A design fair where you can meet upcoming designers and buy the latest products directly seems like a very interesting attempt at covering the middle ground between professional trade fairs public outlets dumping last year’s products at discounted prices.
Since the conference center Bella Center discontinued its CODE design fair, Copenhagen has lacked an international design fair, and several actors are trying to fill the vacuum: I was originally hired by Exhibition Professionals to work with the DNA Nordic furniture and lighting fair. Unfortunately I only got to write the official press release postponing the fair to 2013, the same year Bella Center will be returning with its new DesignTrade Copenhagen and the biennale Danish Design Week.
Blickfang seem to try to edge in on the gap left by the big players, and with 5500 visitors they have promised to return.
The Blickfang fairs have existed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for 15 years, combining furniture, home accessories, fashion, and jewellery. According to the international Blickfang webpage, the exhibitors seem to be mainly continental designers, while the Danish PR and marketing material indicate a strong Danish and Nordic presence.
Unfortunately I got sick and couldn’t participate. But from a consumer standpoint, I would really have liked to know the price level: Is this mostly aimed at the affluent and interior designers stocking up on fresh material, or are the prices appealing to a more diverse bargain hunter audience known from regular consumer fairs?
Another interesting question is why the designers decide to participate, and if they were satisfied with the results.
The marketing material promise a mixed audience of young fashion victims and wealthier design fans aged mid 20ties to early 60ties. This gives upcoming designers an opportunity to bypass retail and sell directly to trendsetting consumers, as well as strengthen the (brand) value: Adding the experience of treasure hunting for something unique, the glamour of meeting the actual designer, and knowledge of the thoughts and process behind.
Other benefits are the opportunity to network with other designers, producers, and journalists, as well as getting feedback and inspiration directly from the visitors
Blickfang has not achieved a lot of media attention yet, but was mentioned in Danish Design Association’s newsletter, fashionforum.dk, rumid.dk, eurowoman.dk, and in the home-section of financial newspaper Børsen. More thorough articles can be expected in media partner Eurowoman and RUM magazines.
Fair dates:
- DesignTrade Copenhagen: August 28th-30th
- DNA 2013: September 12-15th
- Blickfang Copenhagen 2013: November 15th-19th