A significantly improved economic outlook has brought positive mood and great satisfaction to visitors at this year's Ambiente International Frankfurt Fair. From 11 to 15 February, around 141,500 trade visitors from 136 countries took advantage of the important event to find out and order the latest products. More than 4,600 exhibitors from 90 nations presented an impressive array of innovations and concepts to the international trade.

Dining - World of Table, Kitchen & Houseware
'Dining' is the biggest of the three leading international fairs held under Ambiente. This year, 'Dining' has attracted 2145 exhibitors, among which 409 were from Germany and 1736 were from abroad. The most important development this year was the remarkable growth in small electrical appliance sector. Following a test run in 2004, this product segment is now an established part of Ambiente. Indeed, it is the first time in six years for this sector to participate in a leading German fair.

Visitors of Ambiente are highly cosmopolitan in nature. 38 percent of all visitors came from outside Germany. The top five foreign-visitor nations were Italy, the USA, Great Britain, Spain and France. Particular growth was recorded from the South European nations, Russia and the Gulf States, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Ambiente is a vital platform which showcases product trend for the new season. At this year's fair, tableware and glassware are rich in intense colours, such as green, blue, orange and yellow. Manual techniques are adopted to bring colour to the glass. Black and white contrast in combination with red are favoured by interior accessories in particular. Asian elements are also incorporated in the design or in the form of decorative lettering.

The concept of fusing outdoor and indoor is proving to be a general trend. Glass and ceramic segments bring nature into home. Knives, scissors and cutlery sector offers ingenious utensils for the outdoor segments. Cutlery is distinctly organic in form and pleasingly tactile in appearance. Innovative handle designs of table knives have also led to improved ergonomics and new materials to greater sharpness.

New coatings on pots and pans make cooking easier. The use of space age materials for pan coatings enables cooks to use metallic kitchen utensils. Kitchen utensils pick up on the basic colours of the tabletop segment with silicone still a popular material.

Giving - World of Gifts Unlimited
This year's Giving - the World of Gifts Unlimited - was divided into five segments, 'Gifts Unlimited', 'Manufakturen & Collectables', 'Young & Trendy', 'Carat' and 'Passage Gift', whereby 'Gifts Unlimited and 'Young & Trendy' attracted the most Ambiente visitors.

Green, currently a trend colour, radiates confidence at Ambiente. It glows brightly on everything from candles and cushions to vases and transparent decorating fabrics. The popularity of green colour also indicates that product designs are going back to nature. Classic design school principles and the trend for high-class products is a second focal point. The third most important theme goes for a wild, riotous, vivid mix of colour, form and material with a retro style of the seventies.

Current trend indicators of festive decorations point towards warm colours with strong red and orange accents for glass balls and Christmas goods. The Carat segment sets trendy accents in the form of colourful jewellery. Aquamarine and other varieties of beryl have become the focus of attention, same for delicately engraved jade from China and Burma. Wrist watches are exploiting the growing trend towards sporty models.

Living - World of Interiors
Brand concepts, top quality and unmistakable styling are keywords in Living - World of Interiors. The focus of dealer interest at Ambiente was premium products, design and lifestyle with the search of more international top brands. 'Loft', the designer hall of the world's leading fair for 'Living', was a veritable magnet for trade visitors. At 'Talents' in the Loft exhibition hall, younger generation of designers showcased their innovative designs and high-concept products for home, tabletop and kitchen, together with fashion accessories.

The new Outdoor Living product segment recorded a high visitor turnover. Top quality furniture for the garden and beach, outdoor lighting, barbecues and furnishing accessories were in great demand.

Trends in Living are driving towards glamour and opulence at a high design level, characterized by voluminous candles, candlesticks, vases, planters, etc. Emotion and tradition was another theme determined. Textiles featuring historic prints and patterns, evocative of childhood and a variety of flower sketches celebrate a renaissance. Contemporary interpretation of tradition highlights a social need for security and trust. The use of natural materials and techniques to imply the 'handmade' quality of products is also an important feature in medium-priced segment. High-end exhibitors also realise that consumers value 'craftsmanship' and embellishment. The need for products with soul, produced in limited editions, as if custom-made for the purchaser, supports the middle classes and above all, manufacturing companies.

Hong Kong Design Pavilion
Set up for the first time, Hong Kong Design Pavilion showcased a wide array of exciting products created by talented Hong Kong designers. The pavilion is located at the Passage Home section in Hall 1.2. Designs ranged from elegant, brushed stainless steel and wood accessories for the home and office and trendy, coloured plastic giftware to toys and mobile telephones. The aim of this collective fair presence is to demonstrate to the European market the quality and longevity of design originating from Hong Kong. Participating companies included Semk Products Limited, Unisia Manufactory, Visual Gram Limited, Le Chino Limited, Power View Industrial Limited, Toy's Yard Limited, COG Limited, etc. The Hong Kong Design Pavilion was organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The next Ambiente in Frankfurt will be held from 10 to 14 February 2006.