After a second successful year of 100% Design Shanghai and International Home Décor & Design, Reed Exhibitions is pleased to announce that Michael Young has been appointed as the Creative Director of 100% Design Shanghai / IHDD, which will take place from November 4 through 6, 2010 at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. Young will lead the creative direction of the design fair, working with the fair’s major sponsors and will be responsible for the overall look and feel of the exhibition space.
With landmark design exhibitions from London to Tokyo, 100% Design Shanghai was established in 2008 as the leading contemporary platform for interior furnishings in China, and prides itself on both commercial and critical innovation. Co-located with 100% Design Shanghai is International Home Décor & Design, an unique exhibition which brings together a comprehensive range of high-quality and premium brands and showcases high quality interior home decoration products and accessories.
“Michael brings fresh inspirations that will help renew the vision of 100% Design Shanghai and IHDD, and make it even more relevant for a larger design audience in China. Our previous creative directors took on a difficult challenge launching the fairs in China, and we are grateful for their groundbreaking work. We look forward to Michael bringing the shows to the next level,” said Preecha S. Chen, President of Reed Exhibitions Greater China. The first two editions of 100% Design Shanghai / IHDD were directed by the New York–based team of Tobias Wong and Aric Chen. “The first two years of the exhibition have been phenomenal in terms of anticipation and visitor turnout, and we are looking forward to Michael renewing our commitment to the Chinese market, as well as bring a sensibility that has made his office successful globally, and particularly in Asia.”
British-born and Hong Kong-based, Young is no stranger to 100% Design, having previously served as creative director of 100% Design Tokyo (2007-2008) and having participated in projects with 100% Design London. Moreover, Young is one of the leading product designers in the world, having designed products for brands including Magis, Cappellini and Established & Sons. Based in Asia for the last seven years, Young’s practice has enjoyed being on the forefront of a global contemporary design practice while being connected to the increasingly manufacturing hubs of industrial China. In 2009, Young began touring a show called “Works in China” and his appointment will further seek to bridge the contemporary design world and the exploding market in China, which surpassed the United States as the world’s second largest consumer of luxury goods.
“Having worked with 100% Design for over 10 years, I have come to understand its global dynamic from both the Japanese and British markets. Since setting up office in Asia, it has allowed me the opportunity to bring many things together and celebrate design as it should be,” said Young. “My objective this year is to create a powerful framework for the design industry, and bring like-minded artists, industrialists and brands together to show case skills to a developing retail market.”
The full scale of public programs and installations developed for 100% Design Shanghai and IHDD in 2010 will be announced in September 2010.