2016 Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
The 55th Salone del Mobile, Milan’s annual furniture fair—the most important of its kind globally—kicks off on April 12. Over 300,000 visitors are expected to descend on the Italian design capital during the week-long event. From young designers updating iconic pieces to top fashion houses making their mark on furniture, here’s a sneak peek. —Josephine Minutillo
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Cassina worked with Dutch designer Bertjan Pot to create a bespoke textile in three jacquard versions for the Utrecht armchair, giving a contemporary twist to this icon by Gerrit Rietveld. Each unique Boxblocks version fits 90 limited edition pieces like a tailor-made dress, for a total of 270 models. According to Pot, “For the Boxblocks textile of the Utrecht, it was important for me to do something today that was not technically possible at the time of the armchair’ s creation.”
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Antonio Citteriohas designed Multiplo, a versatile family of tables for Kartell. The plastic structure is combined with different bases and ultra-thin ceramic tabletops. Kartell is presenting four versions in different sizes and colors.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Irreverent Italian brand Gufram celebrates its 50th birthday with Psychedelic Cactus, a limited edition of the iconic coat hanger designed by Drocco and Mello in 1972. This version, by Paul Smith, blends the bright hues that characterize his fashion.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Design boutique Spazio Pontaccio introduces Credenza, a series of furniture in stained glass that merges the contemporary design of Patricia Urquiola with the graphic skills of Federico Pepe of Le Dictateur, an editorial platform and exhibition space. The capsule collection is inspired by cathedral windows.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
During the Salone, fashion house Marni will create a ballroom, inviting visitors to discover Cumbia, an ancient Colombian dance. Its colorful choreography will form the backdrop for the presentation of Marni’s new range of chairs, chaise longues, rocking chairs, small tables, lamps, and vases made of metal, wood, and hand-woven PVC cord in brilliant color combinations. The items are made in Colombia by a group of women who have gained independence and freedom through work
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Defined by organic lines, a substantial and well-defined back, and the broad shape of the armrests, Hans Wegner’s CH22 lounge chair from 1950 is being reintroduced by Carl Hansen & Son. The Danish furniture company is now also offering the CH26, a coordinating side chair that was never produced and remained unknown for a long time.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
2009 Architectural Record Vanguard architects Neri & Hu have designed the stand for Danish textile company Kvadrat at the furniture fair. Floating above as an abstracted volume, the form-making of the space is intentionally primitive and suppressed in order to celebrate the exceptional colors and textures that define Kvadrat.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Wolf Gordon will show a new branded collection of textiles and wallcoverings at sprawling design space Rossana Orlandi. Titled Level, the collection was created in collaboration with Amsterdam-based textile designer Mae Engelgeer.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Moroso celebrates 25 years of collaboration with London-based designer Ron Arad. “Ron is a very intelligent person and that means he takes the appropriate approach to design. Things that are obvious don’t interest him,” says Patrizia Moroso, head of the Italian furniture brand. “Ron debuted in industrial design with us. That’s something I’m very proud of.”
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Known for its leather-upholstered seating and beds, Poltrona Frau worked with French designer Jean-Marie Massaud on Lloyd, a system of storage units and bookcases with variable geometries. Thin vertical wooden rods create light grilles that run from top to bottom. Each grille can be moved as desired to create different sequences. Uprights between shelves are covered in leather.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Valet by David Rockwell is the designer’s first collection for Stellar Works, a global design brand based in China, Japan, and France. It includes 14 pieces from lounge seating to customizable shelving and a bar cart, to support everyday living, working, and entertaining. Materials include full-grain saddle leather, American walnut, black steel, and brushed brass.
Milan Salone del Mobile Preview
Hiroshima is a new stackable armchair by designer Naoto Fukasawa for Japanese wood specialists Maruni.It is available in beech, oak, and walnut and comes with a polished stainless steel frame. Maruni will also present new seating by Jasper Morrison.