Team Formex enters Stockholm city centre with exhibits, pop up-shop and an agenda packed with seminars

From August 17-22, parts of Formex, the Nordic region’s largest interior decorating and design fair, will move into the city centre and offer visitors free inspiration, networking and the opportunity to see some of the newest items that will be launched in the autumn, all in a restricted and safe environment at Volvo Studio in Stockholm. Unique for this edition is that the general public is being invited to take part.

From August 17-22, parts of Formex, the Nordic region’s largest interior decorating and design fair, will move into the city centre and offer visitors free inspiration, networking and the opportunity to see some of the newest items that will be launched in the autumn, all in a restricted and safe environment at Volvo Studio in Stockholm. For the first time in Formex’s history, the general public is being invited to take part. Following the government’s decision in March to limit public gatherings, Stockholmsmässan cancelled all spring fairs, while several of the fairs planned for the autumn were moved to a later date. For a long time, Stockholmsmässan battled, together with several other players in the industry, by lobbying politicians to have the fairs reclassified and treated in the same way as shopping malls, something that has taken place in Denmark, among other places. But in June, it became clear that Formex could not be carried out under the current restrictions.

“Formex is celebrating 60 years this year and we had of course intended to celebrate properly this August, but instead we have to think in new ways and adapt to the current situation. We know how important this fair is for the industry, Stockholm and Sweden, and are now taking the opportunity to move parts of Formex into the city centre where we will present some highlights from the fair’s regular programme. Formex is a trade fair for the industry but for the first time in the fair’s history we are going to open the doors to the design and interior decorating-interested public, which is even more fun,” says Lotta Ahlvar, concept and product owner for Formex.

Trend exhibit curated by stylist Tina Hellberg
Among other things, visitors will be able to take part in a trend exhibit based on the business intelligence that the Formex team itself produces for each fair. “This time the trends are interpreted through an exhibit curated by stylist Tina Hellberg based on the three trends: New now, Translucent and Dreamscape. When Corona arrived we were forced to do entirely new business intelligence that forms the basis for our trend spotting for this edition of Formex,” says Kajsa Falck Torlegård, operative event manager for Formex.

“We have identified two tendencies resulting from Corona and its various effects on people. There are those people who have become more extroverted and been quick to adapt and communicate effectively. The tendency for many others has been to slow down, stay home, bake bread and search for spirituality in some form – I would say a more introverted group. We have also seen several examples of art that has been digitalised and more opportunities for lesser-known artists to be seen. We have boiled this down to our trend analysis which the trend exhibition is based on,” concludes Lotta Ahlvar.

Bacteria and sustainable products derived from slaughterhouse residues in the Formex Nova exhibition
Every year, Formex awards the Formex Nova prize to a young Nordic design talent. This year the five nominated designers will be exhibiting at Volvo Studio. Among other things there will be design of perhaps the most forbidden now, namely bacteria, through the nominated Swedish designer Jan Klingler’s bacteria lamps. The Icelandic designer Valdís Steinarsdóttir focuses primarily on experimenting with materials through the recycling of organic material. The exhibition will display several products made from slaughterhouse residues. The Formex Nova winner will be announced on the evening of August 18.

National and international speakers in the Formex digital edition
Between August 18-21, Formex will offer a free, packed digital seminar programme on sustainability, brands and trends with renowned speakers from around the world. Among the trend speakers are London-based D-Cipher/FM’s director Christine Foden, who is recognised around the world for her sense of colour, form and design. Laurie Pressman, vice president, Pantone Color Institute, US, and Tony Bannister, founder and creative director of SCOUT Sydney, as well as Formex’s own Lotta Ahlvar, who in her presentation introduces us to three different concept worlds. On the important theme of sustainability inspiring talks will be held by, among others, Maria Soxbo, journalist and co-founder of the Climate Club, Shoka Åhrman, expert on behavioural economics, and Matthew Brown, trend expert and owner of Echochamber. On the subject of brands, PRV, the Swedish Patent and Registration Office, has gathered a number of players and experts within brands, design and copyright who provide tips and advice on everything from intellectual property to piracy.
To participate in the free seminar programmes, visit: https://lp.stockholmsmassan.se/formex-digitaledition-registration/

Pop up store with the latest in Scandinavian design
Just like at the regular Formex fair there will be a pop-up shop on location with curated content by the seasoned retailer Lisa Karlsson from Ume Projects who also runs the store. Visitors can, among other things, shop for the very latest in Scandinavian design. Address and opening hours The Formex city edition takes place at Volvo Studio Stockholm, located in Kungsträdgården, from 17-22 August. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Security measures will be taken to comply with the guidelines associated with reducing the spread of Covid-19. The number of visitors allowed in the premises is therefore limited.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 11am – 6pm, Saturday 11am – 5pm.
Address: Jussi Björlings allé 5, Stockholm

A press breakfast will be held on August 18 with Team Formex in Volvo Studio where the week’s activities will be presented. Space is limited and the invitation will come separately.

For more information, please contact:
Elin Lervik, press contact Stockholmsmässan, elin.lervik@stockholmsmassan.se, +46 (0)760 12 88 00