The Australian International Furniture Fair will kick off the 2008 Asia Pacific calendar of furniture and furnishing Trade Fairs with two new features, the Hotel and Hospitality Showcase and Retirement Living Showcase, when it opens on Wednesday 6 February 2008 at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
The Australian International Furniture Fair will include more than 250 exhibitors from around Australia as well as New Zealand, Europe and Canada, with well over 50% of exhibitors new for 2008. It is expected to attract more than 7,000 Australian and international buyers over three days. Key exhibitors include Atama Furniture, Urban Edge Innovations, Graham & Brown Wallcoverings, Cromwell and H & H Collection.
The show will host furniture companies such as Urban Edge Innovations which has a fine collection of dining tables, coffee tables and outdoor art, designed for the entertainer. The company grew when designer, manufacturer and owner Tyrone Pedonese first created innovative pieces for himself and was inundated with requests for similar designs.
Cutting edge company O-Planner Pty, manufacturers of high quality furniture and suppliers of upmarket chairs from Italy are a highlight of the event. They will be displaying their xO collection owned by Phillipe Starck, Gerard Mialet and Giles Mangin. All pieces are scaled down versions from the original size and are personally autographed by Phillipe Starck.
A highlight of the 2008 event is Kaye Gosline (USA) the creative director for Milliken floor covering and an internationally recognised colour expert in the carpet industry. Kaye has also written two critically acclaimed books, About Colour One and About Colour Two, and will be a key speaker at the hugely popular International Industry Seminar Series, which will also include Michael Leow from Mix Future Interiors magazine (UK) speaking on Future Trend Directions in the Global Home Furnishings Industry.
Decoration + Design will be co-located with the Australian International Furniture Fair and include the latest trends in interiors. Another exhibitor to make their debut at the show is Vehara, featuring a collection of silver plated, handcrafted homewares and lighting, blending traditional eastern mastery with western style and practicality. The company is run by two sisters, Intan and Sakinah Kosem who have been well received by high-end retailers around Australia.
The event’s other major attraction, The Edge – Design and Innovation Showcase and Design Competition has attracted more than 70 entries with 50 up-and-coming designers from here and overseas chosen for the event. The showcase provides the designers with valuable exposure to the international furniture community. Entries are judged in three categories: Student, Concept and Commercial.
The Australian International Furniture Fair is co-located with Decoration + Design. It is organised by Australian Exhibitions & Conferences .
What: The Australian International Furniture Fair 2008
Where: Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
When: Wednesday 6 February – Friday 8 February, 2008
