07 Jun Salone del Mobile 2023, day 3.
We planned to spend our third day in the city, and since the weather was not in our favour, we wanted to visit the showrooms and exhibitions close to our apartment that day.
Our morning was dedicated to lighting innovations, so we threw ourselves into Corso Monforte and visited some companies better known for their technical lamps. Luceplan is not only famous for its sophisticated technological innovations, but also focuses on bold and timeless forms, one of the best examples of which is the now iconic Mesh. It has a powerful effect, yet has a light, almost transparent structure, which is built from a network of flexible cables, at the intersection of which LED sources are placed. The factory has always placed great emphasis on acoustic solutions, where the quality of the light goes hand in hand with the beauty of the fabrics.
One of the most interesting novelties of Flos is the Skynet suspension designed by Marcel Wanders, which formally resembles a typical suspended lamp, but if we take a closer look, we find ourselves facing a very well-thought-out and well-designed mesh system. The structural cables are made of recycled fabric, and no glue is used for its assembly. The To-Tie table lamp is the end product of a series of minimized elements, and the interesting thing is that only mechanical tension holds it together, like a modern Jenga game.
Before lunch, we had a meeting at the Listone Giordano Arena about one of our ongoing projects, but before the meeting we couldn’t miss the opportunity to participate in an exciting interactive program. The Arena hosted the Neuro Nature event, where designers explored the role of nature in relation to humans. The program wanted to go beyond the green vegetation introduced into our living spaces, so the central space was transformed into an indoor forest, where visitors were also involved for a short stay to record the level of emotional involvement and the feeling of relaxation while using a neuronal helmet. This is how the shoes came off our feet too and we spent 10-15 minutes in this environment without disturbing sound effects. And at the end of the consultation, we couldn’t leave without browsing the range of wonderful solid wood floors with our all-time favourite among them, which creates an exciting new surface thanks to a special crossed bush technique.
Fashion and design have always gone hand in hand and come back renewed and refreshed year after year. In recent years, more and more big fashion houses have decided to delve into the world of homes, and the list of big names is expanding every year during the Design Week. So, we escaped from the grey weather on Thursday afternoon to a dazzling world, where we could admire the Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades exhibition, which was presented this year as well in Palazzo Serbelloni. As soon as we arrived at the inner courtyard, Marc Fornes’ walk-in spaceship installation, which he designed from flat metal sheets joined together with artistic detail, rendered us speechless. Entering the palace, we could admire the various processing of another hard material, leather. The fine leather work typical of the fashion house is reflected in the detailed workmanship of the furniture, which was designed by such big names as Marcel Wanders, Campana Brothers or Atelier Oi.
The home products of the Hermés house this year were characterized by the form of archaism, natural vigor and purity, which was presented this year as well in the Pelota. Every year we look forward to this exhibition with great curiosity, as visitors are always dazzled by something surprising and exciting in the huge hangar. This year’s installation was in perfect harmony with the purity of the products, eliminating excess. The iron bars and the concrete provided a graphic framework to the presentation of the products. His presented furniture combined wood and leather, and the shapes dated back to the 1930s. We also saw some glass-blown lamps and virtuoso hand-embroidered rugs.
Famous for its fine fabrics, Loro Piana presented the new project of Argentinian designer and artist Cristián Mohaded, Apacheta, at its headquarters in Milan. The installation was inspired by the rock piles found in the Andes mountains, which highlights this topography with the large towers that rise from the ground and covered them with recycled Loro Piana fabrics. This collaboration stems from a shared passion for materials and craftsmanship, which perfectly demonstrated this dedication.
Before the evening event, we ended our day in the Agape showroom, where shapes inspired by the past were reflected in their bathroom products in a delicate and fresh form. The cast iron bathtub Ottocento, designed by Benedini Associati, was decorated in fresh and vibrant colours this year, the cheerful turquoise became our big favourite. And the iconic sculptural piece of the Ell washbasin is an everlasting love.
Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, so we arrived at the last program of the day soaking wet, but as soon as we entered the showroom of Devon and Devon in Milan, we forgot all our worries. The visual experience of Secret Gardens’ dreamy floral wallpaper and dressing table designed by Marcel Wanders captivated all visitors, and walking inside, this jewel box unfolded even more. The company has reinterpreted European traditions and neoclassical contemporary style out of its love of craftsmanship and precious, timeless materials, a perfect example of which is the Metropolitan Vanity family presented this year, where the elegant structure made of polished lacquered wood meets the marble top and brass accessories. And for the rest of the evening, Stella, the charming representative led us around, presenting the innovations in more detail, followed by some prosecco.
