Summer Fair Returns to London
London — Following last year’s inaugural show, Summer Fair London is returning to the ExCel Centre from June 22-25 with an expanded exhibitor base. The base includes international brands never before seen in the UK, promises show manager Emap TPS, which also organizes Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, Glee/PetIndex and Pure London.
Positioned on the mid-year buying calendar, the event brings together a presentation of contemporary gift, home fashion and fashion accessories timed for Christmas buying and Spring previews. The fair includes more than 600 companies in seven distinct sectors targeting the medium to high-end of the market: home fashion and furniture, contemporary gift, outdoor living, home fragrance, bath and body, cards and kids’ gifts, fashion accessories, and ceramics and tabletop.
“Based on the rate of re-bookings and the growing number of top name international brands joining the fair, the momentum is building,” says Adam Ash, North American agent for Emap TPS and president of White Hound Advertising. “Summer Fair is emerging as a true international trend-driven event that promises to give North American visitors a first-hand look at the colors, textures and new products that will be driving the retail marketplace into Spring 09 and beyond,” he adds. In addition to a broad-based international marketplace, Summer Fair will also put a special spotlight on UK products with the addition of the “Creative Britain” product trail, which is featured at Spring and Autumn Fairs. Companies that make products in Britain will display a sign in their stands with the “Creative Britain” logo.
After-show-hours social events include retail tours, evening entertainment and trips to local attractions. Show hours are Sunday, June 22–Tuesday, June 24, 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. and Wednesday, June 25, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. To learn more, visit www.summerfair.com
Tendence Features ‘Personal Shopper 2008’
Frankfurt — Two candidates accepted an invitation to design the “Personal Shopper 2008” feature at this summer’s Tendence — Decorate Life in July, in Frankfurt am Main, from July 4–8.
Each designer was asked to design a coherent buying and living world for a specific consumer type. Nicolette Naumann, vice president, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, said “The core concept and area have been prescribed. but the designers have a free hand when it comes to customer profile, concept and implementation.“ The two different displays will face each other in the foyer of Halls 5.1./6.
Ineke Hans is currently seen as one of Europe’s most versatile and unconventional designers, Naumann said. The range of her activities covers interior and exhibition design, industrial jewelry design, furniture and china, from limited series to mass production. In her work, Hans researches the psychological roots of products and focuses on the link between man and object, creating archetypes, pictograms and familiar designs from childhood. As a result, the distinctive features of many of her products are their simplicity, well-established, modern status and toy-like look.
Jason Miller’s designs consistently surprise and confuse, according to Naumann. Much of his work deals with the unexpected, like his antler lamp cum wall ornament. Other designs, like a glass vase, which was first shattered, then repaired, focus on life’s rough edges. One of Miller’s current projects is his “daydream mirror.” Miller is known for his collaboration with Karim Rashid and Jeff Koons among others, and won a number of awards, including the Wallpaper Design Award for Best Breakthrough Designer 2007; the Forbes.com — Tastemaker 2007 award and the Bombay Sapphire — Rising Star Award 2005.
And this year, for the first time, Tendence will open in a new format. Five
events: Tendence Autumn + Winter, Collectione Preview, Spring + Summer, Young Living, Outdoor Living and The Design Annual will be taking place simultaneously at the Frankfurt fair and exhibitions centre from July 4–8 under the title theme, Decorate Life. The theme encompasses everything from furniture, home accessories and home textiles to the garden, table and gifts.
Free Conference Program at China Fair
The China Sourcing Fair Conference will offer an extensive free conference program.
The spring 2008 Conference program topics include:
• Buying from China: What new buyers need to know
• Strategic advice on setting up operations in Hong Kong/China
• Mix Feature Interiors' Spring–Summer 2009 colour forecasts
• PANTONE view colour planner Summer 2009
• The importer's guide to REACH
• Building quality relationships with your China suppliers
Additionally the fair will offer free advice on some critical topics.
The China Sourcing Fair's "Ask the Experts" service provides free, 10-minute individual consultations with experts on topics such as:
• Quality control
• Payment to suppliers
• Logistics / shipping
Fair Returns to Exhibition Centre
The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair — April 28–May1 — is returning this year with about 3,900 exhibitors at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in co-operation with The Hong Kong Exporters' Association, the fair will include more than 4,200 booths exhibiting an array of gift and premium products. Exhibits include advertising gifts and premiums, ceramic gifts, consumer electronics, corporate gifts, silverware, stationery and more.
A show feature, The Hall of Fine Designs, a fair within the fair, is geared towards the high end of the market. The zone is attractive to buyers who are seeking world-class products that are distinguishable from the general market.
As well as the Hall of Fine Designs, buyers can explore Kids' World, a toy box packed with many kinds of toys, games, gadgets, arts and crafts and stationery for children, which may be educational or fun-filled, or both. The Silverware Section will showcase silverplated figurines and miniatures, fragrance-related wares, jewelry and jewelry boxes, plus desk sets and accessories. The Ladies' Gifts and Premium Section offers a host of ideas — from the practical to the flamboyant — aimed at women.
The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair runs concurrently with Hong Kong International Auto Parts & Accessories Fair and Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, held at AsiaWorld-Expo, adjacent to Hong Kong International Airport.
