Design Shanghai 2014

The inaugural Design Shanghai event (February 27 – March 2) will play host to more than 150 global design brands in the city, demonstrating the potential of blending Eastern and Western markets. Ninety per cent of the exhibiting brands have never shown before in China, with influential European names such as Italian brands Magis, Flos, Alessi and Danish design house Hay among the roster of design manufacturing and producing elite.

"We've already seen global retailers and, increasingly, young Asian fashion brands use Shanghai as a springboard into mainland China,” notes Stylus’ Hayley Ard, senior editor of Consumer Lifestyle. “The time is right for the design world to follow suit.” 

Earlier this year, we called out Design Shanghai as a key event to watch on the design calendar in Chinese Design: A Fresh Blend. See the full report for insight into the new generation of creatives who are rejuvenating Chinese design and raising the country’s visibility and influence on the global interior design stage. 

This growing influence has also been spotted at Western shows – see the Asian Appeal section of Ambiente 2014: Trends.