After the enormous success of the autumn exhibition, we were pleased to hear about the spring edition of showUP, which takes place from Sunday February 4 to Monday February 5 2018.
For those who haven’t yet discovered this fantastic contemporary design exhibition, showUP is an inspirational trade fair for home, gift and lifestyle accessories, which runs twice a year at the EXPO Haarlemmermeer exhibition space near Schipol airport, Amsterdam.
The event, which is easily accessible from the airport, offers a unique and innovative concept to the retail trade, with a spacious layout and diverse array of stands are displayed to full advantage via carefully crafted room sets and other great merchandising ideas.
While Scandinavian design is already well-established in the UK market, the quirky, cool and sustainable Dutch counterpart has received less exposure, although that may change as titanic global trade fair, Ambiente, makes Holland its partner country for 2018.
A smattering of Dutch brands are also exhibiting at UK events including Spring Fair, Top Drawer and Autumn Fair, but the largest presentation will be at showUP in spring. showUP will present countless gems in the home interiors sector, from a wealth of cool international exhibitors.
One of the first to catch our eye was Catchii Homeware, which offers dinnerware collections of high quality fine porcelain from Europe, thoughtfully handcrafted with artfully decorated designs, from Dutch Designer Femke Zwaan.
The collections are designed with exceptional attention to detail and feature flora and fauna of the world´s most fascinating cultures. Made from 100% porcelain, the pieces are durable, scratch and chip resistant, and are suitable for restaurants and hotels. All are microwave, dishwasher and oven safe and made in EU.
Besides dinnerware, Catchii offers a collection of bright and playful wall art and post cards, all illustrated by Femke Zwaan.
We also liked the look of these fun animal ornaments – perfect for kids’ rooms or nurseries- by Mono Object, which has developed a series of friendly and bright-coloured wooden animals called Plinth Creatures, which are equally at home on a wall as on a plinth. The bright colours and fleet footed bring your wall to life. Be aware a plinth creature is not childish.
Then there is Dutch contemporary brand Retro 1951, which is on an unabashed mission to bring fashion, fun and value to the world of writing instruments and business accessories. Known for bright, cool colors and an even better attitude, Retro stands by their mission, “Life is too short to carry an ugly pen!” Every Retro piece is designed with that nostalgic, early American-dream, and it could be best said that “We make ‘em like they used to!” We love this witty piece of lunar landing memorabilia.
Studio Roof is another wonderful and original contemporary brand you can look forward to seeing as showUP. The company offers ecofriendly toys and home decor inspired by nature and art for kids and grown ups.
The February edition of showUP will incorporate almost 350 manufacturers, distributors and agents from around the world, all presenting the latest creations across contemporary home and tableware, gifts, gadgets, toys and stationery. This will of course include a strong contingent of the very best Dutch home and gift designers, all of them keen to reach the UK market with their super cool designs and trend-making products.
Find out more about showUP and register for free here (trade only).
Images from top to bottom: Acorn & Will, Studio Roof, Fisura, Werkhaus, Catchii Homeware, Mono Objet, Retro 1951, Studio Roof, Holtziger, Cavallini
