Ecostyle, the fair for sustainable consumer goods, focuses this year on the social design

More and more consumers are attracted to products made in accordance with ecological and social criteria. Accordingly, this year's Ecostyle trade fair will once again give the retail trade the chance to discover the latest trends in this field and place orders for certified sustainable lifestyle products.

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Parallel to the Tendence consumer-goods fair from 29 August to 1 September 2015, Ecostyle exhibitors will present products that meet high ecological, design and functionality standards. However, the social aspects of production are also considered during the exhibitor-selection process: “This year, we are emphasising the subject of ‘social design’ and taking greater account than ever before of the experience of organisations and associations already active in the market and giving workshops for the disabled the chance to exhibit at Ecostyle in a special area. The same applies to exhibitors from developing countries, which we will be spotlighting at this year's fair”, says Nicolette Naumann, Vice President Ambiente/Tendence.

This year, CBI - Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries - will present new home and fashion accessories from Africa and Asia at Ecostyle. Commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the organisation helps small to medium-sized producers from developing countries export their products to international markets. “At Ecostyle, buyers looking for ethically sourced products from new suppliers, will have the chance to get a sneak-preview of a selection of products from over 100 companies in the current CBI programmes. CBI is also partnering with Messe Frankfurt to give more prominence to sustainable and ethical design and trade in its key trade fairs for the sector”, says CBI sector expert Mark Kwami. The producers who will be using the CBI area at Ecostyle to present their latest collections come from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mongolia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Vietnam.

Mark Kwami

In the immediate vicinity will be a variety of workshops for the disabled, the products of which are not only ‘trendy and sustainable’ but have also been made in accordance with ethical principles. “From the many inquiries received, it is evident that well-made workshop products are in. Now, we can show our collection to national and international trade visitors. For us as newcomers, Ecostyle is the ideal platform for reaching an audience of experts”, says Petra Rohierse, Marketing & Sales of the Caritas Wendelstein Werkstätten workshops for the disabled.

From the ‘Emily’ doll's pram to a trendy maple tray with non-slip surface, the products of Caritas Werkstätten Wendelstein are made with a great attention to detail. The workshops, which provide employment for around 600 people with disabilities, attach great importance to ecological compatibility. At the same time, the products stand for creative design in keeping with the times and tried and tested functions.

The accessories handcrafted by ‘Die Mürwiker’ workers in their ‘Nordern Art’ workshop are made entirely of natural wool felt. The trend-oriented product range stretches from fashionable felt bags, mobile-phone cases and spectacle cases, via oven gloves, coasters and cushions, to an assortment of fruit made of brightly coloured felt. All products are made by people with disabilities or impediments - fully in line with the ‘social design’ concept.

The products of the ‘Reha Werkstätten’ rehabilitation workshops of the ‘Frankfurter Verein’ charitable organisation are also holistic, ecological and well thought-out. In addition to well-made and designed wooden furniture, the workshops produce a variety of high-grade culinary products in their ‘Manufactory for Good Apple Based Products’. The workers not only harvest the apples themselves but also sort and ferment them. Moreover, every bottle is filled and labelled by hand. The result: cider, apple-cherry juice, apple-quince vinegar, apple sherry and many other Bioland-certified products from the region.

‘Blumenfisch’ (Floral Fish) is the label under which the ‘VIA Werkstätten’ workshops offer their creative gifts and small pieces of furniture in the heart of Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg district. The ‘Floral Fish’ makers will be coming to Frankfurt am Main for Ecostyle to present their original products. In addition to the steel and beech ‘Dream Rider’ bedside table, they include hat stands made of oak, steel and leather and creative papier-mâché lamp shades.

Ecostyle Talents

Ecostyle also supports young designers and there will once again be an area for responsible products designed by up-and-coming designers at the trade fair - the ‘Ecostyle Talents’.

Information & images by courtesy of Messe Frankfurt Exhbition GmbH

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