On March 25th 2014, the Sino-European design exchange Center opened to a new historical chapter. With the support of UNESCO Creative City (Shanghai) Promotion Office, Shanghai & Florence Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center Florence Base operated by DOBE was inaugurated.
In the morning Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Li Xi, Florence Mayor Dario Nardella and Chief of Chinese Embassy in Florence Ji Gang unveiled the nameplate, which indicates that Chinese design enterprises’ overseas development will enter a new phase of deep communication.
Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Li Xi announced that the Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center started a new model for the cooperation and communication between Shanghai and Florence in the creative design industry; the project shall boost a deep exchange between Shanghai and Florence, China and Italy in those fields such as design, culture and business.
Li Xi expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, claiming Renzi is a politician with strategic insight and courage; he brought a lot of contributions to the Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center while being Mayor of Florence, and still pays attention to the progress of the project after his new office as Prime Minister.
Director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Casermatization and Director of UNESCO Creative City (Shanghai) Promotion Office, Li Yaoxin said Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center is an important part of the internationalization strategy for Shanghai Design; as the first station for Chinese creative force’s overseas development, it is playing and will play an important role in order to enhance Shanghai’s creative design ability and carry out the Sino-Italian cooperation and exchange.
New Chapters for Sino-Italian Exchange
Shanghai & Florence Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center was originated from the going abroad strategy for “Shanghai Design”. Under the guidance of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Casermatization, UNESCO Creative City (Shanghai) Promotion Office investigated various global resources to look for the most suitable partner. After investigating a number of major European cities, Florence was selected in the end.
As the place of origin of Renaissance, Florence is the cradle of arts and architectural design, with a number of historical buildings and museums gathering rich collections. In addition, Florence is one of the cradles of modern western fashion industry. Many world famous fashion brands’ headquarters are located in this city. More than 80 design and art colleges of various countries have campuses here.
As an economic, financial and fashion center in China, Shanghai is one of the cities where Chinese creative industry develops the fastest, strongest and most mature, offering a good basis for foreign cooperation.
In November 2012, UNESCO Creative City (Shanghai) Promotion Office and the Municipal Government of Florence signed an agreement in the City Hall of Florence, to officially start the constitution of Shanghai & Florence Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center. As a professional Chinese services supplier for cultural and creative sectors, DOBE Group was entrusted to take charge of the construction and operation of the Center.
Being one of the leading service provider in those industries, DOBE serves over 5000 enterprises in Shanghai. Meanwhile, DOBE will provide design companies with all-platform service to expand overseas.
The famous Villa Strozzi in Florence was selected as the site of the Center. Villa Strozzi was built more than 400 years ago by the second largest and richest family in Italy——the Strozzi family.
The renovation of the site was designed by the famous Italian architecture design firm –Studio Archea. Archea creatively proposed to blend the brand products of “Shanghai Design” into Italian design style. In Villa Strozzi, which is full of the appeal of Italian Renaissance, 80% exhibits are from local brand enterprises of Shanghai.
As a platform gathering the best of Chinese and Italian design enterprises, the base will become the most important site for Chinese and Italian design companies to come together and exchange flown of ideas. It also is the first-choice platform for Chinese design companies to go to Europe. The promotion of “Shanghai Design” and of the city Shanghai also is a major role and task of the Center.
Joined Enterprises
Carrying the expectations of Shanghai Government and Florence Government, Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center provides Chinese enterprises with overseas branding opportunities, industrial connection, executive classes, commercial services etc., and cooperates with outstanding Italian design resources and famous fashion firms to create exceptional products. At the same time, the Center promotes Chinese enterprises and products to the whole Europe, to pave the way for them to expand in Europe.
In addition, the Center cooperates with Polimoda Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing and Tongji University, to carry out trainings and international exchange for the companies members. The guidance of the world first-class fashion designers raises and accelerates the training of new designers, and cultivates a group of leading talents for the companies.
At the moment, 12 domestic organizations and enterprises have settled in Florence Base and they will work here.
Rich Activities Are Held One after Another
After the inauguration, all kinds of activities will be carried out in the Center. Responding to Chinese designers’ wish to study in Italy, the Center will cooperate with European top fashion school Polimoda Institute to open all kinds of customized classes for Chinese designers and fashion specialists. The classes will be taught by Polimoda Institute’s design masters with rich practical experience, and plan to train more than 350 students throughout the year.
In April, the Sino-Italian Architecture Exchange Exhibition and Florence Design Week will be held in the Center. In July it will be Pitti Uomo and in September the Shanghai “City of Design” Business Mission’s Business Forum will be held in the Center as well. In addition, the Center will organize Chinese enterprises to have business, study, investigation and technical trips in Italy regularly.
During the Annual Shanghai “City of Design” Week, a Sino-Italian Design Exchange Forum will be held. This large-scale forum will gather Chinese and Italian design elites to discuss in-depth cooperation together.
Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center will actively respond to the “going out and bringing back” spirit proposed by Shanghai Government, to set up two bases respectively in China and Italy. After the completion of Florence Base, the construction of Shanghai Base will be completed quickly. Italian fashion, art and design companies will be able to settle in Shanghai through the platform of Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center. Gradually they will start their business in China, and cooperate and exchange with related local companies with the Center’s support. In the same way, the Center will assist various century-old Italian family businesses with excellent workmanship and quality to meet the Chinese market.