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.

As always, the successful furniture and interior design fair will of course more than justify its position as a showcase for new products: some exhibitors are already offering a peek at their trump cards and providing a little foretaste of what they will be showing in Cologne in mid January. From the pure design segment to the staging of unusual interiors in pure village or the lavish booths in sleep, smart, comfort or prime: many manufacturers see the imm cologne as the most important trade fair platform of all and an indispensable start to the business year 2013. In addition, the developments from the exhibiting companies underscore many important trends such as sustainability, distinctive design and functionality. Upholstered furniture, for instance, is becoming a little less colourful but all the more comfortable. Otherwise, furniture is becoming more curvaceous, and the picture is often dominated by new interpretations of established classics.

“At the imm cologne we’ll be presenting our latest ideas from B&B Italia, Maxalto and Outdoor, with lots of appealing suggestions not just for designing interiors but for the outdoor ambience as well. At the same time, however, we will also be using our 550-square-metre booth to show furniture from the Tobi-Ishi, Husk, Mini Papilio and Theo lines, as well as the Maxalto Lux collections. In short, we will be presenting furniture that successfully reflects the tastes of the major international markets,” says Mediterranean manufacturer B&B Italia. Material or colour trends are tending to play a more subordinate role: “There are certain tendencies in terms of shapes, colours or materials that we’re starting to see less of. What we’re continuing to push ahead with is a sustainable approach, not just in the sense of using recycling products and eco-friendly processes, but in a very fundamental way as well, in relation to all the new things we implement. One example: we prefer to use finishings that accentuate the material and design of our products. Plus a light and simple construction that complements the minimisation trend we’re seeing in e.g. flatscreens and hi-fi equipment.” The company is hoping for a fair with an increased share of visitors from fast-growing markets like Asia and a good response from the contract sector.

For Bretz Wohnträume, the overarching motto is “Hunters and Gatherers” – an approach that combines anything that’s fun. Flamboyance meets simplicity, seasoned with a little dash of nostalgia. For the Gensingen-based company, the quest for the unique culminates in bold, self-confident compositions in which quality continues to play a major role. Bretz aims to depict functions more subtly, focusing instead on the freedom to be able to configure furniture individually and forms that permit lounging, sprawling and of course sitting. The new models “Napali” and “Salt” will be occupying centre stage in the Bretz presentation. “In our opinion the imm cologne has returned to the strength of the 1990s,” says Norbert Bretz, executive director of Bretz Wohnträume. “The international buyers are aware of how strong German furniture is and how weak the euro is; so they come to the imm cologne and place orders accordingly. Within Germany, the real estate boom is certainly playing into our hands, there is definitely a demand for top-quality furniture.”

Création Baumann will mainly be showing blackout fabrics in new, creative designs that are applied to the textiles using a new kind of laser technology. The Swiss firm will also be presenting creative accessories and curtain design. Création Baumann sees a definite trend in fabrics: besides their aesthetic qualities, it is becoming increasingly important for textiles to deliver functional features such as blackout and sound absorption properties as well. “We believe that top-quality, elegant and durable textiles can assert themselves in the home segment too,” says Dominik Rölli, Vice President Marketing and Sales at Création Baumann. “Our expectation of the imm cologne 2013 is that the furniture fair, which is already so well-established and widely known in the German-speaking countries, will develop into an international platform for premium interior design, especially in the field of textile applications – which this year’s Pure Textile will be presenting to trade visitors at professional level.”

The Hilding Anders company, which describes itself as the leading bed manufacturer in Europe, Russia and Asia, operates in a totally different sphere. Especially when it comes to boxspring variants, the specialist sees itself at the front of its field: “More than ever before, the focus is currently on boxspring beds and the segment is growing all the time. At the same time, however, the competition in this field is also growing, especially when it comes to prices. With our three brands “Jensen”, “Eastbourne” and “Hilding” we’re extremely well placed. What we want from the imm cologne is for German retailers to perceive us as a competent industry partner for all categories of bed products,” says Martin Frutig, head of Hilding Anders’ Southwest Europe division.

In the eyes of Belgian manufacturer Jori, the vintage style with more curves and fewer straight lines is increasingly playing a role. Loud colours are no longer in such great demand and are giving way to mellower, softer shades and colour combinations. In addition, the furniture has to be cosy and comfortable with a lounge-like feel. In January, Jori is planning to present three sofa models, two armchairs and a table, as well as an innovative lounger. The latter is the result of the firm’s decades of know-how in the field of recliners and continuous research and development. The patented recliner mechanism has been combined with a new aesthetic line and the comfort Jori is famous for. In addition, the entire display will reflect the fact that the company is celebrating its 50th birthday. Combinations of old and new models will demonstrate how much comfort has improved over the years. In view of the impact the current crisis is having, Jori too is hoping for lots of visitors from overseas, as well as for new contacts in the important German market. International architects can also expect a warm welcome at the Jori booth. “Ultimately, every company is responsible for its own success – and not the trade fair platform. We believe that our attractive product ranges will convince trade visitors and consumers alike,” says Jori’s Jeannick Breine (attaché to the president).

At Koziol, colour, quality, lust for life and sustainability are the crucial keywords right now. “In our sector, the products are bought because they give people pleasure – not just via their design and excellent functionality, but because they bring a welcome splash of colour to the home as well. At the same time, however, a growing number of customers want to know where the product comes from and under what conditions it has been produced. Nowadays, sustainable entrepreneurship is an absolute necessity,” says Stephan Koziol, owner of the Erbach-based company. At the imm cologne, Koziol will be showing two new pendant lights: “Stella XL” and “Reed”. The company’s lighting collection shows light in its most attractive forms and colours – for an exceptional atmosphere. “For us, the imm cologne 2013 is the ideal platform for presenting the Koziol brand to the furniture trade in a first-class setting. We are expecting to make valuable contacts with interior designers, furniture and interior design retailers and of course home stylists and decorators,” stresses Stephan Koziol.

For upholstered furniture manufacturers Machalke Polsterwerken, inner values are definitely the top priority. “We’re aiming to underscore our market leadership in our segment with ‘Handmade in Germany’, our unique leather collection and the artisanal details of the workmanship. This is underpinned by the very special leather grades El Paso and Nappa Seta. New, filigree and feminine sofas, as well as powerful, masculine models are in the works, coupled with very special armchairs such as ‘Cult’ by Stefan Heiliger,” says Product, Communications and Marketing Manager Bernd Schellenberg. In view of the difficult economic situation right now, Machalke is aiming to focus on the company’s core values, translate them into authentic action and reinforce them so as to be a calculable and above all reliable force within the segment. “For us, the imm cologne is the most important trade fair of 2013. The furniture industry can be really proud of getting the year off to such a special start. We’re putting a lot of energy into this event, because our success at the imm cologne determines our success for the rest of the business year.”

“The crisis is setting the course, the focus is on functional design that takes advantage of all the creative possibilities available to it. Whereas eccentric and expensive models that are more like objets d’art have rarely been in keeping with the times, we are now seeing the return of good design in the broadest sense: objects that haven’t existed up until now and which satisfy people’s unmet needs and wants,” reports Umberto Cassina, Vice President of MDF Italia. The Milanese firm has very high expectations of the imm cologne. “We would like to see an increase in the kind of visitors that confirm the trade fair’s significance as an important business platform in general – not just an increase in German and European visitors. It would be good if the imm cologne could increasingly play a leading role in terms of business with fast-growing markets like the BRIC countries.” MDF Italia’s modern interpretation of a desk, a piece by the name of “Mamba”, will be taking centre stage in its Cologne presentation. The unique mix of shelf, console and desk, complete with its own light source, was the winner of the “Cristalplant Design Contest 2011 – Touchable Emotions”, a competition for up-and-coming designers.

Minotiitalia supplies highly appealing products for exclusive and individual furniture tastes, including “Formosa in piedi” from the “Razze formose” collection. The company is now complementing the unusual cabinets with LED lighting. Two more eye-catchers: the two-metre-long sideboard “Credenza” which, thanks to the homogeneous look of all four sides, can be placed anywhere in the room, and the metal column “Cleopatra”, which can also be freely positioned and provides an elegant storage solution for books. The newly launched column features both open and closed compartments that merge into a single unit thanks to the LED lighting. In Minottiitalia’s opinion, the trends of recent years have often neglected one essential aspect: the visual perfection of a product – not just at the front. That’s why the Cabiate-based company takes a different approach to the design of its products, making them identical on all sides so that they can be used anywhere in the house or commercial property. This is what Minottiitalia is aiming to demonstrate at the imm cologne; it has high hopes both of the German market and of trade visitors from other major markets.

It comes as no surprise that textile editeur Nya Nordiska Textiles has announced it will be making a “very material appearance” at the imm cologne. The trendy decoration systems from Nya Artline and the wall panels from Nya Walls will also be on show in Cologne. Nya Walls will be presenting a genuine innovation: textile glass. In the current unsettled market situation, the company believes it is important to offer customers reliability. “On top of that, we never fail to come up with new ideas as well – after all, ‘nya’ translates as ‘new’,” explains Remo Röntgen of the management team. “In times like these, everything is more emotional. And fabric is emotion.” The Dannenberg company is convinced the imm cologne 2013 will be very good for its business. “Despite the difficult situation, Koelnmesse has managed to achieve a great deal, and ‘Pure Textile’ was a hit with the industry from the word go.”

Colour is very definitely the major theme for RAL gemeinnützige GmbH: RAL is after all the global colour language. With the colour collections “RAL Classic”, “RAL Effect”, “RAL Design System” and “RAL Plastics”, RAL offers colour users in industry, the trades, architecture and design a diverse choice of precise colour references. In total, the spectrum of RAL colours includes 2,328 shades. The “RAL Digital” software provides the basis for professional on-screen colour design. And thanks to the RAL “iColours App” for “iPhone”, “iPad”, “iPodtouch” and “Android” devices, users can colour their photos quickly and easily wherever they happen to be with the full range of RAL colours. At the imm cologne, RAL gemeinnützige GmbH will be showing the book “RAL Colour Master”, the latest work on colours by Professor Axel Venn that was published in December.

With its new chair by the name of “Sinus”, Rolf Benz is focusing on exquisite aesthetic quality and technological sophistication, along with first-class comfort and scope for maximum individualisation. Based on a plastic shell – available in black or white or with a leather cover – “Sinus” can be configured to create either a homogeneous look or a stylish mix of colours and materials. There are also various options for the backrest height, seat padding and base construction, and the four leg variants permit a variety of choices as well. No matter which variant the customer decides on, Rolf Benz has the table to match. The models “Co-Sinus 1″ to “Co-Sinus 4″ put the finishing touches to the range. For the Nagold-based company, lounge-quality softness is the most important seating trend right now – as featured by the new “Grata” model, an extension to the “Colours of Rolf Benz” line.
“What I’m expecting from the imm cologne is a continuation of the positive trend seen in the last two years for visitors and exhibitors alike: a strong, efficient and internationally relevant order-writing trade fair with top-quality national and international exhibitors in the participating sectors and segments. Because if that’s how it turns out, we’ll all benefit from one another,” explains Andreas Lechner, head of marketing at Rolf Benz. “As far as Rolf Benz is concerned, the more premium providers with international appeal that are represented at the fair the better, because it shows each individual exhibitor in a more advantageous light. In particular, the national and international premium brands provide mutual support for one another, strengthen Cologne as a location and reinforce its status as a major international trade fair venue for interior-related themes. We’re looking forward to positively-minded, motivated trading partners with whom we can work together and take active steps to master the challenges of 2013 by implementing innovative products and effective marketing concepts.”

Classic meets Modern is a thoroughly appropriate heading for Thonet’s appearance at the trade fair. The Frankenberg company will be presenting its first carbon chair: “S 774″, a reinterpretation of the classic “S 664″ by Eddie Harlis. The manufacturer will also be bringing two new families of wooden chairs to Cologne: “330″, a youthful chair family developed by Berlin duo Läufer + Keichel, and “190″, a family of exclusive upholstered chairs by Lievore Altherr Molina. The new products that will be on show also include the “S 1520″ coat rack, reflecting the long tradition of coat racks in Thonet’s history. For Thonet, it is economy that embodies the zeitgeist right now – and the durable furniture from Thonet retains its value for a very long time. “It’s a way of gaining a certain kind of security in difficult times,” says Peter Thonet, CEO of Thonet GmbH. “The imm cologne 2012 was a big success for us, and despite the difficult market situation we’re expecting to get off to a successful start again in 2013. We’re particularly looking forward to the new pure editions format. From our perspective, it’s the highlight of the entire fair.”

Vondom is bringing two new products to the imm cologne. The specialist for exclusive outdoor furniture and accessories is extending its popular “FAZ” family again, this time in the form of a daybed complete with sunshade. With the new product, designer Ramon Esteve has combined his ideas on the ideal bed for sleeping, relaxing and sunbathing with the possibility of seeking shelter from the harmful rays whenever you feel like it. Like all the other members of the family, “Daybed FAZ” features mineral-inspired forms and is evocative of a quartz crystal. Vondom used “Batyline” for this product, a tried-and tested technology for umbrellas and sunshades. Nor does the user have to go without music: “Daybed FAZ” features an integrated sound system as well. The brand-new “Blow” collection is certain to cause a sensation: the offshoot of the “Pillow” family provides enhanced comfort in the form of e.g. armrests.

Solid wood specialist Zeitraum is travelling to Cologne with a new colour palette for a large part of its range. Particularly interesting: the “Pelle” chair by Milan-based designer duo Lorenz*Kaz, a wooden-framed design with a core leather seat shell, and the “E8″ table by London designer Mathias Hahn. The company, which is based in Wolfratshausen, sees light woods, coloured wood and Scandinavian-looking roundwood designs as the latest trends.

The next dual exhibition imm cologne // LivingKitchen will take place from:
14 – 20 January 2013

The top 120 addresses + trends & new launches + a selection of the most beautiful styles

What do you need to create a proper feel-good oasis in your own four walls? Are laminate flooring, woodchip wallpaper and white half-curtains really the answer? Or are soft furnishings with different fabrics the solution, as seen in countries like England or France? This is the question Barbara Friedrich, editor-in-chief of  Architektur & Wohnen magazine, asks herself in her new special on textile furnishings. “Could it be,” she speculates, “that our idea of modern living has always favoured practical aspects over decorative considerations – and that we are unconsciously continuing this ‘tradition’?” And yet just three or four decades ago, thick carpets, roomy sectional sofas with fabric covers and heavy curtains were still the epitome of German Gemütlichkeit.

Not until the 1980s did furnishing styles adopt a certain coolness, expressed in the form of laminate floors, black leather couches and curtainless windows. Barbara Friedrich is providing support for the return of cosiness in the form of a supplement to the current issue of A&W. Besides listing the top 120 addresses for soft furnishings in Germany, it also demonstrates that the new style of German Gemütlichkeit need not have anything in common with the 1950s or 60s. The providers were selected in collaboration with experts from the textile sector and are presented according to their postcode area. Besides the addresses, the supplement also includes a brief portrait of the retailers, along with information about the services they offer and what brands they stock.

Obviously choosing the right textiles for your home calls for a certain amount of confidence and courage in order to ensure the combination of carpets, sofa, curtains or wall coverings adds up to a harmonious whole. But that’s precisely why furnishing retailers employ interior decorators who provide customers with assistance and advice and help them choose furnishings that suit their style. The special, which was published together with the October/November issue of A&W on 11^th September 2012, also contains a little foretaste of the incredible impact soft furnishings can have on a home. More ideas for decorating with textiles and a wealth of information on current textile trends can be found at the imm cologne’s special Pure Textile exhibition in Cologne from 14^th to 22^nd January 2013.

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.

But the imm cologne’s long-standing customers can also identify with the new concept. E15, Interstuhl, Flötotto and Thonet are prominent Pure delegates who want to make the most of the new format’s potential, which lies not only in its systematically planned yet freely interpretable trade fair architecture but also in the fact that it will provide visitors with multifaceted inspiration in the form of platforms for design installations.

Pure Textile, which will be located in the same hall, depicts the wide variety of high-end decorative fabrics that are becoming increasingly important for the interior design context that exclusive furniture is embedded in. From 2013, top brands Christian Fischbacher, Création Baumann, JAB Anstoetz, Kinnasand, Nya Nordiska, Sahco, Chivasso, Wellmann and Zimmer + Rohde will be occupying approximately one quarter of Hall 3.2 with booths grouped around a space-defining central axis.

“We’re delighted that, with Pure Editions, we are able to establish a new format that is proving convincing for long-standing exhibitors of Pure’s Hall 11 as well,” says Frank Haubold of the development. “Their move to Hall 3.2 means we have been able to free up urgently needed space in Hall 11 for the many interested companies whose requests we haven’t been able to meet in the past. This shift comes at just the right time, because there has again been increased interest in a presence in the Pure segment at the 2013 event, especially from brand-name manufacturers from Italy. Our structural and spatial expansion of Pure thus seems likely to provide a genuine benefit for all the Pure segment’s exhibitors,” anticipates Frank Haubold.

“Pure is a format for design quality,” says Dick Spierenburg in explanation of the imm cologne’s plans. “We don’t just want to expand it in terms of space, we want to enhance it in terms of quality as well. With something like this, you can’t just keep building higher and higher without widening the foundations – by means of diversification, expansion and innovation. And that’s precisely what we’re doing with formats like Pure Village, Pure Editions and Pure Textile, by offering exhibitors settings that meet their specific needs or inspire them to come up with new presentation concepts.”

Pure Editions thus also provides leading brands with a new platform for self-development. An offer that creative brands are more than happy to take advantage of. “We were immediately enthusiastic about the Pure Editions concept,” says Peter Thonet, CEO of Thonet GmbH. “It seemed to have been tailor-made for us because, for a brand like Thonet, this form of presentation provides better opportunities for creating a differentiated presentation and generating a strong image. We’re hoping that Pure Editions will result in each and every exhibitor’s brand identity being perceived in more concentrated form. We’re very curious about how the result will turn out and, even at this early stage, are very much looking forward to the imm cologne.”

As Vice President, Frank Haubold likewise believes the success of the new formats is due to the changes taking place in the interior design market: “The world is becoming increasingly individualistic. At the end of the day, this segment is thus just a reflection of developments in the market and in society. We are creating more individuality within an artificial framework that concentrates diverse formats, product ranges and target groups within a restricted space. Ultimately, that’s what a trade fair is.”

Besides attractive presentations of ground-breaking design objects and new editions of classics that were visionary in their day, visitors to Pure Editions can also look forward to flamboyant interior design concepts and trend installations that will provide designers and interior decorators with a source of ideas for their day-to-day work. The open architecture and spacious atmosphere will also help ensure this hall has a character all its own.

The next dual trade fair
imm cologne // LivingKitchen will take place from:
14th – 20th January 2013

The imm cologne, the major worldwide event for the interior design sector, will open its gates in fewer than 200 days. Following the two successful events in 2011 and 2012, the 2013 trade fair is also right on track. With roughly 10 percent more exhibitors and 12 percent more exhibition space occupied, augmented by an increase in foreign participation and new product segments, there’s nothing standing in the way of a successful event.

“2013 is a very important year for us. With a strong German economy to bolster us while foreign markets are faltering, the imm cologne will assume a very special function as the central global business platform. The significant interest from strong Italian brands is a good example of this. For the first time in years we’ll be occupying the entire exhibition centre again, enabling our visitors to experience everything the international interior design sector has to offer in one location. In view of the huge interest from professional circles and the media, plus the fact that the number of exhibitors who have registered to take part exceeds all our expectations, we can already say that, more than ever before, Cologne is very much a talking point in the international interior design sector,” says Frank Haubold, Vice President Trade Fair Management.

A “tour” through the exhibition halls serves to underscore this. Even at this early stage, almost all the segments are sold out, whether it be Comfort, Prime, Sleep, Smart or Pure. There are already waiting lists for most of the halls. The character of the event will be shaped not only by the many returning exhibitors but by the numerous firms that will be participating for the first time as well. A total of more than 1,100 companies from over 50 countries will be presenting the trends for the coming year.
The rise in the number of bookings from Italy, Austria, Spain, Turkey and Brazil is particularly pleasing. To date, 17% more foreign businesses have registered, a clear sign of the imm cologne’s increased international significance.

This excellent starting position is the result of the imm cologne’s consistent development from a furniture-only trade fair to a conceptually sophisticated interior design show. This development was founded on the successful establishment of the sleep segment, the realignment of the Prime segment in Hall 10.1 and the expansion of the design focal point Pure with Pure Village, Pure Textile and the new Pure Editions format. In addition, spectacular projects such as “Das Haus” have not only had a lasting impact on the image of the imm cologne, they have helped attain a new and significantly stronger market position as well. The return of the kitchen sector with LivingKitchen and the installation of the new trade fair format LivingInterior as a presentation platform for architecturally-related topics such as floors, walls, ceiling and bathrooms were other important milestones.

With the imm cologne and LivingKitchen next year, Cologne won’t just be the design capital of Europe, it will be the gourmet capital as well. There is every indication that LivingKitchen will be a first-class international kitchen trade fair. With 130 confirmed bookings so far, more than 75% of the planned exhibition space is already occupied. LivingKitchen is a successful symbiosis of exhibition and event that appeals to trade visitors and consumers alike.

The next trade fair duo
imm cologne // LivingKitchen will be held from
14th to 20th January 2013

Pure Editions now offers exhibitors a third dimension for presenting themselves. Here too, the architecture is consistently designed but in this case also totally open, providing a stage for a strong statement by visionary brands. (photo: Koelnmesse GmbH)

At the international interior design show in Cologne, exclusive design brands have always been keen on coming together to form inspiring clusters. As a result, during the last imm cologne, some exhibitors had to move their style icons a little closer together in the legendary design stronghold of the No. 11 halls. The Cologne fair therefore wants to set aside even more space for this segment in future – with a new level in Hall 3, a new format and new exhibition concepts. Because for both the trade fair organisers and their exhibitors, it isn’t just the quantity of space that counts, but the quality of that space as well.

The design brands’ presentations also attract a great deal of attention from visitors. This is where they can find concentrated clusters of innovations, unusual product displays and lifestyle. It was precisely because of this group of exhibitors’ uncompromising design orientation that the organisers decided to name the segment “Pure”. Since the show moved into the new exhibition halls, anybody who wants to get an idea of the latest original interior design ideas and avant-garde designs from the wide spectrum on offer at the imm cologne has been able to find what he is looking for under this name in the three halls 11.1, 11.2 and 11.3.

Three years ago, the Pure halls branched out into the neighbouring hall (3.2) with Pure Village, where design providers big and small – some of them young firms, others established companies – take up residence in a predefined exhibition architecture and present their extremely diverse mix of interior design collections alongside one another. Pure Village has proved to be an ideal counterpart to the big brand presentations in the No. 11 halls. The success of this innovative format is an endorsement both of the Pure concept and the appeal a planned exhibition architecture evidently holds for this segment.

In future, the imm cologne wants to accentuate and publicise this traditionally strong key theme of “design” even more. The great demand for premium exhibition space calls for targeted expansion of the Pure offering. The imm cologne 2013 will therefore see the addition of a third Pure element: Pure Editions, a platform for creative brands with visionary products and product concepts.

The no. 11 halls – the historic heart of Pure and its biggest section in terms of area – are the home of major design brands who want to present their product lines and innovations in the context of a strongly branded booth. Pure Village, on the other hand, with an exhibition architecture that is divided up into small sections and thus resembles urban structures, is ideal for staging accentuated product displays and unusual interiors. Here the focus is on the product itself.

Pure Editions now offers exhibitors a third dimension for presenting themselves. Here too, the architecture is consistently designed but in this case also totally open, providing a stage for a strong statement by visionary brands. Pure Editions brings them together on the basis of their innovative character whilst simultaneously highlighting their uniqueness. Therefore, only one guideline has been specified for the design of these brands’ presentations: openness. At visual level the booths, which will occupy spaces of between 50 and approx. 150 m² and be individually designed by the exhibitors, will be kept open and accessible. Otherwise, there are no other restrictions on the creativity of the design avant-gardists invited by the imm cologne. Exhibition designer and Creative Director of the imm cologne Dick Spierenburg, the man behind the concept and face of Pure Village, is confident that Pure Editions will yield some highly emotional scenographies: “Pure Editions caters to the urge to create something out of the ordinary that has always been a mark of leading design-oriented companies. This space won’t just be inspiring, it will be a showcase for visions.”

The concept behind the new format allows for the presentation of visionary collections with creative products, innovative materials and new applications. Statements on trend-setting interior design themes are also to be shown here. But according to Dick Spierenburg, the focus need not be exclusively on new products: “There is no reason why products that broke new ground a long time ago and are now valued as classics shouldn’t be compatible with the Pure Editions concept as well. First and foremost, it’s not so much ‘new’ products we’re interested in as ‘novel’ products. All brands that explore these themes and are used to staging top-class presentations are welcome to join us in the Pure Editions hall.”

In addition, Pure Editions will also provide a permanent home for the fabric producers who present their products in Cologne every two years and, with their combined presence under the Pure Textile brand, have become an integral part of the imm cologne. They depict the wide variety of high-end decorative fabrics that are becoming increasingly important for the interior design context that exclusive furniture is embedded in. From 2013, top brands Christian Fischbacher, Création Baumann, JAB Anstoetz, Kinnasand, Nya Nordiska, Sahco, Chivasso, Wellmann and Zimmer + Rohde will be occupying approximately one quarter of Hall 3.2 with booths grouped around a space-defining central axis.

Pure Editions combines the exclusive character of this hall with the experimental: on ten platforms located in open spaces between the booths, various designers – some of them young, some already well-known – will be collaborating with the companies involved to create a series of compact and creative exhibitions and installations. Like the participating brands, the themes for these stages will be selected by a small team headed by Dick Spierenburg. The same high standards of quality that apply to “Pure” will be binding for Pure Editions as well.

This prerequisite has already proven its worth in the case of Pure Village, which will be moving to Hall 3.1 as part of the expanded concept. The architecture, layout and hall structure will remain just as unaffected as the concentration of top-notch design events hosted here: as well as the lecture forum “The Stage”, Pure Village will also be home to the “Das Haus – Interiors on Stage” project again next year. In addition, the newcomer forum [D³] Design talents will be taking place in the Pure Village context too, with a presentation of the winners of the [D³] Contest and a series of exhibitors from [D³] Professionals. With the new design of the arcade between halls 11 and 3, a visit to the Pure world at the imm cologne will once and for all become a consistent and exciting design experience. On the mezzanine between the No. 11 halls and Pure Village, visitors will in future be able to acquaint themselves with the highlights of the International Interior Award “en passant” and take a break at one of the stylishly designed eateries. The Pure segment, comprising Hall 11, Pure Village and Pure Editions, is thus increasingly consolidating into a holistic design event within the imm cologne.

The next trade fair duo
imm cologne // LivingKitchen will be held from
14th to 20th January 2013

With its own show at the imm cologne, Pure Textile once again promises to provide a compelling, decorative highlight at the international furnishing fair. (photo: Création Baumann)

Pure Textile, the platform for top brands of innovative fabrics and textiles for interior design, is a special format for a special range of products. With its own show at the imm cologne, Pure Textile once again promises to provide a compelling, decorative highlight at the international furnishing fair.

After its extremely successful premiere in 2011, the biennial event is scheduled to become an integral part of the imm cologne and will in future find a permanent home in Hall 3.2. These products play an important complementary role for the furniture industry; with the new Pure Editions format and their close proximity to the Pure show in Hall 11, they will form part of precisely the kind of exclusive neighbourhood that the fabric brands are looking for.

“Today textiles are part of any integral interior design and fit in perfectly with the kind of upscale, design-oriented environment provided by the Cologne trade fair and the new direction it has taken,” says Christoph Häußler, Managing Director of Sahco, of his company’s decision to attend the Cologne event. After the good performance of 2011 Christian Hofmann, Sales Director of Kinnasand, has high hopes of the show’s new home as well: “Pure Textile 2011 was a new format at the imm cologne and far exceeded the expectations of both the textile brands and the trade fair itself. We’re expecting the response to the new location in Hall 3.2 to be at least equally good.”

Besides Sahco and Kinnasand, Christian Fischbacher, Création Baumann, JAB Anstoetz, Nya Nordiska, Chivasso, Wellmann and Zimmer + Rohde will also be coming together under the Pure Textile umbrella in Cologne. They depict the wide variety of high-end decorative fabrics that are becoming increasingly important for the interior design context that exclusive furniture is embedded in. In the sophisticated, consistent exhibition architecture of Pure Textile, they will be exhibiting their product ranges and new releases at individually designed booths and in an atmosphere charged with emotional appeal. The booths will be arranged around an open space at the centre to encourage communicative encounters and events.

For the textile brands, part of the imm cologne’s appeal lies in the fact that it brings many different target groups together. “As a provider, taking part in the exhibition is relevant for us because, besides furniture retailers, the visitors to our booths include interior designers and architects as well,” says Philippe Baumann, CEO of Création Baumann. At the same time, however, he also finds the concept behind Pure Textile convincing: “For trade visitors it’s interesting to see such a wide variety of products from the industry’s leading providers at one and the same show. This integral approach makes the imm cologne even more attractive to visitors and exhibitors alike.” Andreas Zimmer, Managing Director of Zimmer & Rohde, believes “it is becoming increasingly important to show entire lifestyle concepts, where furniture, fabrics, carpets etc. belong together.”

In this respect, Pure Textile is more than “just” another product category to complete the trade fair’s portfolio. Whilst LivingKitchen, which is also held at the imm cologne every two years parallel to the furniture show, creates a turbulent world with an event character all its own and the Pure Village format draws its strength from both its mix of categories and its starkly contrasting highlights, the textiles enter into a much closer relationship with the imm cologne’s core category. In this case, an integral approach does not so much mean focusing on breadth of range as on the complete design of an entire space. “In the context of integral interior design, textile furnishings in the form of beautiful fabrics and carpets are an important component,” says Claus Anstoetz. “They factor in aspects like energy, acoustics, privacy screening, solar shading and all-round wellbeing. Pure Textile is therefore one of the highlights at the imm cologne interior design fair,” explains the Managing Partner of the JAB Anstoetz Group self-confidently.

His colleague Chris Jacob Schminnes, likewise a Managing Partner of the JAB Anstoetz Group and responsible for its Soleil Bleu brand, is keen to emphasise the up-to-the-minute character associated with the trade fair: “This platform presents the latest colour, material and design trends in an emotional and sophisticated way. Visitors can look forward to another display of textile fireworks in 2013.” The new releases for the trade fair are of course still in production and won’t be revealing their designs until the imm cologne in January 2013.

Christian Hofmann from Kinnasand also only hints at the general direction that home textiles like upholstery and decorative fabrics or carpets are moving in: “Tomorrow’s trends will be functional textiles such as fabrics that absorb noise, neutralise odours or regulate the indoor climate – fabrics that help people feel comfortable in their surroundings.” Anybody who wants to know more and immerse himself in the fabric of textile aesthetics will have to come and see the functional and attractive materials for himself at Pure Textile.

The next trade fair duo
imm cologne // LivingKitchen will be held from
14 – 20 January 2013

Gan Rugs. (Foto: Gandia Blasco)

Josè A. Gandia-Blasco, owner and art director of the company that bears his name, is convinced that the visit to Cologne was well worthwhile – not only for the exhibitors from Spain but for the public as well: “Once again, my impression of the imm cologne was very positive and I was very surprised both by the new trends shown and the new products. The fair presented a good mix: there was something interesting and well worth seeing for all kinds of tastes.” In Cologne, Gandia Blasco, Viccarbe and Vondom were demonstrating various forms of Mediterranean flair with new-found self-confidence: a mix of café, patio and living-room.

The Spaniard per se seeks out closed, cool rooms to escape from the midday heat. Yet contemporary design is currently winning Europeans over to snug solutions for the space between indoors and outside: furniture and accessories that turn patios, courtyards and cafés into lifestyle-savvy living space. At the same time, designers like Mario Ruiz, Javier Mariscal or JM Ferrero are using both purist and organic aesthetic vocabularies to create furnishing elements for modern and fresh interiors. Companies like Gandia Blasco, Santa&Cole, Resinas Olot or Vondom have succeeded in making a name for themselves in this segment. Vondom, for instance, one of the leading Spanish design brands, has specialised in outdoor furnishing and lighting items made of synthetic resin; at the international interior design fair imm cologne, it was again presenting several new outdoor collections, including Tri-Turn by Harry & Camila and new products from the FAZ family by Ramón Esteve.

Whilst in recent years Spanish design has mainly been causing a sensation with interior design for the contract segment, for instance with the creations of designer Francesc Rifé, the new Spanish design brands have now established themselves in private living rooms as well. Spanish design, which is traditionally regarded as part of architecture and taught as such, seems to be emancipating itself from architecture, evolving via the public and outdoor segments towards the private living environment.

One of the most prestigious firms, Gandia Blasco, has pursued this course by progressing from textile design to outdoor furniture and back to upscale interior culture: with its Gan brand, which was founded in 2008 and sells designer carpets by Ododesign or Francesc Rifé all the way to Sandra Figuerola and Patricia Urquiola, Gandia Blasco is now active in both the interior design and outdoor segments. And so this time, Gandia Blasco’s presentation at the imm cologne 2011 focused not on its garden and patio furniture but on the new carpet collections. The sophisticated design of Pure Village was the ideal format for demonstrating that the Spanish label offers not just beautiful furniture for outdoor living but convincing concepts and an attractive product range for modern, comfortable interiors as well. “I’m convinced it was the perfect location for our exhibit,” says José A. Gandia-Blasco of the company’s presence in Pure Village. “We felt very much at home amongst the young designers and their creative ideas. Thanks to the modular concept of its architecture and decorative living room ambience, Pure Village ensures the products are perceived in a totally new way. Hall 3.2 was a major attraction at the imm 2011!”

But Gandia Blasco wasn’t the only premium player from Spain to have its own booth at the imm cologne despite the problems at home.

As in the case of Valencia-based Gandia Blasco, being under the management of a designer has proved a successful strategy for Viccarbe Habitat too: by collaborating with international designers and showing a sure instinct for interior trends, Victor Carrasco has turned the label into one of the most sought-after producers of designer furniture. And just like Gandia Blasco, Viccarbe also opted to show its presentation in the intimate ambience and interdisciplinary environment of Pure Village.

Spanish design’s success abroad is emerging parallel to a new attitude to design in Spain itself. Whereas up until now Spain’s interior culture with its heavy forms and rich, earthy colours tended to take its cues from the Moorish heritage of its history and nearby Africa, it has meanwhile arrived in Europe with lucid colour concepts, unusual materials and space-structuring interior visions. At the same time, newcomers in particular aren’t averse to borrowing from past styles. The common denominator is the great variety of forms, colours, materials and stylistic concepts that is traditional in Spain. As a result, seeming opposites such as minimalist installations, functionally biased objects and products with a mainly aesthetic slant are going far beyond peaceful coexistence and condensing into a symbiosis that we can certainly expect great things from in future.

Patricia Urquiola, probably the most famous designer of Spanish origin on the scene right now, believes the growth of major interior design fairs like the imm cologne is partly due to a changing design culture. “The design market, in fact the entire design system, has grown enormously. Just 10 years ago, Germany was still the market for many of the Italian companies I’ve worked for. Nothing’s changed in that respect, but it’s no longer just Italy, Germany and the Scandinavian countries where contemporary design enjoys high status – a lot has happened in England and Spain in recent years, for instance. And even in France, where people really didn’t used to go in for modern everyday objects in a big way, there’s a very dynamic development, likewise in Brazil and America. It’s a question of attitude: in Germany it’s normal to choose something contemporary if you want to buy a new cup for your morning coffee. Things were very different in Spain for a long time – people went for the classic model by tradition, almost automatically. These days the choice is wide open, people are starting to develop a genuine interest in design. I think design is a discipline that’s growing,” concludes a positively-minded Patricia Urquiola.

The next imm cologne will take place from:
16th – 22nd January 2012

The unique combination of furnishing and kitchen worlds convinced both trade visitors and the general public. The excellent reception the event met with from visitors during the entire week of the fair ensured beaming faces on the manufacturers’ side. 138,000 professional buyers and consumers from 128 countries flocked to the exhibition halls of the imm cologne // LivingKitchen – 38 percent more than attended the previous event (imm cologne 2010). There were significant increases amongst trade visitors, not only from within Germany but above all from abroad, most notably from the Netherlands, France, Italy and Switzerland, as well as Eastern Europe in general and Russia in particular. In addition, more buyers were registered from important export markets like Asia, the Near East and North America. All in all, the trade fair drew increased numbers of visitors from almost all countries. “This result is convincing proof that the diverse activities and high level of commitment we put into attracting national and international visitors were successful and have definitely paid off,” says Gerald Böse.

An excellent trade fair for everybody involved
“The fair is meeting with an excellent reception from visitors, the aisles are full, the mood is good, business is booming. Cologne has become a beacon,” was the conclusion in the media. Exhibitors took a similar view.

* “Excellent attendance, happy customers, a fantastic mood,” said Leo Lübke, CEO of COR Sitzmöbel and interlübke.

* “It was a great fair. The hall was full, the frequency was just like in the old days, all our customers were there and we were able to gain new customers as well, especially from the Netherlands and Belgium. And opening the fair to the public on the Friday – a day earlier than in the past – was the right decision too. And last but not least, we think it’s very good to have an international kitchen fair in Cologne again. To cut a long story short: we couldn’t be happier and are already looking forward to next year.” Gero Walter Frommholz, Managing Partner at Walter Frommholz GmbH & Co. KG.

* The mood was excellent in the new pure textile segment too: “We’re very satisfied with the way the fair has gone. In our opinion, the addition of selected international textile brands to the imm cologne in Hall 11 was a great success and met with a very positive reception from visitors. Customers took plenty of time to look around the pure textile section in Hall 11. For us, the trade fair was very definitely worthwhile,” says Klaus Scharf, Sales Manager at SAHCO Hesslein GmbH & Co. KG.

* “As far as we are concerned, the imm cologne is the most important trade show and we are very satisfied with the way the fair went this year. We launched our new products very successfully and were delighted to welcome a great many of our trading partners here in Cologne, not only from Germany and Europe but from America and Asia as well. We’re particularly delighted that the entire trade fair has made huge progress in terms of presentation. What’s on offer in the halls is very upscale, interesting concepts like pure village or pure textile have been presented very successfully and there were crowds of visitors. That was very inspiring for everybody and the manufacturers were exuding a lot more optimism again.” Patrice Bert, CEO of Roset Möbel GmbH.

* “We are very satisfied. You can sense that the mood has improved again. 2010 was already a good year for the sector in Germany and the trade fair has shown that dealers and customers are reacting very positively to the improved situation. Visitor frequency at our stand was really good, especially from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. And the presentation of our new products was definitely a help, of course. In that respect, we consider the results very positive.” Andrea Giachetti, Regional Manager, MDF ITALIA S.p.A.

The extremely good mood at the imm cologne was reflected in the halls of the LivingKitchen fair as well.

* “What we’ve experienced in Cologne in the last few days speaks volumes. I’m particularly delighted that the kitchen has returned to Cologne with such a spectacular sensation,” sums up Hans Strothoff, Chairman of the MHK Group.

* “We are extraordinarily pleased with the way the fair has gone and the result. The response from dealers and visitors from Germany and abroad was very positive. And the number of visitors far exceeded our expectations,” says Roland Hagenbucher, CEO of Siemens-Electrogeräte GmbH.

The trends
* When it comes to covering fabrics, plain colours dominate. Colourful stripes or abstract graphics are popular choices for accentuation. White remains the megacolour. In the leather segment, thick, barely treated natural leathers with a tactile, inviting character are particularly popular.

* LED lighting technology has made its breakthrough. The majority of wardrobes, wall units, sideboards and display cabinets are being equipped with this energy-saving lighting technology. LED fulfils two functions: brightness and atmosphere.

* Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in furniture construction too. Wood is becoming more and more popular, not only for storage and kitchen furniture but for comfortable chairs and loungers and as a visible component of sofas. Wood is reclaiming its former status in the furniture sector. One striking development: the many items featuring untreated oak, sometimes even complete with bark.

imm cologne // LivingKitchen in figures:
1,213 companies from 48 countries participated in the imm cologne // LivingKitchen 2011. They included 521 exhibitors and 32 additionally represented companies from Germany as well as 614 exhibitors and 46 additionally represented companies from abroad. Foreign companies accounted for 54 percent of exhibitors.*

* All figures are calculated according to the guidelines of the Society for the Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics (Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen, FKM).

Further information:
www.imm-cologne.com
www.purevillage.net
www.livingkitchen-cologne.com

The next imm cologne will take place from 16th to 22nd January 2012 in Cologne.

“Cologne is a talking point in the international interior design sector again,” says CEO of Koelnmesse Gerald Böse. “In view of the huge interest from professional circles and the media, plus the fact that the number of exhibitors who have registered to take part exceeds all our expectations, we can already say that the dual event imm cologne and LivingKitchen, which presents the entire spectrum of interior design in one location, is going to be a total success.”

Besides kitchens, the event is focusing on other exciting themes as well: the Pure Village concept that was launched in 2010 has been expanded and the new Pure Textile exhibition format gives prestigious fabric brands an excellent opportunity to present their exquisite collections in the right light. These developments are just one of the reasons why the organisers are expecting the dual event to attract some 120,000 national and international visitors.
LivingKitchen – the new highlight in January

Today the kitchen is the focal point of home life. That’s why, as a new living environment that is being created by merging the classic living and kitchen areas, the kitchen isn’t just the biggest talking point in the interior design sector right now, it is the biggest theme at this year’s fair as well. The name LivingKitchen says it all: the event aims to showcase the kitchen with all its lively and vivid facets. Accordingly, the assortment on show covers an incredibly wide spectrum. As well as kitchen furniture, the international manufacturers will also be showing kitchen appliances, sinks, tap fittings, sophisticated worktops, lighting solutions and accessories.

With three exhibition halls and occupied space of more than 40,000 m², LivingKitchen will be the biggest and most comprehensive kitchen show ever to be held in Germany. Almost 200 exhibitors will be flying the flag at the show’s premiere in Cologne. Under the motto “A passion for kitchens”, LivingKitchen is positioning itself not just as a forum for the presentation of new products but as an entertaining lifestyle event as well. The extraordinary supporting programme will be taking place on the big stage in the Atrium and at the Cooktainment event island in Hall 4.1, allowing visitors to experience top-class infotainment and entertainment on all six days of the fair. But they won’t only be able to experience the theme of kitchens at the exhibition centre itself: the LivingKitchen Week will bring the event into the city as well. The week will begin and end with an event that has attained legendary status in Cologne: Sunday brunch at the “Rheinterrassen” – this year very much under the banner of LivingKitchen. Under the motto “Things are cooking in Cologne”, Koelnmesse and its Cologne partners have published a restaurant guide featuring 51 eateries dedicated to unforgettable gourmet experiences and delighting visitors’ taste buds. All the restaurants have come up with a special LivingKitchen promotion for the duration of the fair.

Fully booked halls and a boulevard full of innovations
On the central boulevard, a presentation of the best new products and most convincing innovations from the interior design and kitchen collections will give visitors a quick and concentrated overview of the highlights. In 2011, the entire exhibition centre will be fully occupied – an important milestone on the way to becoming the most modern interior design fair in the world.

The biggest delegations of exhibitors will be coming from Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland. There will be a host of new and returning exhibitors from Germany and abroad. Examples of the industry’s unity and strong commitment include the first-time presence of the Möbelmeile consortium with a joint stand and the A-30 marketing association’s presentation at LivingKitchen.

From high-end design all the way to young lifestyles: the imm cologne’s exhibition portfolio at a glance
Hall 11 with its top international brands has always been a magnet for lovers of high-end design who want to know how the premium manufacturers and star designers picture the interiors of the future. The exclusive collections present a multifaceted spectrum of luxurious ambiences, innovative designs and pioneering interior concepts. As sustainability continues to be a key theme, smart greenline interiors are in great demand. Furniture featuring a vintage style and warm colours and materials is also popular, as are designs that echo modern architecture with clear lines and sophisticated nested structures – a development that is particularly evident in the latest shelving and wall unit systems. The greatest possible customisability and maximum adaptation to customers’ needs and wants are also playing an increasingly important role.

In order to round off the exclusive interior design in proper style, specialised ranges like lighting and carpets complete the spectrum. And because furniture and decorative fabrics are increasingly being selected together, the makers of exquisite textiles for interior design purposes will be given their own presentation platform this year: the Pure Textile segment in Hall 11.1.

In Hall 3.2, the new Pure Village exhibition format that was successfully launched in 2010 will again be providing the exclusive setting for unconventional brand and product scenographies. Premium providers from all the segments relevant to interior design – including furniture, lighting, home textiles, bathrooms, fireplaces, carpets, flooring and home accessories – will be presenting a fascinating mix of product ranges with one thing in common: their top-quality design. The German Wallpaper Institute will be exhibiting at the fair for the first time with ten of its member companies. The unique exhibition architecture with its intimate atmosphere but nevertheless open structures uses attractive juxtapositions and emotional scenographies to showcase design items and interior concepts to maximum effect – and is guaranteed to provide inspiration en masse.

Young creative talents will be presenting their exciting, sometimes visionary, sometimes provocative designs in the D³ Design Talents forum in Hall 3.2 and the Congress Hall. But besides being a fascinating trend barometer, D³ Design Talents is also a career springboard that has resulted in many a young designer being discovered by a prestigious manufacturer.

The Prime segment in Halls 2.1, 5.1 and 10.1 is dedicated to premium living room and bedroom furniture and gives visitors a fascinating overview of the modern interiors, dining rooms, tables and chairs for every purpose that are available from international manufacturers. Whether it’s a dining table that can be transformed into a billiards table or that uses integrated computer technology to turn itself into an electronic TV guide, today’s furniture is becoming increasingly intelligent and encouraging interaction.

For the first time, the collections of the solid wood furniture manufacturers will be on show in the Solid segment in Hall 10.1, where visitors can admire the fine furnishings currently being crafted out of the number-one natural material.

More upholstered furniture is on show at the imm cologne than anywhere else in the world. In the Comfort segment, manufacturers from all over the globe will be presenting a uniquely comprehensive overview of what the world market has to offer. Comfort and flexibility are the top priorities: modern relaxation furniture has to be comfortable enough to sit, lay or loll around on. On top of that, straightforward reconfiguration solutions mean trendy modular systems of upholstered furniture can be adapted to a wide range of different needs and situations.

When it comes to Young Lifestyles, visitors can find out what’s en vogue and promises to be big business in Halls 7 and 8 of the Smart segment. The exceedingly wide assortment offers numerous smart furnishing solutions that help make the most out of even a modestly proportioned interior. But maximising storage space isn’t the only thing that people furnishing their first homes are interested in. Attractive, trendy design and consistent quality have long been obligatory in this segment.

Hall 9 presents a dreamlike variety of sleep-related products. From mattress and sleeping systems all the way to bed linen and other textiles, this international overview presents everything the consumer needs to turn his bedroom into a wellness oasis for daytime relaxation as well: as the boundaries between the bedroom and bathroom gradually become more fluid, the bedroom is evolving into a cosy relaxation zone.

Thus the imm cologne is a place for dynamic trend developments where creative forces and innovative endeavours are found in concentrated form, where standards are set and a wealth of new signals sent. That is why, this year too, the developments in Interior Design for the coming season have been published in the Trend Book. One of the major conclusions the trend analysis came to was that, in future, the sustainability of the product will play a crucial role. All four trends will be staged in the Pure Village section of the fair, where members of the Trendboard and other design experts will also be giving informative lectures about the latest developments and specific aspects of interior design.

Thus, from 18th to 23rd January 2011, Cologne will again be the trend barometer for the international interior design world. Visitors and the media can look forward to a host of interesting companies and some fascinating product innovations.

photo: Jab Anstoetz.

It continues to be a megatrend in the textile sector and a genuine all-rounder that can be combined with anything: the colour white. It stands for purity and weightlessness and adds a sense of freshness and light. But it is also multifaceted. Textile specialist Jab Anstoetz (hall 11.1, stand D021 C020) is even dedicating an entire collection for the spring/summer 2011 season to it: White Passion. 48 items are to be launched in 49 different nuances of white, sometimes presenting the colour as subtle, elegant or pure, sometimes as playful and nonchalant. A mix of different patterns, materials in various shades of white.

Jab Anstoetz describes its Rixa fabric as nothing short of spectacular. Closely spaced, embroidered semicircles on a background of Bobinet tulle are meant to evoke countless slats. The fabric with the lengthways design is only available in snow-white. Elvis, a decorative fabric featuring fine, irregular stripes with different thread counts, seems to fluctuate between transparency and opacity, conjuring up a play of dancing light and shadows in the room.

Tanita, a jacquard-weave satin, consists of a mix of cotton, silk and polyacrylic. The different textures of the fibres create a partial cloque effect in a champagne hue. Lumi, on the other hand, is transparent. Big woven diamonds on a synthetic fil-coupé backing stand out from the gleaming background to create a matt-sheen effect. Lumi is available in one variant only: white with beige diamonds.

During the imm cologne 2011, Jab Anstoetz will be presenting the White Passion collection in Hall 11.1, Stand D021 C020.