Cologne is once again the centre of the international furnishing branch from 18 to 24 January. With its great affinity for design themes, the trade fair is more popular than ever before in the mother country of cool furniture designs.
imm cologne has long had the reputation of being one of the leading fairs for the furnishing branch. And this in two respects: the international branch meets in Cologne and starts the year with good business. At the same time, imm cologne has developed into a design stronghold in which there is a lot to see for architects, designers and even end customers. The traditionally design-oriented Italian furnishing companies appreciate this: imm cologne is once again attracting especially strong interest from the Mediterranean country in 2016. With Alias, B&B Italia, Baxter, Calia Italia, Cassina, Cattelan, Cierre Imbottiti, Fiam, Flexform, Gallotti & Radice, La Palma, Living Divani, MDF Italia, Minotti, Molteni, Natuzzi, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, Porada, Riva, Selva, Trussardi, Tonon and Permaflex, the most renowned top companies of the Italian furnishing branch will travel to Cologne in January.
Like no other country, Italy stands for elegance, fashion and “La Dolce Vita”. The relaxed lifestyle is also reflected in Italian design and Italian designer furniture. They combine respect for the traditions of craftsmanship with avant garde and supplement the motto of all designs of “form follows function” with an important aspect: in Italian design, form in fact does not exclusively follow function, but also emotions, fun and the joy of life. Since its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s until today, Italy stands for cool design and the Italian companies will accordingly offer a lot of inspiration and diversity for visitors to imm cologne.
Just as diverse as the theme of furnishing are the companies from Italy that imm cologne is able to welcome: a manufacturer with a long tradition, for which legends like Le Corbusier, Gerrit T. Rietveld or the Scottish art nouveau artist Charles R. Mackintosh have designed, is Cassina from Milan. Minotti stands for a harmonious interplay of tradition and technology, of architecture and furniture design. And the focus of Porada, founded by Luigi Allievi in 1968, is on a love of wood.
“In addition to the familiar faces, we are also especially looking forward to welcoming several companies that have found their way to Cologne for the first time”, says Arne Petersen, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse. “That shows us that our concept of linking design highlights with the best business possibilities meets the requirements of the companies and is encountering a great deal of interest.”
Contardi and Cangini & Tucci, for example, will present their lighting for the first time. Arthea Trade and Astor, who are represented in hall 6 with seating, and the carpet manufacturer CC-Tapis are here for the first time. Koelnmesse is especially attracting attention this year with the outdoors section, where, for example, Ethimo will present its garden furniture.
Photo: Porada
