FIF returns for 2017

Image: Furnishing in Focus Image: Furnishing in Focus

A name synonymous with Australian design, Australia’s flagship furniture trade show Furnishing in Focus (FIF) is set to return in 2017. Championing Australian-made with its signature panache, FIF is a highlight of the Australian design calendar and a unique platform to celebrate the very best of Australian furniture and furnishings.  After an outstanding success in June 2016, the trade-only show will return to Melbourne in May 2017 to showcase Australian furniture manufacturers, together with Australia’s leading fabric and leather suppliers.

FIF takes a strong stance as a much-needed platform for Australian makers and designers, strictly prohibiting imported furniture from displaying at the event. Allowing Australian made furnishings to take centre-stage, this exhibition of home-grown furnishings and design is a dazzling showcase of Australian innovation, enterprise and talent, and has received a phenomenal response from the industry.

Image: Furnishing in Focus
Image: Furnishing in Focus

Indeed, the 2016 show was perhaps FIF’s strongest yet. Welcoming 600 exclusively trade-only visitors over two days, the show set a gold standard of excellence for furniture exhibitions across Australia. With its largest exhibition size to date, covering an impressive 6,000 square metres, Furnishing in Focus 2016 showcased an exceptional range of products from 65 Australian furniture makers and companies, including a variety of top manufacturers who had the opportunity to display exquisite natural Australian natural timber. The 2016 show also embraced the arrival of Australia’s leading fabric and leather suppliers such as Charles Parsons, James Dunlop, Mokum Textiles, Warwick Fabrics and Zepel, in a bold showcase of Australian furnishing textiles that will return in 2017.

Major supporter of FIF, the Australian Made Campaign are proud to be a part of the event, as Ian Harrison, Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive, explains; “the 2017 exhibition will continue to showcase the exceptional skills Australia’s furniture and furnishing manufacturers have to offer, increase visibility of the variety that is readily available, and demonstrate how much more flexible buying locally can be.” Encouraging exhibitors from all states, the 2017 show will continue to focus on highlighting all forms of Australian based furnishing products, including dining, case goods, metal furniture products, together with curtain and soft furnishing makers.

The show will also see the presentation of the Warwick Fabrics annual Vice Award. Established in 1993, the award honours individuals making major contributions to the Australian furniture industry. Previous winners include Lionel Berkowitz, Louis and Pat Ritossa and, most recently, Carol Arnold of Dankz Furniture, who received the award on behalf of the family business that has been furnishing Western Australian homes for almost 50 years.

Furnishing in Focus 2017 will return on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 May. Pre-registration is now open, find out more at furnishinginfocus.com