After seven intense days, the imm cologne closed its doors on Sunday with good to very good results. 1,250 companies from more than 50 countries showcased the latest trends for the coming year and – including estimates for the last day of the fair – attracted 142,000 visitors to Cologne.
This year, there was a 13 percent rise in the internationality of the visitor structure – a significant increase. The international furnishing fair was able to report particularly positive growth in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe and Asia that are so important for the sector. “This result is a great signal for the imm cologne and confirmation of a performance befitting a leading international fair,” said a visibly satisfied Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse. “With this trade fair duo, we have written the next chapter in the success story of the imm cologne and LivingKitchen. Cologne is the absolute focal point of the furniture and kitchen industry – especially when it comes to business,” continues the trade fair corporation’s chief executive officer.
Dirk-Uwe Klaas, Chief Executive of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie), came to a similarly positive conclusion: “The imm cologne 2013 was an outstanding trade fair – the German furniture industry is more than satisfied. Despite the wintery weather, visitors flocked to the exhibition centre in droves. We are delighted to report numerous new contacts and customers as well as a pleasing amount of ordering activity. The marked increase in the number of foreign trade visitors is another important component for the fair’s enduring and sustainable success.”
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It doesn’t get any better than this: full halls, the most important players from Germany and abroad and a cornucopia of ideas across all the different segments for furniture buyers from all over the world to pick and choose from – that’s the imm cologne. Some of the more than 1,000 exhibitors are already speaking very openly about their expectations of the international furniture and interior design event in January 2013, as well as about the new products they will be showing there for the first time.
Koelnmesse is looking forward to a very successful imm cologne 2013: a total of 1,050 exhibitors from more than 50 countries have confirmed their attendance, 625 of them from abroad. Together with the international kitchen event LivingKitchen, the trade fair will be filling the 280,000 square metres of gross floor space in halls 1 to 11 to capacity.
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Ralf Jourdan, CEO Nolte Group. (photo: Nolte Group)
From 14th to 20th January 2013, more than 1,100 companies from around 50 countries will be presenting over 100,000 pieces of furniture and even more related items at the imm cologne. About one third of the exhibits will be new launches. As the leading international fair, imm cologne showcases the enormous breadth and depth of products available for the furnishing sector and, thanks to concurrent LivingKitchen, everything to do with kitchens as well.
Just how perfectly the two international trade fairs complement one another is demonstrated by the registration of the Nolte Group, which will be bringing its key subsidiaries to Cologne for the first time. Nolte Möbel in the Smart segment (Hall 7.1), as well as CS Schmal and Express Möbel (Hall 8.1), will be renewing their presence. Following LivingKitchen’s successful premiere in 2011, Nolte will also be participating with its divisions Nolte Küchen (Hall 5.2) and, for the first time, Express Küchen (Hall 4.1).
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Grohe Allure F-digital: the focal point of the digital collection are the two control elements with their universally comprehensible pictograms. (photo: Grohe)
With its digital products, Grohe is one of the pioneering forces in digital sanitaryware technology and has been continuously expanding this segment since Ondus was launched in 2008. As well as fittings for every kind of bathroom tap, the range also includes digital showers and kitchen fittings. Now Allure F-digital is set to become the new star of the technological bathroom.
When it comes to the design, the company has opted for understated simplicity and a mixture of cuboid and cylindrical shapes. Grohe sees the square base plates of the circular controllers as their style-defining feature. Sized to complement the square base plates of the bent, u-shaped spouts, they are intended to emphasise the harmonious combination of round and angular forms – a characteristic feature of Allure’s design vocabulary.
The focal point of the digital collection are the two control elements with their universally comprehensible pictograms. To start the water flowing, the user simply pushes the power button, tapping lightly on plus and minus to change the temperature. The illuminated LED ring provides visual feedback on the temperature setting. Turning the outer ring of the controller regulates the amount of water. Thanks to their textured surface, the controls are easy to operate even with wet and soapy hands.
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Grand Repos for Vitra, designed by Antonio Citterio. (photo: Vitra)
With Grand Repos for Vitra, designer Antonio Citterio aims to combine the know-how of office chair technology with the comfort of a snug lounge chair. The chair is rooted in the tradition of the classic recliner whilst nevertheless taking it to a new level of maturity. “Designing a new chair for Vitra after a masterpiece like the Eames Lounge Chair was a huge responsibility,” says Antonio Citterio of his design for Grand Repos. The Italian designer’s big, comfortable recliner marks an important step in the evolution of its typology and is intended to set new standards for users. Citterio wants his Grand Repos to indulge the desire for comfort – like an attentive host and friend.
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The Upper Franconian family-run company is currently presenting a new collection for fans of the W. Schillig brand in Ebersdorf-Frohnlach. Designed under the name “black label”, the upmarket upholstered furniture in modern-classic style is positioned considerably above the existing collection.
“Our goal was to develop upholstered furniture that will still be modern 10 years from now. The leather collection we have created for “black label” is innovative and appeals to every single one of a leather fan’s senses,” explains Erik Stammberger. The collection is being marketed worldwide but will only be available from selected premium partners.
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For all those who have to start thinking about Christmas at the beginning of autumn: so as to have the right decorations ready in time for the cold season, Création Baumann is now presenting three new Gecko in the Box sets as an X-MAS Edition with stylishly designed wintery motifs. The magnificent ice crystals, Christmas stars big and small and festive Christmas baubles are intended to conjure up cosy winter worlds on windows or mirrors. The special edition presents different-sized, classic star shapes combined with filigree snow crystals and various Christmas baubles with a sketchy, glittery surface.
The decorative elements are simply stuck onto glass surfaces, no glue required. The uv-proof textiles stay in place thanks to an adhesive coating on the back: the gravitational pull of the molecules between the two materials provides sufficient traction. As a result, the foils can be removed without leaving any residue and reused.
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The atelier chair of Walter Knoll designed by EOOS. (photo: Walter Knoll)
The legendary slogan “Form follows function” has left its mark on generations of designers. The principle is that the shape of an object should be primarily based upon its intended function. Or shorter: Reduced form, visible function. EOOS has taken the idea of functional clarity and given it its own interpretation: the sensuousness of the minimalist.
The Atelier Chair by Walter Knoll wants to be a gentle ascetic. Leather and steel are the skin and bones. Taut but also elastic the leather stretches over the steel framework – just as you would expect of genuine tubular steel furniture. The visible construction reveals the function of the chair.
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The lounge chair Jack by Girsberger. (photo: Girsberger)
For all those who find lounge chairs too chunky and voluminous, designer Burkhard Vogtherr has created a downsized alternative that uses a minimal amount of materials: a proper lounge chair, but with a slender design.
The word serendipity describes the coincidental observation of something that was not actually being sought and which turns out to be a new and surprising discovery. Or, to put it differently: when the right person is brooding over a job at the right time and something special is suddenly and unexpectedly born. That, it would seem, is precisely what happened to designer Burkhard Vogtherr when he was trying to come up with a high-backed and low-seated variant for “Jack”, a family of chairs by Girsberger.
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The imm cologne has a new stage for exceptional interior design concepts – for products that embody a vision, for design objects that set benchmarks, but also for innovative materials and experimental studies. The new format met with a good response as soon as it was presented, especially amongst leading brand-name companies who find the concept of an open platform with a gallery-like character highly appealing.
Following the launch of the new Pure Village format three years ago, the latest project from the imm team under the direction of Frank Haubold and his Creative Director Dick Spierenburg looks set to be a success as well. With Pure Editions and the restructuring of the Pure segment, the two of them are again demonstrating their sure instinct for innovative formats and impeccable timing. Within just a few weeks, Koelnmesse had received bookings for the newly designed Hall 3.2 from several of the interior design sector’s leading design companies. The exclusiveness of the format and the installation-like character of Pure Editions seem to be thoroughly in tune with the times and are proving particularly attractive to new exhibitors such as Capo D’opera, Extremis, Serralunga, Slide and Vondom.
For Vitra, it was the launch of the new format that clinched its decision to participate in the imm cologne again after three years of abstinence. “Vitra has decided to take part in the imm 2013 and will have a presence in the new Pure Editions section. The concept is all about new, creative forms of presentation and inspiration. The format, consisting of open, inviting booth structures with complementary installations, underscores these aspirations and promises an exciting, varied atmosphere that visitors will find highly attractive. Vitra supports Koelnmesse’s approach and wants to help the format establish itself convincingly,” says Rudolf Pütz, CEO of Vitra.
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After seven intense days, the imm cologne closed its doors on Sunday with good to very good results. 1,250 companies from more than 50 countries showcased the latest trends for the coming year and – including estimates for the last day of the fair – attracted 142,000 visitors to Cologne.
