Danish Design Society Moves to Hong Kong
Big business and branding are on the agenda when Danish companies, architects and designers participate in Hong Kong Business of Design Week from 6-8 December 2012 to present “Design Society Denmark”.
Hong Kong Business of Design Week is Asia’s largest and most prestigious design event. It is a meeting place for more than 100,000 people who work with design in a professional capacity. The design week is focused on four main areas: exhibitions of design products and solutions, conferences on key topics, business-to-business meetings between Danish and Chinese companies and the involvement of institutions of higher education with a focus on design.
Denmark is a partner country in this year’s design week and participates under the heading “Design Society Denmark”. The theme highlights Denmark’s status as a design nation that is not only characterized by well-known furniture and industrial products but which is permeated by design thinking throughout – from urban spaces and infrastructure to systems, services and functional, aesthetic products. The selection of participating partners reflects this broad vision of design, and the main exhibition is structured around ten themes that showcase Denmark as a design nation from a range of different angles.
“The purpose of going to the Hong Kong Business of Design Week is to secure a future, sustainable platform that Danish designers, architects and companies can use as a basis for successful business ventures in China and South East Asia. We have tailor- made an ambitious program that presents multiple facets of Denmark as a creative nation. Among other things, visitors will be able to see the INDEX: Award 2011 Exhibition, which presents the nominated design products and solutions from 2011. The exhibition Copenhagen Solutions focuses on creating a green growth society as an integrated part of the main exhibition, Design Society Denmark, which showcases selected design solutions from Danish society. Finally, the Danish partnership will have a strong presence in downtown Hong Kong with the establishment of The World’s Greatest Catwalk,” says Nille Juul-Sørensen, CEO of the Danish Design Centre.
In cooperation with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Design Centre is the main organizer of Hong Kong
Business of Design Week. The steering committee behind the Danish partnership consists of key actors in Danish design, fashion and architecture. The Danish Design Centre is the overall project manager of the partnership. In addition, there are eleven partners, all integrated into the main exhibition: Bang & Olufsen, Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers, Carl Hansen & Søn, Republic of Fritz Hansen, Georg Jensen, Lange Production, LEGO, Lightyears, PANDORA, Lindberg and SKAGEN Denmark.
Official Denmark supports the Danish contribution. Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince Couple, Minister of Culture Uffe Elbæk, business leaders, designers and architects take part in the official opening on 6 December 2012 and in selected events over the following days.
For additional information, please contact:
Danish Design Centre:
Christina Melander, project manager, cme@ddc.dk, tel. +45 2646 2922
Iben Højer Hansen, project manager, ihh@ddc.dk, tel. +45 2811 4589
Bo Dybkær, head of communications, bdy@ddc.dk, tel. +45 5190 2082
INDEX:
Adam von Haffner Paulsen, news director,
ap@designtoimprovelife.dk, tel. +45 2613 2122
Danish Fashion Institute:
Cecilie Thorsmark, communications manager,
cecilie@danishfashioninstitute.dk, tel. +45 2625 2001
Danish Architecture Centre (Copenhagen Solutions):
Line Juul Greisen, press officer, ljg@dac.dk, tel. +45 2213 2470
Participating partners:
Bang & Olufsen
Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers
Carl Hansen & Søn
Georg Jensen
Lange Production
LEGO
Lightyears
Lindberg
PANDORA
Republic of Fritz Hansen
SKAGEN Denmark
Participants under the Danish Design Association’s export promotion campaign:
Designit
Rosan Bosch
schmidt/hammer/lassen
Seidenfaden Design
Lassen
Prevas
Innonet Lifestyle – Interior & Clothing
Further, a wide range of additional Danish design brands are represented as part of the main exhibition.
Themes that have guided the content of the main exhibition:
Home Quality
Intelligent Beauty
Urban Innovation
Design Partners and Creators
Democratic Fashion
Stylish Options for Urban Mobility
Sustainability
Designing for Energy Efficiency
Ambitious Welfare Solutions
Always More Than Icons
The Danish participation in Hong Kong Business of Design Week is funded by the Ministry of Business & Growth, Denmark, the Consortium for Design and Architecture and the participating partners.