‘Marquetry in Leather’ by Loewe
Every April the world’s design-addicts flock into Milan and congregate – or rather, they take a quick look at what everyone else is doing and make time for an aperitivo or two. Since this only happens once a year (as opposed to fashion week and its seemingly endless number of cycles) the fair and all its side events are sprawled across the city to make for a week of aesthetics both boundless and bountiful. Though the world’s most hyped design event doesn’t come to a close until Sunday, here’s a rundown of the best we saw thus far.
‘Cosmic Dinner’ tableware by Diesel and Seletti
Diesel Living’s ‘come in, we’re open!’
In case you missed it, the Italian denim powerhouse has been successfully dabbling in furniture and home accessories for some time now. With a deep knowledge of true craftsmanship, they are committed to partnering with only the best producers, enlisting help from Foscarini for lighting products, Moroso for furniture and Seletti for home accessories. This year’s highlights include the “Cosmic Dinner” tableware and the “Nizza” chair.
Nike installation by Max Lamb
Nike’s ‘The Nature of Motion’
Always the ones to put things – and especially people – in motion, Nike asked ten contemporary designers to explore natural motion through various mediums. We especially like British furniture designer Max Lamb’s surreal installation, which showcases heavy aluminium, granite and polystyrene blocks effortlessly levitating above an invisible film of compressed air.
COS x Sou Fujimoto
COS x SOU FUJIMOTO
Also no strangers to implementing design as an overall outlook on life, H&M’s minimalist offspring invited Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto to transform Milan’s former Cinema Arti into a “Forest of Light.” The darkened space is illuminated by towering cones of light that are designed to respond to visitors’ movements, while specially-composed sounds, subtle fog and mirrored walls create an immersive, infinite landscape.
Marni’s ‘Ballhaus’ collection
Marni’s ‘Ballhaus’
Playful with a twist – that’s Marni. And the Italian fashion label definitely didn’t disappoint at Salone. Looking to Cumbia – an ancient Colombian dance – for inspiration, Marni staged a Ballhaus as the backdrop for its furniture collection, complete with dancing couples. The pieces are all made from metal, wood and hand-woven cord by a self-help initiative of Colombian women.
‘Wave’ chair by Loewe
Loewe’s ‘Marquetry in Leather’
Loewe’s creative director Jonathan Anderson turned to the fashion house’s expertise in leather – or “Marquetry in Leather”– to conceive a collection of colourful furniture and home accessories. Stand-out pieces included a throne-like “Wave” chair and the beautiful “Lily of the Valley” wardrobe – perfect for storing all those Loewe and J.W.Anderson clothes.
All images PR