With a little under five months to go, preparations for the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2015/32nd ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2015), The Décor Show, and Hospitality 360° are well underway. Pre-registration for the show is open from now till the end of February 2015 and more than 1,500 industry professionals have already registered for complimentary access online. Returning to Singapore EXPO from 13 - 16 March 2015, the trilogy of design-led events will occupy interconnected Halls 1 through 6, and visitors can expect to enjoy a seamless experience while browsing the comprehensive range of furniture presented by a diverse portfolio of quality exhibitors.
 
“The show’s primary objective has been to facilitate conversations and create business opportunities between manufacturers and designers, distributors, retailers, and hoteliers,” expressed Mr Ernie Koh, Chairman of IFFS. He added, “Each year, the team endeavours to make the event even better and more relevant for all attendees. And for 2015, buyers can look forward to a wider offering with the addition of exhibitors from two new countries, while those seeking inspiration can keep their eyes peeled for our brand new SingaPlural Design Hall.”
 
New Exhibiting Countries
 
As Asia’s leading sourcing platform, IFFS promises to be a truly international event that features the best of furniture and furnishing products from prominent manufacturers across the globe. This time, the show trio boasts a total of 12 country pavilions – including Belgium, China, France, Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Thailand, and Vietnam – as well as new representation from Portugal and Turkey, bringing the total country count to 28.
 
New Approach to Design
 
As IFFS evolves and matures, it stays true to its calling to meld ‘design’ with the furniture business. In all these years, design has been and remains the focus of the event’s plans and execution, providing direction and injecting life to the show each year. While the show traditionally devotes an entire gallery to design, audiences can expect a novel approach to celebrating design at IFFS 2015.
 
For one, George Soo of FLIQ will curate a thematic showcase of carefully selected pieces taken from collections that will be presented by a group of 15 crème-de-la-crème exhibitors from the SingaPlural Design Hall. Located in Hall 1, this installation will give visitors a sneak peek of the exclusive designs offered by notable companies, including d-Bodhi (Singapore), Far East Furniture (The Philippines), Resource Décor (Hong Kong, China), HALO (Hong Kong, China), Woven+ (The Netherlands), Tropical Outdoor (Hong Kong, China), and Kare Design (Germany).
 
Also worth anticipating at IFFS 2015 are two light installations exclusively crafted for the show. Through the clever use of innovative printed lighting technology, Singapore designers Kenny Hong of 11H and Andre Tan of XOPO will each present their unique creations at various locations, enhancing the show experience for attendees.

SingaPlural@IFFS

SingaPlural is a showcase of the best design elements from the multiple facets of Singapore’s creative spectrum, including Advertising, Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, as well as Interior, Furniture, Graphic and Fashion Design. An event organised by SFIC, SingaPlural 2015 that runs from 10 – 16 March is the anchor event of the Singapore Design Week. Several components of the event will also grace the SingaPlural Design Hall in IFFS, including the Asian STAR Showcase, a themed display featuring pieces under the Furniture Design Awards (FDA), as well as the latest designs from international studios, associations, and institutions.
 
In the Asian STAR Showcase, a collection of pieces by rising designers from countries across Asia, including Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Thailand, and Vietnam, will be on display. Selected based on recommendations from the Asian design community, the partial line-up of designers confirmed for the Asian STAR Showcase to-date includes:
 
Lee Chi-Wing - Milk Design (Hong Kong, China)
Alvin Tjitrowirjo – Alvin T (Indonesia)
Anastasia Sulemantoro - Artm (Indonesia)
Joshua Simandjuntak - Karsa (Indonesia)
Tomo Kimura – Pecci Kimura (Japan)
Francis Lye – Mfivio (Malaysia)
Andre Tan – XOPO (Singapore)
Clement Zheng – Deslogue  (Singapore)
George Soo – FLIQ (Singapore)   
Jexter Lim (Singapore)
Kenny Hong – 11H (Singapore)
Chen Yen-Hao – YHHY (Taiwan, China)
Feng Cheng-Tsung (Taiwan, China)
Lee Chia-Ying - studio if (Taiwan, China)
Yin Tzu-Chi (Taiwan, China)
Pich Tripasai - TRIPASAI ARCHITECT (Thailand)
Siriporn Kobnithikulwong & Wuthichai Leelavoravong - Everyday Studio (Thailand)

Over at another part of the SingaPlural Design Hall, guests will be treated to a stunning visual display that highlights the well-received FDA, curated by Anon Pairot of Anon Pairot Studio (Thailand).
 
Last but not least, a group of design studios, associations, and institutions from the region will also be participating in IFFS. These include: Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore) in collaboration with King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Thailand) and furniture manufacturer Hawaii Thai; Osaka Seikei University (Japan); Technical School Drvo Art (Serbia); and Shih Chien University (Taiwan, China).
 
Following a successful 2014 edition that welcomed a total of 22,496 trade visitors comprising 97 international buying delegations from 115 countries, and 418 exhibiting companies from 33 countries, IFFS 2015 expects to usher even more quality industry professionals to the trilogy of events.