Mark your calendars: 2023’s top design trade shows
Attending a design fair can be a unique experience, although it’s not always possible. Fortunately, through their websites and social media, we can access a great deal of interesting content, such as photos, videos, reviews, and reflections on the topics that each organization chooses to work on every year. Online material allows us to get an idea of what is being exhibited, discover the latest trends in the world of design, and find inspiration. Furthermore, exploring the work of designers and brands from around the world broadens and enriches our perspective.
Even though we’re already halfway through May đ± there are still many super-important events for 2023. We have compiled the most renowned ones in this list, but we invite you to comment on which other design fairs you believe we should include.
MAY
NYCxDESIGN (also known as New York City Design Week)
New York City, United States
18-25
This year, NYCxDESIGN celebrates its 11th anniversary. The festival showcases the talent and diversity of designers, creators, and manufacturers from the city, along with world-class design companies and cultural institutions.
It attracts over 300,000 visitors worldwide and includes the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and the WantedDesign (from the 21st to the 23rd). ICFF is the main event for contemporary furniture design in North America, while WantedDesign is the platform dedicated to supporting the international creative community and promoting emerging design in the United States. Together, they bring together over 400 established and emerging design brands from more than 25 countries, featuring furniture, lighting, wall coverings, carpets and flooring, kitchen and bathroom products, and more.
The novelty of this year is Spotlight International, design presentations offered by consulates and trade commissions from around the world based in New York City, with Argentine Creative Experience being one of the highlights. The country’s innovative experience and long design tradition will be showcased through an open exhibition, a private viewing, and the participation of Argentine design companies at the ICFF expo.
In this edition, Richter SpielgerÀte will unveil Bubble House, a captivating new product designed by the talented Argentinian artist, architect and designer Leticia Paschetta and distributed in North America by APE Studio.
Richter SpielgerĂ€te is a renowned German company that excels in the manufacture and design of children’s playground equipment. Based in Germany, its goal is to offer children stimulating and enriching play experiences that foster their physical, social and cognitive development.
Melbourne Design Week
Melbourne, Australia
18-28
Eleven days of talks, exhibitions, installations, and workshops to celebrate and explore design across its various disciplines. This year’s theme revolves around three pillars: Transparency, Currency, and Legacy, and features a program divided into two parts: the National Gallery of Victoria with regional and international exhibitions and events like the Art Book Fair and Design Market, plus activities in Melbourne and other parts of Victoria organized in studios, commercial establishments, universities, galleries, parks, and public spaces. Over 55,000 people attended the festival in 2022, making it Australia’s largest and most significant design event.
More Info: https://designweek.melbourne
Light Fair
New York City, United States
21-25
It is the premier biennial fair and conference for the architectural and commercial lighting industry. It brings together designers, architects, engineers, manufacturers, and other professionals in the lighting field, providing an opportunity for networking and learning from experts at the forefront of the lighting business.
More Info: https://www.lightfair.com
Clerkenwell Design Week
London, England
23-25
The UK’s most important design festival will showcase a wide range of innovative interior design products and activities. From the Creative Centre of London, it will feature over 130 showroom spaces, more than 200 exhibitors, and, as a new addition for 2023, 10 design destinations. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore leading brands in the design world, discover new talents, enjoy specially commissioned installations, and participate in brand activations. Additionally, there will be hundreds of events, workshops, talks, parties, showroom presentations, and other design-related activities.
Yinka will be presenting his colorful tiles collection at Domus Clerkenwell. As detailed on the fair’s website: âA Magical Worldâ will exhibit stunning glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles, drawing on the vibrancy of color and light in nature.
Yinka Ilori
Esther Patterson, the creative force behind Curiousa, will also take part. Curiousa blends the natural essence of free-blown glass with a modern sensibility, taking inspiration from history to create unique lighting sculptures. Every piece is meticulously crafted by hand in their Midlands workshop, where glass elements are skillfully free-blown, devoid of mold. Also exhibiting will be the multi-award winning wallpapers and fabrics company, The Monkey Puzzle Tree. Recognized with the prestigious Design Guild Mark in 2021 and 2022, The Monkey Puzzle Tree has also been shortlisted for the 2023 edition (pending the outcome).
More Info: https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com
Special thanks to the staff of Clerkenwell Design Week who provided us with these wonderful photographs!
Index
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
23-25
The best of interior design with three days for industry professionals to connect, network, and discover the latest innovations from major global brands and manufacturers.
More Info: https://www.indexexhibition.com
Home Design and Remodeling Show
Miami, United States
26-29
While it takes place on various dates and locations, the May edition will be held at the Palm Beach Convention Center. Individual product demonstrations and panel discussions on the most cutting-edge trends in the home design industry. From arts to home automation, the exhibits span the entire spectrum of home design. The upcoming dates are from September 1st to 4th at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, and from the 20th to the 22nd at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center in Coral Way, Miami.
More Info: https://homeshows.net
JUNE
IMM
Cologne, Germany
4-7
The International Furniture and Decoration Fair annually offers top-notch exhibitors, international designers and creatives, and innovative exhibitions of living room, bedroom, and kitchen furniture, textiles, and accessories.
More Info: https://www.imm-cologne.com
3 Days Design
Copenhagen, Denmark
7-9
Around 280 incredible brands spanning furniture, lighting, accessories, and materials, all innovative in their field, will participate in this tenth edition. This year’s festival theme highlights the connections that hold the design industry together. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the fair will reflect on our interconnectednessâhow much we depend on each other and how much we can learn from one another in our efforts to create great designs.
More Info: https://www.3daysofdesign.dk
Design Shanghai
Shanghai, China
8-11
It is one of the most prestigious design events in the world. In its tenth edition, the event focuses on exploring how Eastern and Western design philosophies can synergistically work together. In addition to showcasing customized installations, it will also include an inspiring design forum and networking events.
More Info: https://www.designshanghai.com
NeoCon
Chicago, United States
12-14
One of the most prestigious trade shows in the world. Since 1969, NeoCon has been positioned as one of the most significant annual events and the premier global forum for the commercial design sector. It brings together leading manufacturers in the industry and emerging companies offering furniture, textiles, flooring, interior building products, finishes, and technology. This year’s presentations will focus on building a more sustainable, equitable, and brilliant future.
More Info: https://neocon.com
Interior Lifestyle Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
14-16
This will be its 31st edition. High-end furniture, designer tableware, food products, and jewelry, among other things, will be exhibited. The fair will take place at Tokyo Big Sight, an iconic building composed of four inverted pyramids covered in glass and titanium, and the largest exhibition center in Japan.
More Info: https://interiorlifestyle-tokyo.jp.messefrankfurt.com
AUGUST
International Furniture Expo
Guadalajara, Mexico
16-19
It brings together leading national and international furniture manufacturers, as well as department stores, furniture stores, and interior designers.
More Info: https://expomuebleinternacional.com.mx
SEPTEMBER
Puro Diseño Fair
Buenos Aires, Argentina
1-3
First held in 2001, Puro Diseño has become the largest regional platform for the promotion of design in all its forms. It takes place annually at La Rural and features exhibitions and sales booths, talks with designers and entrepreneurs, workshops, fashion shows, performances, and a wide range of gastronomic and entertainment options.
More Info: https://purodiseno.lat
Maison&Objet
Paris, France
7-11
The fair takes place twice a year, in January and September. With 27 years of history, each edition lasts five days and attracts exhibitors and visitors from around the world interested in interior decoration, design, and home fashion. In January, the theme focused on sustainability, well-being, social responsibility, and resilience. According to the website, the September program will be loaded soon: https://www.maison-objet.com
Helsinki Design Week
Helsinki, Finland
8-17
This year, it will take place in the maritime district of Punavuori, an industrial block of buildings that was a shipyard in the 19th century. The festival’s theme, “Once Upon a Time,” invites creative professionals and communities to share their Stories.
More Info: https://helsinkidesignweek.com
The Design Fair
MedellĂn, Colombia
14-16
In its tenth edition, the fair will have 35% more space than in 2022, with over 250 national and international exhibitors. Additionally, there will be a Business Center to schedule appointments and generate opportunities, and 15 satellite events will be held in different spaces around the city.
More Info: https://laferiadediseno.com
London Design Festival
London, England
16-24
For four days, hundreds of exhibiting brands come together to showcase a wide range of products, including furniture, lighting, materials, and installations. Additionally, the fair features the LDNdesign Talks program, where designers discuss the latest trends, industry issues, and historical movements. The 2023 program is not yet available, but updates will be announced soon.
More Info: https://www.londondesignfestival.com
Habitat Fair
Valencia, Spain
19-22
It is an important international fair for furniture and lighting. Each year, more than 600 national and international companies participate, and the latest edition attracted 48,000 visitors from 70 countries. By March, it had already filled 90% of its exhibition spaces.
More Info: https://www.feriahabitatvalencia.com
Singapore Design Week
Singapore, Singapore
21 sep-1 Oct
One of the leading design festivals in Asia, this year’s theme is “Better with Design,” aiming to reflect on the commitment to champion design and creativity as tools to tackle complex challenges and shape a better future.
More Info: https://sdw.designsingapore.org
Vienna Design Week
Vienna, Austria
22 Sep-1 Oct
Vienna Design Week is Austria’s most important multidisciplinary and curated design festival. The festival comprises around 200 events and welcomes 40,000 visitors every year.
More Info: https://www.viennadesignweek.at
OCTOBER
PAD London
London, England
10-15
An annual event held in London and Paris dedicated exclusively to contemporary and 20th-century design. Founded in 2007 by Patrick Perrin, PAD London is the only fair in the UK in this field and takes place every October in Berkeley Square in Mayfair. It encompasses interior design but is not limited exclusively to this field. The 2023 edition in Paris took place in March.
More Info: https://www.padesignart.com/en/london
NOVEMBER
Mebel
Moscow, Russia
20-24
The largest annual furniture fair and the main event in the industry in Russia and Eastern Europe. In 2022, the fair featured 70,000 square meters of exhibition space and welcomed 36,727 professional visitors from 88 Russian regions and 60 countries.
More Info: https://www.meb-expo.ru/en
DECEMBER
Miami Art Week
Miami, United States
6-10
Multiple exhibitions during the first week of December. Miami Art Week is an annual and highly significant event. With over 20 art fairs, 1,200 galleries, and a large number of artists, it attracts collectors, buyers, prominent figures, and art enthusiasts from all over the world. Some of the notable fairs include Art Basel Miami Beach, Design Miami, PULSE Art Fair, NADA Miami, and Scope Miami Beach. Although it focuses primarily on contemporary art, it is an opportunity for designers to learn about art trends in interior design, network and find inspiration.
More Info: https://www.miamiartweek.org
Due to the date of this article, we did not include in the list regional fairs of high value that have already taken place such as DW! in SĂŁo Paulo (Brazil) and Design + Fashion Week in Uruguay.
Also CasaCor, one of the largest and most comprehensive exhibitions of architecture, interior design, and landscaping in the Americas. There are around twenty editions planned for 2023, which you can find here: https://casacor.abril.com.br/mostras/
