• Preview of the Kölner Passagen 2007
• The Ciba-Module Box at the Kolner Passagen
• Passagen Cologne Furniture Fair 2007
• Invitation to the XYMARA.com Passagen Interviews
• Ciba and XYMARA.com at the Passagen 2008
• The Passagen Interviews - Doty Horn of Color & Design
• Preview of Passagen and imm 2009
• Preview of imm Cologne, Passagen and Designers Fair 2010 - A winter week in Cologne
• Review of imm Cologne, Passagen and Designers Fair 2010 - Palettes and patterns

By Ania Dardas

One city where there is absolutely no room for the January blues is Cologne.  From January 14 to 20, 2008 the city is overrun with design of all descriptions, shapes and sizes. The two major events are the time-honored Passagen and International Furnishing Show (IMM).

For one week the streets of Cologne fill up with design professionals, enthusiasts and tourists who have come to worship at the feet of design gurus, discover the new rising stars and feast their eyes on the leading edge in design objects: furniture, interior design, jewelry and much more. This is where designers come to refresh their ideas and recharge their batteries.

For the 19^th time, Passagen will take place in a number of locations and areas: the twin magnets of the Belgisches Viertel (Belgian Quarter) and Spichern Höfe, the Möbelmeile (Furniture Mile) along the Ring, the Design Zone Ehrenfeld and Vulkangelände as well as the Design Post in Deutz and the Rheinauhafen. The biggest names in design will be there including: Jasper Morrison, Gaetano Pesce, Ingo Maurer, Marcel Wanders, Philippe Starck, Tom Dixon and Konstantin Grcic. And the local and nearby design institutions will also be taking part. There will be displays and shows throughout the week so it’s worth downloading a program as there is too much to be seen in just one week.

Ciba will show at the Passagen as well – look out for us at the Spichern Höfe! We’ll be there with our full range of exciting and innovative stylings and effects. Come experience our world of effects and emotions first hand!

For those specifically interested in furnishing, the International Furnishing Show will surpass all expectations. With around 1,300 exhibitors and more than 150 showrooms, nothing else is possible. Among the highlights are innovative lifestyle environments, living room and bedroom furniture, mattresses, carpets, textiles, lighting and accessories. There is the chance to pay a virtual visit to Italy in the Compasso d’Oro: 50 years of Italian design exhibition with models of old shops whose windows display beautiful icons of Italian design. On view are items by Alessi, B&B Italia, and Kartell as well as larger items such as the Fiat 500 designed by Giacosa in 1959.

Design Germany shows a cross-section of German design, both classic and current exhibited in a way that focuses on material, functionality or technology as a common linking factor. Dutch design will also be playing an important role in this year’s IMM not only in terms of exhibits but also in the d3 contest – an international design competition for young designers and d3 professionals and a forum for independent designers and studios.

It is impossible even just to sketch in the offering on view – take a few days, take a week – go to Cologne!