I’ve decided that I love fairs. Whether it’s art fairs, home goods fairs, furniture fairs or book fairs — there’s something wonderful about going from booth to booth to discover the latest trends. So there I was, in Frankfurt, a city most people just visit for its airport, to attend Ambiente, the “queen of all trade fairs”. On display were the most innovative home goods, from 4,500 exhibitors, of whom 527 were from India. More than 90 countries participate. Davos may be the place to discuss global trade, but Frankfurt is where it actually takes place.
Nothing had prepared me for the massive indoor convention space, spread across 74 kilometres. It’s a good thing I exercise religiously and am in somewhat OK shape.
This year, India was Ambiente’s official partner country and the focus was on handmade crafts. With 1,50,000 visitors from 122 countries, the fair is a great way to showcase the best of Indian design. As luck would have it, on my first day there, in a crowd of thousands, I spotted my fancy friend, the Gifting Goddess. GG is India’s go-to person for impeccably-designed flower arrangements, wedding trousseaus filled with the fanciest appliances (think Dolce & Gabbana x SMEG toasters), or the perfectly-packaged Diwali and baby shower gifts.
I’d spotted her from afar by her huge diamonds, which shone bright as she walked briskly past me. “GG, are you in Frankfurt?” I WhatsApped her. My phone buzzed two seconds later. “What are you doing here?” she asked, adding, “I’ve come back to the fair after five years, and I’m so impressed.” “Really, why?” I asked. “I thought I’d find European and Chinese suppliers, but the Indians are just fantastic. The quality is so good, all my orders are going to Indians,” she said. Sometimes one has to travel halfway around the world to see the beauty coming out of India!
Stall after stall of goods from India were impressive — whether rugs made of recycled saris and discarded rubber (The Rug Republic), to metal goods and glassware, cushion covers and linen. Designs were contemporary and sophisticated. Sunil Sethi, who heads FDCI, Jaipur-based Ayush Kasliwal of Studio AKFD, and Sandeep Sangaru from Bengaluru presented an eclectic ‘Make in India’ campaign featuring award-winning craftsmen and a series of handmade artisanal wares, from shawls to mats to thalis . Sangaru designed a café called Starry Night, made entirely of bamboo lamps, tables and seating. I told him I wished it could be transported to Mumbai ASAP.
Beyond India, I was most impressed with Turkey. The glassware company Nude, which collaborates with designers like Ron Arad and Space Copenhagen, unveiled its work with 97-year-old style icon Iris Apfel. It will hit markets in a few months and includes glassware, vases and table objects. I made a note to myself to tell GG, whose clientèle would probably love it. Another Turkish company, Serax, uses cement to make wonderful dishware.
And then there was Meissen, the German porcelain company. I’d tended to associate it with dowager aunties, but in its 21st century avatar it had produced a one-of-a-kind ceramic wall depicting flying birds, painted by 15 painters. Priced at €500,000, it was magnificent and attracted quite a crowd.
Later I spied a life-size wooden boat filled with gleaming silver in a stall. It belonged to the luxe German brand Robbe & Berking, whose owner’s twin passions are silver and sailing. As I went to admire a large candelabra, a good looking German sales representative honed in on me. “Yours for €26,000,” he said. When I told him I was from India, he nodded. “We have very good Indian clients.” “Do they buy these expensive items?” I queried. “Yes, we sold two last week!” Now you see why I love fairs. Not only are they a place to find beauty, they are also a haven for such tidbits!
This fortnightly column tracks the indulgent pursuits of the one-percenters.
