Milan Design Week and Salone Del Mobile have played a huge part in my work and life for over a decade. To that end, it’s difficult to express just what it was like to be back in one of my absolute favourite places in the world during what would have to be the city’s absolute prime—all after a pandemic-induced three-year hiatus.
Like most global events, Salone was cancelled in 2020, and in 2021 it took place in September with a much smaller edition. It was once again postponed earlier this year from its usual April timeline, however, it finally went ahead in June with much anticipation and a huge sense of hope surrounding the event.
With so much global uncertainty, many visitors (and some of the participants too) made a fairly last-minute decision to attend, but despite all this, the show was back with an absolute bang—maybe not quite in full force, but perhaps in some way stronger than ever. While during the previous years there was a real sense the overall event (and its attendance) were growing year on year, bringing with it a huge sense of overwhelm and burnout, none of those feelings were felt in the air this year. This is partially because there was a bit less to see and do—although, let’s face it, both Salone (the furniture fair) and Milan Design Week (or Fuorisalone as the Italians call it—countless smaller events that occur all around the city) are so mega, even if they were to halve in scale, there would still be plenty to see and do for solid two weeks. Or something like that.
Also, never before has the proverb “absence makes the heart grow fonder” been truer than this year. Being able to catch up with friends old and new, touch and experience products in person, and soak up the general Milan-ness—my, oh my—all of this was pure joy. Through a greater appreciation for personal connection and a healthy dose of gratitude from everyone, Milan delivered not just beauty and inspiration, but also a greater sense of wellbeing, healing and care—a much-needed respite from a solemn backdrop of the past two and a half years for us all.
Today I would like to share with you Part 01 of our visual diary from Milan, with amazing photographs by Nick capturing our travels through the city. Today we will visit Alcova—where we spoke to Joseph Grima, one of the precinct’s co-founders; then to Rossana Orlandi where we chatted with the lovely Bethan Gray, and where we caught the gorgeous show by Draga & Aurel and a handful of brilliant emerging designers; then a stop at See The Stars Again by Flos, an installation designed by Calvi Brambilla that unveiled a bunch of new products, including the 60th anniversary celebration of Arco; then our visit to Hannes Peer’s studio, which was so good, we went there twice during the week (I know, wild!); we then spoke to the wonderful and prolific Luca Nichetto; the gloriously talented , humble and utterly gorgeous Cristina Celestino; a very special private preview of Hermès where I had the enormous pleasure of interviewing Charlotte Macaux Perelman and Alexis Fabry, artistic directors of Hermès Maison; the always inspiring visits to Solferino 11 with a whole array of showrooms like Salvatori, Dimore and H+O Gallery exist permanently, plus this year a special exhibition of works by Lucia Eames, presented by her own children; then off to the cultural zeitgeist shrine that’s Spazio Maiocchi for Cinema Tacchini and Toogood’s collaboration with Carhartt; then to the gorgeous Palazzo Litta for Doppia Firma; a theatrical preview of Lasvit’s new collections; Louis Vuitton’s Objet Nomades at Garage Traversi; and finally Boffi De Padova showroom to see the new collections, among them a collaboration with Paul Smith. Phew! And that’s just less than two of our five days.
Stay tuned for Part 02 of our photo diary, followed by a Part 03 article that will fill in the blanks by sharing some of the product launch highlights too.
Baci, Mama Yellowtrace X
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ALCOVA 22
Lambert & Fils and DWA Design Studio, in collaboration with Superflower at Alcova. See more .
Set in a historical indoor-outdoor temple of Alcova, Lambert & Fils and DWA Design Studio presented an eight-day aperitivo garden in collaboration with Superflower. In this setting, Lambert & Fils unveiled their latest lighting collection, Silo. See more .
Arresting onyx portal and marble rotating cabinet by OMA for Solid Nature’s Monumental Wonders.
Onyx bathroom sculpture by Sabine Marcelis for Soild Nature.
Offcut Bar featured brands like And Light, Solid Nature, Zeitraum, and custom tables designed by Space Caviar.
Air Supply installation of inflatable products by industrial design students from Muthesius University in Kiel, Germany.
A sweet installation by R+D.LAB.
The unveiling of the Forite tiles designed by Studio Plastique & Snøhetta for Fornace Brioni. See more .
Left: Furniture collection by Adrian Cruz & Sandro Giulianelli. Right: Modular light by Objects of Common Interest.
TABLEAU and Post Service ‘Confessions’ exhibition was an exploration of men’s mental health.
Joseph Grima, the founder of Space Caviar, is also a co-founder of Alcova alongside Valentina Ciuffi. Look forward to revealing more at our Milantrace talks.
Left: Platforms for Humans and Birds by Studio Ossidiana. Right: Concrete objects by Japanese studio AtMa.
Installation by The House of Lyria.
Left: Collaborative ceramic sculptures by Giovanni de Francesco and Marta Pierobon. Right. Table by Refractory.
Left: Hairy lamp goodness by Llot Llov. Right: Arresting installation by Colin King for Beni Rugs.
Left: Otherside Objects. Right: This is America, curated by Aditions + Hello Human.
ROSSANA ORLANDI GALLERY
In The Mood for the Seventies by Draga & Aurel.
Swoonyworthy cabinet at Rossana Orlandi (I’m afraid I don’t recall who the designer was—please let me know if you do?
The lovely Bethan Gray at the unveiling of her Inky Dhow Collection.
The pattern action at Bethan Gray’s installation was a bit of out control—note how my skirt matches the collection, while Luka’s bag reference’s Bethan’s dress. Instant besties.| The article appeared first on . |