Fair Report ::: Ambiente 2012
“aART� by Mariike Vijfhuizen producer: www.gardeco.eu
Good information is half the battle We need strong ideas, attractive concepts, and fresh products without an end. As the world's most important event of the consumer goods industry the Ambiente in Frankfurt brings the market on the move. I met many international exhibitors presenting a great variety of products and the latest trends in dining, giving and living.
Lagerfeld versus Villa Villekulla Many of my colleagues opinioned, it was this year to colorful. No wonder most of them are totally black dressed. And yes, we know that the non-colors are black and white, which had been confirmed once by Karl Lagerfeld. I've seen him in the booth of Orrefors - on a giant screen. Prior to that, there was a short catwalk with 3 black dressed dolls. On the catwalk even his collection of wine- and champagne glasses in black, white and clear glass. Also the Coca Cola bottles designed by him were not missing as well as a magnum bottle with champagne.
I have learned from Orrefors' export Manager Andreas Ravelli (Yes, the Austrian football player!), that Karl the Great has relatives in Sweden. And he has also something for the sister company Kosta Boda in the pipeline. Next to it was Kosta which really a lot of objects which were really sparkling colorful. The blown objects by Anna Ehrner were great, she obviously likes colored veils works inside the casting compound regardless whether it was in bowls or vases.
The neighbors were there, too The varied, great Denmark is located next to the small country of Sweden. The Danes this time were the host country on the Ambiente. Below the stand-number they showed even the Dannebrog, a red flag with a white cross, blew against one. A total of 91 exhibitors showed their manufactured evergreens and new products with pride. Princess Benedikte of Denmark visited her Danish exhibitors and the special exhibition, curated by the Dansk Design Center on 13th February. That had to go naturally rather briskly and as such I saw the Royal Highness unfortunately only very briefly at the Skagerak stand. The company with the timeless garden furniture and useful accessories made out of of teak. Somehow, the Danes gave the fair a touch of royalty.
What else? Yes, we remain in the North; because they also understand very well of designing and producing modern as well as time-less tableware. So I found beautiful chopsticks made of stainless steel, waiting only to sushi and sashimi at a stand of the Norwegian manufacturer Hardanger Bestikk making mainly cutlery it along with other silverware. Then I should sit down on a bench made out steel base with a rust brown touch. Sitting on it I was quite surprised that the seat was gently warm. Immediately I looked under the bench and what did I see there? Tea lights! On such an idea, one must come first. Back slapping to Raumgestalt to their WĂ„RMEBANK. Talking about metal, I have mention also hand bags (for ladies) which were made from the rings of aluminum cans and actually looked as if they belong to the collection of a luxury label. However, it is a simple and stylish design from Brazil, which fulfills recycling requirements. Only available at Espirito Brasilis - orders by men are also accepted!
Well, the end of the winter you may think already about a witty summer in my garden. I foresee that the padding and cushions are always on the move. Unpacking - rain comes – move to safety place. That has an end, even with opulent sofas and chairs; because the company Fink Living brings the living room into the open air. Their CARLO outdoor furniture collection has inside hand-welded aluminum frames and the padding is from quick dry foam which is covered with fabrics from Sunbrella, which feels like combed cotton and is of course water resistant. So! The whole thing can remain safely outside and does not any coverage during a rain. It’s also insanely fast drying. However, I learned that it will not be exported yet.
I felt almost at home again at mano design. Mano has neutral, but also subtle painted dishes made out of Fine bone China - in top quality. The owner, Hedwig Rotter, had many curious inquiries from the Far East. You know what I mean. Ultimately, she was satisfied just as I was with the level and quality in this Hall 11, also known as the Loft.
Finally still a commendation to the Frankfurt fair itself, which I think visited now the 10th time. Nowhere else is a consumer goods fair as smooth and easy as given here and I never had been tired to see even more, since I always felt always felt well informed.
The “Ambiente” with it’s 4,543 exhibitors from 87 countries took 5 days and had a bit more than 140,000 visitors, which is a quite a good confirmation that Frankfurt is the leader trading place for consumer goods.
Next year “Ambiente” will be held from 15th till 19th February, 2013.
See you!
Yours Wolfgang G. Külper