In Milan, one of the world’s most prominent design events is returning this June with a boundary-pushing mood. It’s Salone del Mobile, a furniture fair that piques the interest of smart tastemakers around the world. This year, it celebrates its 60th anniversary with a rich programme that’s focused on creativity and innovation with a special nod to sustainability. “Salone del Mobile, a part of Milan Design Week, has always been a catalyst for creativity, positivity and energy,” says Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile Milano.
This edition promises to be particularly special, as it signifies the return to normalcy following COVID-19 restrictions and aims at sparking conversation regarding eco-friendly practices in the furniture world. “More than ever, we believe in the importance of the fair being a crossroads of cultures and styles open to the world. This is why we’ve made sure that the work of the exhibitors takes centre stage again,” adds Maria.
“The event acts as a blank canvas for all its protagonists—companies, brands and designers—allowing them to project their own identities and tell their stories. It’s a point of reference for the entire design community.” As a place of dialogue and construction in Milan and at its Shanghai and Moscow editions, the fair promises scintillating insight into the ever-evolving design world. Here, we reveal a few of its anticipated offerings.
B&B Italia
‘Le Bambole’ seating collection by Mario Bellini
B&B Italia celebrates its 50th anniversary with the ‘Le Bambole’ seating collection by Mario Bellini, with a sustainable makeover for the plush design icon of the 1970s. “Sustainability is a crucial theme for us at the company and our investors at Design Holding,” states Gilberto Negrini, the CEO of B&B Italia. “‘Le Bambole’ is a project that we’re very proud of. It’s a collection that bears exceptional content, not only from the creative aspect, but also for its comfort, endurance and sustainability.”
Hermès
Soleil d’Hermès’ dinnerware, illustrated by Arielle de Brichambaut for Hermès
Iconic fashion brands are an integral part of Milan Design Week—their impeccable sense of style is now extending past the runways to the realm of interiors. Hermès debuts its new illuminating ‘Soleil d’Hermès’ dinner service comprising 24 pieces that pay homage to summer.
The porcelain accessories in white and bright yellow feature graphic motifs that evoke palm trees, among other elements. Illustrator Arielle de Brichambaut’s talent, combined with the expertise of the brands’ artisans under the aegis of Benoît-Pierre Emery, creative director of La Table Hermès, creates harmony between material, colour, and design.
Carl Hansen & Søn
To celebrate Hans J. Wegner’s over 70 years of collaborations with Carl Hansen & Søn, the company is now teaming up with London-based designer Ilse Crawford to introduce the ‘Wishbone’ chair in nine new colours. Each chair has been reinterpreted in a range of five earthy colours, chosen by Crawford to give a fresh perspective to the collection.
The environmentally-friendly, water-based colourways have a slightly transparent finish, which allows the chairs’ original oak wood grain to shine through, creating a nuanced sense of colour and texture. The pieces have been designed to work both as a group and independently, and their painterly tones reflect on the raw beauty of the Nordic landscape.
“More than ever, we believe in the importance of the fair being a crossroads of cultures and styles open to the world. The event acts as a blank canvas for all its protagonists, allowing them to project their own identities and tell their stories.”
Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile Milano Salvatori
The brand launches ‘Omphalos’, a new collection of natural stone coffee tables, designed by renowned British architect John Pawson. Legend has it that Zeus, in his quest to identify the centre of the world, released two eagles in opposite directions. He commanded them to fly towards one another and they met in the skies above Delphi, which from that moment was considered by the Greeks to be the ‘omphalos’, the world’s ‘umbilicus’ or ‘navel’.
John has captured the same sense of centrality in the ‘Omphalos’ collection. Unusually low, the coffee tables seem to hover just over the ground to mirror the mythical image of birds circling the Earth—an effect that’s the result of extraordinary design.
Very Simple Kitchen
‘Very Simple Bellezza’ stainless steel outdoor kitchen by Very Simple Kitchen; Photography by Mattia Parodi
Inspired by Italy’s industrial heritage, the brand was born in Bologna out of the desire to reinvent the traditional kitchen by turning it into a more practical, intuitive and flexible space. For Milan Design Week, it exclusively presents its first range of outdoor kitchens, named ‘Very Simple Bellezza’.
With the help of architect Davide Fabio Colaci, the project will be installed in the courtyard of the historic Milanese cultural club, Arci Bellezza. The minimalist open-air kitchen modules interact with their natural surroundings to create unexpected relationships between the visitor, set-up and nearby architecture. With this offering, the brand aims at enhancing the classic kitchens and creating handcrafted and sustainable products.
Salone del Mobile runs at the Fiera Milano exhibition centre in Milan from 7-12 June 2022.
Visit Salonemilano.it and follow @Isaloniofficial on Instagram
Images courtesy of the brands
