By Claire Reilly
Every year, the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) trade show in Berlin brings together the biggest brands showing off the latest and greatest in appliances and consumer electronics. And every year, in the lead up to the week-long expo, the show’s icon and spokesmodel Miss IFA previews the biggest trends and products that will be making waves at the show that year.
Decked out in her trademark red pantsuit and wig, Miss IFA may seem somewhat strange to Australian readers, but she is one of the biggest elements of the Internationale Funkausstellung show; a visit from Miss IFA to a brand’s stand is a big honour within the world of the German show, and one that is normally accompanied by plenty of press fanfare.
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Last year, the hype of the IFA product preview was surrounding products such as capsule coffee machines, large-screen TVs and coloured appliances, all huge trends that have shaped the industry locally and abroad over the last 12 months.
This year, Miss IFA posed with the products that are shaping up to be big sellers in retail stores worldwide. Here at Current.com.au, we’ve chosen our favourites to give retailers an idea of the products that will be popular in their stores over the coming months, as well as the weird and wonderful products that could only ever be big in Europe.
If nothing else, let it be a lesson in how to creatively pose with appliances.
Recently released in Australia, the Dyson DC44 Animal will be on show this year as well as new products from the brand that are set to be launched in late August.
Coloured whitegoods were huge at last year's show; here, Miss IFA poses with a washer and dryer from Slovenian brand Gorenje.
Another big trend that is gaining steam after last year's show is the funky fridge fascia. Liebherr once again proves it has style covered in the kitchen.
For those that are after a more traditional colour, Miss IFA proves there is plenty to love about Samsung's 8kg front loader washing machine.
Personal care is a huge category at IFA in terms of innovation, with brands such as Remington adding keratin therapy to their hair care products.
Still one of the largest categories in the appliance space, coffee machines had a huge presence at IFA last year. Here, the Krups fully automatic coffee machine, distributed in Europe by Groupe SEB.
While not necessarily a glamorous category in and of itself, garment care brands use the show to create a psychological connection between high fashion garments and quality irons. Here, Miss IFA gets tough with Rowenta steam.
Slowly gaining traction in the local market, Ultra High Definition TV will once again be big news at IFA 2013. Sony is committing to the new technology with its '4K' TV offering.
No longer just for TVs, Panasonic has brought an Ultra HD display to the 20-inch tablet form factor.
In the audio space, it continues to be all about form factor. Perhaps Philips has taken design inspiration from the Anglerfish with its Fidelio speakers.
Miss IFA reclines after a particularly long day in front of Samsung's 55-inch LED TV.