design shanghai returns as asia’s leading international design show

DESIGN SHANGHAI CELEBRATES THE GLOBAL ASCENT OF ASIAN CRAFT

From March 19-22, 2026, Design Shanghai hosts over 500 brands from 20 countries, serving as a powerful catalyst for elevating local talent onto the global stage. The 13th edition of the fair returns to its original, historic venue to celebrate the rich craft heritage of East Asia. Beyond the main exhibition, visitors can expect an exploration of the industry through five distinctive special features. These curated zones tease a future where traditional artistry meets experimental innovation, offering a first look at collectible design and art that positions Chinese creativity at the forefront of the global design conversation.

banner: Liang Living Studio; above: Weaving Nature Installation by Hu Yuehua | all images courtesy of Design Shanghai

CHINA’S CITY OF DESIGN RECOGNIZED BY UNESCO

Design Shanghai continues to affirm its status as a premier international event, following a record attendance of 76,000 visitors in 2025. More than a decade strong, the fair remains a vital stage for both celebrated international brands and emerging independent designers to unveil new collections and gain worldwide recognition. Repeatedly recognized in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, Shanghai holds the distinction of being China’s only officially designated City of Design and is striving to establish a world-class design cluster by 2030.

Flow Light by JUNWANGSTUDIO X Ziyuan Jiang

EAST ASIA’S CENTURIES-OLD TRADITIONS INFORM CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

The 2026 edition deepens its focus on China’s evolving design identity through several specialized programs. In the ‘Contemporary Furniture’ section, homegrown brands demonstrate how original Chinese design harmonizes cultural depth with contemporary aesthetic clarity, rooting their work in local craftsmanship while engaging in an outward-looking global dialogue. This evolution of heritage is further explored in ‘Beyond Craft,’ an initiative launched in 2024 that highlights how traditional techniques — ranging from jewelry to precision components — can thrive within today’s modern design landscape.

Biocement Chair by Friedrich Gerlach

The fair also serves as a mentor to the next generation through ‘TALENTS,’ a flagship exhibition for designers under 35. Curated by Frank Chou under the theme ‘About Time,’ the program treats chronology as a design material, encouraging cultural reflection on how design records its era. Complementing this is ‘Made in JDZ,’ curated by Ryan Ran, which reimagines the historic heritage of Jingdezhen through the theme ‘Craft Without Borders.’ By moving ceramics and lacquer art beyond the exhibition hall and into everyday life, the feature reflects the ongoing revival of craft within contemporary youth culture. Finally, the ‘Collectible Design & Art’ feature bridges the gap between makers and galleries, presenting limited-edition works that celebrate the most expressive intersections of art and craftsmanship.

NEARBY ceramic art studio for Made in JDZ