This year at interior design trend show imm cologne, January 18-23, the Italian brands will be one of the biggest groups of exhibitors.

More than 60 firms will be exhibiting including MDF Italia, Kartell, Potocco, Bonaldo, Zeus Noto, Bensen, Softline, Matteograssi, Riva, Minotti, Flexform, La Palma, Cassina, Cappellini, Poltrona Frau, Marac, Fiam, Porada, Cierre, and Tonon.

The trends from Italy include will be evident in the "hyper-realistic" setting of a lifelike house—at Poltrona Frau, Cassina and Cappellini shared exhibit. Cassina will be presenting "Authentic Wood"—four new products for the "Cassina I Maestri" Collection by Le Corbusier.

The current preference is for soft and warm shades with bright splashes of colour for accentuation, in cobalt blue for instance. The shapes are clear but slightly rounded.

"The presentation will focus on the current challenge of translating big, classic pieces into human dimensions for urban rooms—of creating beautiful, comfortable products in the right size out of exquisite materials and with a passion for detail," says Giulio Cappellini, architect and art director of Poltrona Frau and Cappellini.

The Italian exhibitors are looking forward to the fair optimistically and expecting it to provide some strong impetus for their international business. "For us, Germany isn't just a priority market, it's also the most important gateway to the states of Eastern Europe. We believe it's crucial to be represented at the respected trade fairs in Germany, like the imm cologne," says Dr. Claudio Luti, CEO of Kartell.

Matteo Galimberti, head of communications and marketing at Flexform, agrees: "The imm cologne - as in the past - will give our firm definite advantages and encourage further growth on the German market."

According to fair officials, the upswing in performance of the German market is drawing illustrious Italian names to the Rhine in larger numbers.

MDF Italia is counting on the attraction of the German market, as Lucia Legè from the company's press office explains: "Because of its relevance throughout Europe, the imm cologne will be the premiere for MDF Italia's new top products. Expectations of this event are very high, especially because it's aimed at a market that's setting itself apart from the others with a strong upswing."

Even though the underlying economic conditions speak for the Cologne location, they were by no means the only decisive argument for many exhibitors, says CEO of Koelnmesse Gerald Böse. "We visited a great many companies over the last year so that we could tailor our offering to their needs in face-to-face talks. That proved very worthwhile, and we can look forward to an imm cologne with a great many interesting design brands and compelling product innovations."