12 July 2018: Biennale Interieur will showcase some of the best design brands and talents from across the globe at its 50th anniversary show, which runs from 18-22 October 2018 in Kortrijk, Belgium. Notable exhibitors include brands such as Flos, cc-tapis, Fritz Hansen and Hem and new products designed by the likes of Patricia Urquiola, Marcel Wanders and Barber & Osgerby.

Renowned Italian lighting manufacturer Flos – which has exhibited at Biennale Interieur since 1970 – returns with a special selection of works by Achille Castiglioni to celebrate his centenary birthday. In addition to Castiglioni’s historic lights, many of which are still the company’s bestsellers including Arco, Snoopy and Taccia, Flos will showcase two special anniversary re-editions, Ventosa and Nasa. Biennale Interieur will host special guest Giovanna Castiglioni, daughter of Achille, who will take part in the lecture programme. Flos will also showcase lighting designs by Barber & Osgerby.

Italian-based cc–tapis, producers of contemporary hand-knotted rugs, will exhibit new pieces by British designer Faye Toogood and Dutch textile designer Mae Englender. The new designs, which have been handcrafted by Tibetan artisans in Nepal, will be revealed in a new stand concept designed by Studio Milo.

Known for creating contemporary furniture for the home or workplace, Stockholm-based design brand Hem will be exhibiting at Biennale Interieur for the first time. The brand will present a number of new furniture pieces including a smart modular sofa: Kumo by Anderssen & Voll and the new Alphabeta Floor Lamp by Luca Nichetto.

Danish brand Fritz Hansen will showcase its new dining chair N01 by Nendo; created by the merging of Danish and Japanese aesthetics and purity, N01 brings back nature and embraces the essence of timeless wood craftsmanship. In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Arne Jacbosen’s iconic Egg, Swan and Drop chairs, Fritz Hansen will bring to Biennale Interieur, Timeless Yet Relevant in Time; an exhibition celebrating the architect and designer Arne Jacobsen's iconic landmark, SAS Royal Hotel, and his collaboration with the brand.

Laufen, the Swiss brand will display an extensive range of new products from world-renowned design talents including Patricia Urquiola and Konstantin Grcic. Amongst these new collections,Laufen will present its first range by Marcel Wanders created using SaphirKeramik, a super-strong ceramic material that allows itself to be fashioned along minimal, architectural lines.

Also returning to Biennale Interieur is contemporary lighting manufacturer Lambert & Fils which will reveal Dorval in collaboration with SCMP. Joint winner of the Interieur Objects Award, Dorval takes inspiration from airport runway lights and the essential qualities of a chandelier, a subtle interplay between contemporary and vintage industrial design.

As well as an exciting roster of international talent, Biennale Interieur will spotlight some of Belgium’s best design brands. Luxury interiors and kitchen company Obumex will exhibit new furniture from French designer Christophe Delcourt, while Maison Vervloet will present new decorative hardware by Stijn D'hondt. Wever & Ducré will showcase new decorative lighting including new pendants and table lamps. Additionally, natural stone company Van Den Weghe will exhibit its collection of high-end surfaces.

Kortrijk-based PER/USE offer a balanced mix of contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories designed by international collaborators. At Biennale Interieur, the brand will showcase new lighting and furniture collections including Chamfer lights by Carly Cnops & David Braekman, Loop lights by Filip Janssens and Settle stool by Cas Moor & Lieven Musschoot.

Biennale Interieur will feature over 200 exhibitors showcasing a variety of products ranging from kitchen and bathroom ware, textiles and carpets, as well as lighting, furniture and technology.

Additional features of Biennale Interieur include:

The Floor Is Yours – an exhibition space dedicated to emerging design talents and new design studios such as Atelier Piraat (BE), Bultin (BE), Concealed Studio (CAN) and Antikapratika (DE).

·         Interieur Awards – a platform for emerging designers to present their ideas to a large and professional audience. Spaces will showcase three young architectural practices, each given the opportunity to design a bar concept in its entirety, including the interior layout and food and drink concept. The winners include Julien Renault (BE) & Paul Vaugoyea (SW), Raams Studio (ES) and Matyas Molnar, Maros Somora & Christian Vajda (BE). Objects presents extraordinary interior products from two winners and an additional short list of 14 designers. The winners are Bram Kerkhofs (BE) and SCMP Design Office (FR)

·         Scenography – designed by Studio Verter, a central piazza will provide structure and characterise the interior landscape of the show. Biennale Interieur’s archetypal city will be characterised by the presence of objects or structures found in every city, such as a fountain, statue or kiosk. Four designers have been invited to develop their vision of an urban object, including Adam Nathaniel Furman (UK), Conrad Willems (BE), Chmara Rosinke (AT), Maniera and Arno Brandlhuber (DE).