China’s premier international design event Design Shanghai returned this year to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre in March and it has shown a significant expansion from its previous edition, leading its organisers to claim it as the “fastest growing international design event”.

This claim is backed by numbers – the four-day event welcomed over 50,000 visitors from 70 countries (an 11 per cent foot traffic increase from the previous year) that included architects, designers, collectors, buyers, artists, and property developers, as well as domestic and international media. Twelve thousands of the 50,000 visitors were VIP – a 35 per cent increase from last year.

The fair showcased more 400 exhibitors and partners in five halls – two of which were new additions. In addition to its three signature category halls (the Contemporary Design Hall, the Classic & Luxury Design Hall and the Collectible Design Hall), discussion forums and award programmes, Design Shanghai 2017 also debuted the Kitchen and Bathroom Design Hall and the Workplace Design Hall.

The fair also organised Design Shanghai in the City – a design tour to experience a series of fringe events held outside of the Shanghai Exhibition Centre in collaboration with 10 furniture showrooms.

Another major new initiative for this year’s edition was the Design Shanghai @ Xintiandi Design Festival. An initiative of Design Shanghai and the Shanghai Xintiandi district, Design Shanghai @ Xintiandi Design Festival saw the streets of the city district being populated by 18 curated spaces and interactive installations by Chinese and international designers and artists. The festival offered the local communities and visitors the opportunity to experience and rethink design, art and creativity in a new light.

“We feel that the event has reached a new level of maturity, opening up to the city and offering a unique platform for the international community to network, nurture collaborations and exchange ideas,” said Mike Dynan, Show Director of Design Shanghai.

Design Shanghai will return to Shanghai Exhibition Centre in 14 to 17 March 2018.