IHGF Delhi Fair celebrates its 50th edition

Among a host of new features, the fair’s second virtual edition offers visitors in-real-time (IRT) appointments with home décor exhibitors

Expanded business hours, twenty-five virtual halls, 3,000 exhibitors, themed pavilions, trend forecasts, plus live presentations, webinars and discussions are some of the highlights of the Autumn 2020 edition of IHGF Fair 4-9 November. The Fair may be virtual but its hub is the historic Indian city of Delhi. International buyers to the Fair will still experience an exciting local vibe while they discover a wide-range of handmade ’Made in India’ products for the home including handwoven and hand-knotted carpets and rugs. 

Organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts India (EPCHI)—India’s premier export promotion organisation—IHGF is held twice yearly and is one of Asia’s largest fairs in both physical size and attendee numbers. Recognised as the most distinctive and relevant global sourcing platform for the home, the global pandemic resulted in IHGF’s debut as a virtual fair in July 2020. The new format attracted thousands of international buyers from more than 100 countries. The success of IHGF’s inaugural virtual format allowed the organisers to create new features like in real time (IRT) appointments with exhibitors while it fine-tuned existing features to ensure each visitor enjoys a positive and productive Fair experience. 

The November fair includes widely anticipated craft demonstrations from makers recognised for their excellence by National and State awards. International interest in craft and handmade objects has exploded in recent years to the point where luxury brands and couture fashion houses have scrambled to show their support for unique craft handmade by global artisans. But IHGF doesn’t need to play catch-up; the Fair has championed the diverse craft and craftspeople of India since its founding in 1994 which is why attendance from global buyers continues to increase exponentially.

COVER reached out to Paula Queen, founder and chief designer of Chicago-based home accents brand Pyar & Co to discover how IHGF draws her back again and again as a buyer. ‘My brand was born out of love—literally—because I created Pyar & Co the year after marrying my husband who’s a native of India. Pyar means love in Hindi, so what better word to use for the company name? IHGF represents love for me too because it represents the positive intent and effort behind designs in India, along with the purity of making things and space for customisation and amendments. I totally love IHGF!’

A distinctive business platform for a wide range of Indian design and for companies from small to large, IHGF Delhi is a not-to-be-missed one-stop sourcing event. Register to attend IHGF Delhi Fair.