Milan Design Week 2022 - a round-up
Image credit: Salone del Mobile
Once again, Milan was the centre of creative attention for international audiences as the city’s usually annual design week celebrated its 60th anniversary. Alongside the familiar selection of peripheral events and key districts, there was plenty to whet the appetites of attendees and design aficionados.
Moved from its familiar April slot to the beginning of June, it was certainly a heated affair with regular breaks from the sun more necessary than usual, torrential downpours as well as the challenges of cancelled flights added to the mix.
However, there was a clear appetite for the event with over 2,175 brands and 262,608 visitors attending the 60th edition of the Salone del Mobile 2022, the furniture fair that anchors the week, alone.
Although down on 2019 numbers, the organisers seemed extremely pleased with attendance numbers. Despite the lack of Chinese brands and attendees due to ongoing lockdowns and with many Danish brands staying closer to home for 3Days of Design in Copenhagen, the event proved to be a huge success and we certainly felt the energy around the city.
You never get to see everything due to the vast array of districts and events but what were our highlights?
Alcova Design District
Alcova Design District
First on our list has to be the relatively new design district, Alcova, which although one of the furthest from the city centre was very much worth the trip.
Set in a disused military hospital, we weaved our way through a vast array of abandoned buildings now brought back to life with a wide-ranging selection of design inspiration.
Particular highlights included this installation from SolidNature which certainly gave us the “wow factor” and the Superflower installation with a table made of earth making an impressive centrepiece.
Tortona and SuperDesignShow
This area was the first on our list this year and in honesty, wasn’t quite as good as we’d hoped. Some notable installations included the Lexus car suspended cleverly in space and the giant IKEA ball pit which were popular draws if a little underwhelming overall. However, we loved the Preciosa light installation which was a real bonus. Cleverly suspended tubes that each played a unique sound were brought together like a giant, illuminated xylophone and we thought worked brilliantly in the space.
Preciosa in Tortona Design District
Brera Design District
A leading light (pun intended) in the design fair this year was the faultless Lee Broom whose Divine Inspiration took over a gallery space and became an ethereal, church-like installation housing his new collection. Room after room was filled with heady notes of frankincense and everything down to the flooring and furniture, was cleverly thought through whilst keeping the lighting at the centre of attention.
Just across the road, the stalwart of the fair, Hermes, took over La Pelota once again, this time in contrast to its 2019 installation with a dark room and large temple-like installations dominating the space. Each housed an element of its new collections and although sometimes tricky to go in and out due to sheer visitor numbers, they were laid out beautifully in true Hermes style.
Fuorisalone and other unique events
Slightly south of Brera and nearer to the Duomo, Louis Vuitton and its Objets Nomades took over the iconic Garage Traversi, where it unveiled two new additions to the Objets Nomades collections as well as a wide selection of recent and classic pieces. Including work by Fernando and Humberto Campana, Patricia Urquiola, Barber Osgerby, Atelier Oï, Raw Edges, Frank Chou, André Fu, and Marcel Wanders Studio the show didn’t fail to disappoint with a rainbow of colour in every room.
Vaarni at Rossana Orlandi
As always, Rossana Orlandi’s gallery at Cortile 16 did not disappoint and this year’s theme was ‘Danish House’. The exhibition curated by the gallery featured a wide selection of brands that showcase colour, sustainability and shapes, including Architectmade, Bang & Olufsen, Carl Hansen, Ferm LIVING, Gabriel, Helene Blanche, House of Finn Juhl, Louis Poulsen, Mernøe, Mumutane, Muuto, Royal Copenhagen and Studio Roso. A particular favourite for us was furniture and lighting brand, Vaarni, tucked away with a beautifully crafted gin bar courtesy of Kyrö gin - a new kid on the alcoholic beverage block as well as some other beautifully curated pieces including a stunning room by Bethan Gray.
Bethan Gray at Rossana Orlandi
Tom Dixon Studio
Tom Dixon couldn’t miss the opportunity to celebrate twenty years with an exhibition at Palazzo Serbelloni, home to Sotheby’s auction house. We spotted him being papped at the event before we spent time exploring the new collection in this stunning space. Classic forms we’ve come to know and love from Tom Dixon’s studio dominated the space with a few interesting additions too.
Villa Necchi, Milan
A final highlight to share is the beautiful architecture and interiors of the Villa Necchi which opened its doors once again to visitors. Adjacent to this well-known residence, Gaggenau had set up a tented exhibition of its kitchens, using resident chefs to evoke the senses using its products. We arrived just as a talk led by Amy Frearson was wrapping up so didn’t get the full experience as they were still setting up for the day! However, the Villa itself did not disappoint and was a cool respite from the intense Italian sunshine.
Back to its best?
"The strength of Salone is that it is like a magnet. During design week, you meet people you would otherwise never meet...a serendipitous moment can become the starting point for a business or creative relationship".
This quote from Salone's new president, Maria Porto in Monocle's dedicated edition perfectly sums up how we feel about not just Salone but the whole design week itself.
Whilst time didn’t allow us to visit Rho Fiera this year, being back in the city surrounded by inspirational and forward-thinking designers and makers again was truly wonderful.
There was a strong thread of sustainability from many brands. Some did this better than others and we think some have a long way to go before claiming truly sustainable design. Natural materials, lighting that was beautiful in its simplicity and thought-provoking installations wove their way through the streets of Milan and despite the soaring temperatures, we just loved reconnecting with faces familiar and new and feeling a renewed sense of drive and determination from the design industry.
Here’s to the next one…ideally back in April, please!
