imm cologne 2020 Offers Interior Ideas at The Pure interior world 

December 11, 2019  by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

Manufacturers of furniture and related furnishing ranges have been presenting their new products, trends, colors and materials at the Interior Business Event in Cologne for more than 70 years. The “trend motor” for the interior design world sets the rhythm for the product presentations in the Pure interior world, where developments appear in a particularly pronounced way and can be read almost like a design catalogue. 

Thanks to its variety of international design labels, Pure offers a unique experience in a compact area: visitors can stroll between densely staged brand worlds in Pure Atmospheres, or head over to the design statements presented in a gallery in Pure Editions, and then marvel at the experimental concepts of young designers in the Pure Campus and in the Pure Talents Contest exhibition.

Between them, there emerges a unique dynamic, and the thematic connections not only form patterns in terms of content, but they also incorporate new approaches. As a result, the visit becomes a journey of discovery with plenty of inspirational moments. New furnishing ideas abound on every corner, complemented by curated exhibitions and elegant lounges with appealing gastronomic offerings. 

imm cologne presents a logical clustering of the furnishing market according to thematic focus areas. Restructurings such as the development, currently underway, of two focus areas – the Pure interior world located in the south and the Home interior world in the north – follow market developments and provide visitors with an aid to orientation. imm cologne visitors appreciate continuity and love the familiar layout of the Cologne trade fair grounds. In the Pure interior world, Ligne Roset, Rolf Benz and Team 7 are located on the upper floor of Hall 11 as in previous years, while a number of Italian brands can be found on the second hall level in Hall 11, and Vitra and Andersen Furniture are in Halls 3.2 and 2.2. 

The leading design labels use imm cologne at the start of every year to present their new design collections. Once again at imm cologne 2020, there will be a number of newcomers in the Pure interior world: around 17% of the Pure exhibitors are celebrating their Cologne premiere or are back after a break.

“The design product business is currently in motion. A number of design labels are shifting their activities from private spaces to the contract sector. Conversely, free spaces are opening up in the market for creative new brands offering design products for private individuals. We find this development very exciting and are looking forward to the trade show – not least because it means there is a new diversity for imm cologne 2020 visitors to discover,” explains Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse GmbH.

Punt, Möller Design, Montana Furniture, Extremis, Secto Design, Joli, Aguti, Le Klingt, Sicis, Eva Solo, Bolia, Lind, Munk Collective, Aromas Del Campo, Norr 11, Castro Lighting, Jardinico, Gemla, Störiko, Magis, Muubs, Adeo Design, FDB Møbler and Solpuri are just a few of the new design brands that await to be discovered at imm cologne 2020.

“We are proud of the large number of newcomers, but we are also delighted to welcome back quite a few returnees. imm cologne is without doubt the business hub for the design industry in northern Europe, which has its most important location in Germany. In recent years we have refused to rest on the laurels of our success with innovative formats such as Pure Editions and Pure Atmospheres, and have instead always invested in new event formats. We are aiming to continuously improve the quality of the visit and further intensify the visitor’s experience of discovering trends,” says Pollmann. 

In Cologne, the stars of the design scene come and go in a continuous stream between the many events, trade show stands and presentations on The Stage. In 2020, Jeannette Altherr, Karl Johan Bertilsson, Giulio Cappellini, Michael Hilgers, Philippe Malouin, and Therese and Regina Virserius will all be guests on The Stage. In comparison, young designers approach the work of developing furnishings with a more carefree attitude, still enjoying freedom from the constraints of the market and series production. This freshness represents the particular attraction of the Pure Talents Contest exhibition, where the nominated entries in imm cologne’s annual competition for emerging designers are presented by the creatives themselves.

imm cologne boasts a long tradition of supporting young talent: the Pure Talents Contest is now in its 17th edition, and once again this year, 20 students and graduates of international design universities will be presenting their work in Passage 2 | 3. 

One of the innovations at imm cologne 2020 is the Pure Campus, the newly conceived format for design universities (Hall 3.1). International universities present themselves at imm cologne to an expert audience, potential customers from the furnishing industry, and to promote the study of the creative professions at their institutions. An integrated forum functions as a mouthpiece of and for young designers. This is a platform upon which the design universities can present themselves, and lectures and talks covering all aspects of design can reach an interested audience. An additional workshop space area promotes exchange between young creative, and makes the visit to the Pure Campus a stimulating study day.