Italian Lounge Returns to CIFF Shanghai 2026 with 14 Brands and a Lifestyle Focus
The 58th CIFF Shanghai took place from September 5 to 8, 2026, at the National Exhibition & Convention Center in Hongqiao. This event included the fourth Italian Lounge, curated by Edimotion, which highlighted 14 Italian brands such as Arflex, Bialetti, and Smeg, centered around the theme "Meet. Exchange. Connect." This year’s emphasis broadened to encompass Italian lifestyle through La Costruzione del Gusto, focusing on table culture and cuisine. The design was crafted by Davide Pavanello Lab, with artistic direction from Vudafieri Saverino Partners. Notable keynote speaker was Stefania Mortelliti, the Italian Vice Consul. The program featured discussions with Covema, Natuzzi, and Smeg, with plans for the Italian Lounge to return in September 2027.
Key facts
- CIFF Shanghai 2026 was the 58th edition of the fair, held 5–8 September at the National Exhibition & Convention Center in Hongqiao.
- The Italian Lounge, conceived and organized by Edimotion, reached its fourth edition at the fair.
- Fourteen Italian brands participated: Arflex, Bertone Design, Bialetti, Covema Group, ErreLab, Foscarini, Laminam, Natuzzi, Oikos, Oluce, Seletti, Smeg, Tabu and Zafferano.
- The Lounge's motto is "Meet. Exchange. Connect."
- La Costruzione del Gusto contributed table culture, tableware, food and wine, with brands including Domori and Campari.
- Davide Pavanello Lab conceived the space; Vudafieri Saverino Partners handled art direction from offices in Milan and Shanghai.
- Francesco Scullica coordinated the cultural program under the patronage of the Politecnico di Milano School of Design.
- The opening featured Italian Vice Consul in Shanghai Stefania Mortelliti and Wu Yidong, Deputy Manager of CIFF Shanghai 2026.
- Programming included "A Coffee with…" sessions with Covema, Natuzzi and Smeg, an "Aperitivo with… Laminam" at the Laminam showroom, the IDEAS4WOOD contest by Tabu, and the "Around the Table(s)" cocktail.
- The Italian Lounge will return in September 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Mario Alessiani
- Davide Pavanello
- Francesco Scullica
- Stefania Mortelliti
- Wu Yidong
Institutions
- CIFF Shanghai
- Edimotion
- Arflex
- Bertone Design
- Bialetti
- Covema Group
- ErreLab
- Foscarini
- Laminam
- Natuzzi
- Oikos
- Oluce
- Seletti
- Smeg
- Tabu
- Zafferano
- La Costruzione del Gusto
- Domori
- Campari
- Davide Pavanello Lab
- Vudafieri Saverino Partners
- Politecnico di Milano School of Design
- IDEAS4WOOD
- Hoochrea
- Hoosh
- DesignWanted
- Umbra
- Fabbian
- Axolight
- University of Camerino
- IED Rome
- Sichuan Normal University
- ADI Design Museum
- Eindhoven Design Week
- Milan Design Week
- IF Design Award
- Archiproducts Design Award
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- Hongqiao
- Milan
- Italy
- Rome
- Camerino
- Eindhoven