The Best of Milan Design Week 2016
Salone del Mobile – or Milan Design Week – is the biggest trade fair of its kind, showcasing everything that’s to come from the world of furniture, lighting, interiors and more. Starting in 1961 with a focus on Italian furniture, today more than 2,400 exhibitors from all over the world and more than 1,000 events make up Design Week – making it one that is not to miss. The fair was full of everything that we can expect to see next from the world of design, but here’s our best of Milan Design Week 2016.
Italian furniture company Gufram is famous for its large cactus coat stand first designed in the early 1970s. Another iconic moment in design from this period was the beginning of Paul Smith’s eponymous fashion line – and now the two have come together. There are just 169 of the Gufram & Paul Smith Psychedelic Cactus, which takes the original design and incorporates Sir Paul’s famous colourful stripes.
Another collaboration to launch at Milan Design Week 2016 was Hong Kong-based Stellar Works and American architect David Rockwell’s Valet. The collection of everyday furniture is designed to support everyday living, working and entertaining, resulting in retro-inspired pieces made up of timeless, refined materials – think full-grain saddle leather, brushed brass and solid black steel.
Italian designer Stefano Giovannoni has collaborated with a vast amount of international companies (Alessi and Magis among them) and now he has ventured out on his own. Qeeboo – an Italian company that specialises in plastic designs – will be primarily sold online with the aim to simplify the buying and distribution process. Giovannoni officially launched Qeeboo at Milan Design Week 2016 with an eclectic range of designs.
New York City-based design studio creates experimental lighting using vintage components. The result is contemporary, innovative design with a touch of timeless style; think bold yet simple shapes with aged brass, leather, marble and porcelain. At Milan Design Week, the brand revealed its latest two designs – ‘circuit’ and ‘tassel’.
Sebastian Wrong has played an integral part in British design since forming his own manufacturing company in 1996. At Milan Design Week he launched his latest venture – Wrong London – in collaboration with Danish brand Hay. The new brand will focus specifically on lighting and will combine new technology with stylish and innovative design.
