effective space optimisation, while the workplace design hall will give visitors the opportunity to discover the latest innovations in office design, source new suppliers and network with relevant industry professionals.
The 2017 show will also see the collectible design hall located in a separate dedicated area, a unique space that will enhance the visitor experience and showcase a high level of global artistry and design. Exhibitors include Zaha Hadid Design and Galerie Dumonteil.
Design brands including Moroso, Magis, Driade, Visionnaire, Porada, Art Design Group, CIAC, Thonet, Antonio Lupi, Seletti, HAY, Leicht, Fisher & Paykel, Kinnarps, Cole & Son, Duxiana, Bolon, Swarovski, Alessi, Dyson, DuPont Corian have all confirmed their presence, alongside leading Chinese design brands such as Tai Ping Carpets, Beyond Object, W+S, YANG House, Frank Chou Design Studio, ziinlife, WUU, ROOY, Benwu Edition, EY-Products, ALiTLE and Haostyle.
Elsewhere, the Design Shanghai AD China Design Forum will offer a comprehensive seminar programme with a selection of influential architects and designers. The theme chosen for the 2017 conference programme is ‘Global design, global craft, global manufacturing’, and sessions will explore what lies ahead for globalised design, craft and manufacturing practices.
Speakers will include Ole Bouman, Director at Design Society and Founding Director at Shekou Design Museum, alongside designers including Karim Rashid, DB Kim, André Fu, Benjamin Hubert, Luca Nichetto, Bethan and Laura Wood.
Mike Dynan, Managing Director of Media 10 China and Event Director for Design Shanghai, comments: “Following the overwhelming success of last year’s edition, we are very proud to be bringing more and more leading international design brands to China and to reveal exciting new additions for Design Shanghai 2017. Our commitment to provide a platform to connect international and local design is stronger than ever and we are determined to continue our support for the local creative sector and its ambition for innovation and quality. Moreover, as a result of the precious collaborations with our partners and supporters, we are expanding the development even further, taking over the city with a comprehensive programme of offsite events, installations and design tours.”
