Number 1 destination for buyers in the know sourcing the fabulous
The much-acclaimed destination for buyers searching for one-off pieces this June will be the Olympia International Fine Art & Antiques Fair, which celebrates its 40th year. Influential trend-setters and buyers in the know attend the fair for inspiration and to create the zeitgeist look: a mixture of eclectic and high calibre pieces – both antique and contemporary – to be found at the fair. London’s most established art and antiques fair will take place from Thursday 7th to Sunday 17th June, 2012.
The fair attracts over 30,000 collectors and enthusiasts including Stella McCartney, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, up-and-coming designer Ethan Koh, Suzy Menkes, Mick Jagger, Kanye West, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Ferry, Oprah Winfrey, Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, Nina Campbell, Jasper Conran, Sir Peter Blake, Sir David Tang, the Mittals and the Hiltons.
New exhibitors this year include, amongst others, interior designer and socialite Nicky Haslam, Anthony Outred, 20th century design guru Gordon Watson, Lennox Cato and tribal art specialist Clive Loveless.
“Olympia is the apogee of exhibitions, for it embraces all aspects and epochs in the interior design business. This is the first season we are showing, and delighted to be associated with a very exciting and eclectic group of exhibitors.” Nicholas Haslam
The fair comprises 180 specialist dealers who will source and keep their best pieces especially for this annual event. This makes it an important international trading place for the art and antiques world as well as a good place for the savvy shopper to pick up individual pieces of exceptional value. The array of stock for sale ranges from traditional and decorative furniture to contemporary art and design as well as: 20th century furniture and design, paintings and watercolours, silver, jewellery, textiles, ceramics, kitchenalia, lighting, carpets, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernism, clocks, tribal art, sculpture, fossils, mirrors and natural history.
Shoppers relish sourcing strong statement pieces such as the iconic ‘Love’ by Robert Indiana 1966-1999, on sale through Barcelona gallery, Mayoral Galeria D’Art to sit alongside a much sought-after18th century oak table. Antique Ikat textiles can be bought to hang next to the 1st Duke of Cambridge’s mirror (1774-
1850) set amongst contemporary furniture by British designer, Paul Belvoir. For those in need of some sparkle, there are over one million diamonds on sale through the jewellery dealers including vintage pieces by Cartier, Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels.
With prices ranging from £100 to £1million the fair accommodates every level of buyer. Both first- time and seasoned collectors can be reassured by the knowledge that every single piece has been checked by a 100-strong team of trade experts, who ‘vet’ the show before it opens to ensure it is genuine and of good quality.
There will be a programme of tours, events and lectures suitable for both first-time visitors and regular attendees.