A SHOW OF INNOVATION

From inspiring installations to practical solutions, here are the top picks from this year’s edition of Design Shanghai, which was held in March at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre

1 CLOUDS, KVADRAT

French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec created Clouds, a site-specific installation for Danish textile brand Kvadrat at Design Shanghai. The Kvadrat fabric tiles interlock to create a unique three-dimensional effect—these tiles were used creatively along the exhibition’s hallways, on the walls, and at corners of the ceiling. kvadrat.dk

2 THE LAKE , ROBAM INSTALLATION

In the Kitchen and Bathroom halls, guests were treated to this stunning installation that seduces the senses. An ethereal environment invited visitors to discover nature-inspired designs alongside high-tech kitchen appliances. Delicate nets that suggested foliage and twisting vines enveloped the all-white-room, while woven nestlike lights floated from above. robamglobal.com

3 ZAHA HADID DESIGN

The late architect’s firm presented a stunning range of Zaha Hadid’s product designs, where fluid lines and subtle organic geometry stole the show—including the liquid glacial table and stools developed in collaboration with David Gill Gallery, the Fontana crystal bowl for Lalique and the Play seats, which can function in virtually infinite configurations. New products such as The Field of Towers chess set, the Serenity Bowl and the Design Braid vase were also on display at the fair. zaha-hadid-design.com

4 FRANK CHOU DESIGN STUDIO

Founded in 2012, Frank Chou Design Studio has become one of the most prominent independent studios in China. Under the leadership of founder Frank Chou, the studio brings a unique perspective to aesthetic differences between the East and West, while conveying a sense of modern Chinese design. Neat industrial-chic is the motif that runs throughout Frank Chou’s newest collection, which features a metal and fabric chair, a side table and a single sofa. The sharp metal contours of these pieces were paired beautifully with soft, sensual curves. frankchou.com

5 SELETTI

This irreverent Italian design brand brought its unmistakable joie de vivre to the Exhibition Centre. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Seletti presented the full range of its Estetico Quotidiano collection, as well as its best-selling pieces. Highlights included the I-wares tableware collection, with its precious golden details; the Hybrid collection by Ctrlzak, a new rugs range designed by Studio Job; and of homewares designed in collaboration with Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari. seletti.it