Best New Talent & Independent Designers in Milan 2015.

NOV Gallery presented CRAFT DESIGN exhibition, which highlighted the evolution of craftsmanship into design. A selection of limited and unique pieces designed by members of the Design Studio Renens were shown like the Atlas table Marlo & Isaure, and Betty light Matthieu Girel.

Rooms Design, a partnership of two young designers from Georgia, presented a new collection, “Invisible To The Eye” which I loved to bits.

Berlin-based Von Pelt presented a Meteorite collection with incredible crystal tables that looked like they’ve been plucked out of space. The jewel like tables are made in Berlin using resins, crystal glass and the finest pigments – made to like a personalised meteorite for people’s homes.

Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc presented a collection of furniture under her own label, like the strangely alluring shiny gold work desk and chair which made feel serious lust.

Left: HAT pendant light & MIL coffee table by Berlin-based Buero Famos. Right: Frankfurt-based designer, Christoph Friedrich Wagner, presented VLADIMIR collection inspired by the hyperbolic constructions of the engineer Vladimir Schuchov. I was also a fan of his stunning WHIZZ KID lamps which can be used in a variety of ways.

WHIZZ KID lamps by Christoph Friedrich Wagner.

Dutch designer Ingrid Hulskamp presented a collection of paper coated mirrors partially covered with multi-layered paper. As strips of paper are removed in layers, unexpected images resembling landscapes come alive.

Joa Herrenknecht, young designer from Berlin says that, since we don’t have so many books anymore, the ones we have are very precious, and are worth being displayed in a nice manner, hence her MOON marble bookends.

Left: Joa Herrenknecht also presented the stunning ONDA bedside lamps with a spherical lamp shade, which resemble a magic hat balancing on a metal stick. Right: Maija Puoskari, designer from Finland presented VANAMO pendant and floor lights, inspired by the Finnish flora.

KIMU LAB presented The New Old Divider which incorporates contrasting personalities between the East and the West. This duality is mirrored in screen’s ability to appear as both minimalist and decorative.

Also by KIMU LAB, this Pearl Lanterns transform traditional Chinese lanterns into jewellery for an interior.

Meike Harde‘s Wooden Aquarel is a colouring technique for timber surfaces that allows the mass production of individually unique pieces.

Mejd, product design studio based in Bratislava, Slovakia presented the stunning EXHIBIT lamp & jar light in brass.

Morten & Jonas, two Norwegian guys, presented a really sophisticated collection which included a modular sofa collection, side tables, ceramics, glassware, and Up and Down floor light produced by Northerlighting.

Left: Heatsink Chair by Paul Puskarich made from aluminium. Right: Zick Zack side table by Olga Bielawska made from a single laser-cut sheet.

Left: Clothes hanger by Out for space.  Right: Tokyo designer Satsuki Ohata presented Fondue Stool. Why fondue, you ask? Well, that’s because the stool is made by dipping highly absorbent sponge into PVC, similar to cheese fondue. Once the sponge is dried with hot air, high density stool is formed.

Rug by Schönstaub, established by Nadja Stäubli and David Schönen in Zurich in 2010, who create rugs with photorealistic motives, graphic elements, fine drawings and different weaving techniques in one carpet.

“DUAL LAND – Chapter I” by Faberhama (Paola Amabile & Alberto Fabbian) collection integrates new opportunities offered by digital technologies with traditional methods such as 3D printing and glass blowing.

Federico Peri, young designer from Milan presented a series of highly sophisticated pieces. His ‘Living in a chair’, is made form bronzed metal structure with brass shelves and an upholstered seat. ‘Shapes’ is his lighting collection inspired by the suspended power lines, made from burnished or brushed brass, glass and leather detailing. Stunning.

Hanna Kruger presented a collection of furniture, lighting and accessories which are directly inspired by the work of Josef Hoffmann, a celebrated Austrian architect and designer who made his mark on the world of design in 19th & 20th century.


Left: From LABEL/BREED, Dutch initiative that brings together designers and manufacturers so that unique concepts and imaginative fabrication processes can be achieved, comes this leaning cast iron lamp. It was designed by Dutch collective DEMAKERS VAN & made by LOVINK TECHNOCAST – experts in iron casting. The light was inspired by traditional spinning tops. Right: Studio Mieke Meijer presented Balance Light which is inspired by the structure of a tower crane. Balance only lights up when perfectly balanced. It is a lamp you have to touch, whether you want to or not, either to adjust it or to switch it on or off.

Textile Hues by Dutch designer Mae Engelgeer. Exhibition design by Sabine Marcelis.

Norwegian Presence was one of the strongest shows in Lambrate this year. It showcased the very best of what Norwegian handcraft and design – both past and present – has to offer. I loved the Core table lamp by Runa Klock made from natural Norwegian stone.

Delightful young Dutch designer Pleunie Buyink presented “Limber Gems”, which she describes as elegant jewellery for the interior, made from a newly developed material where rubber is a key component. 
The gems are flexible and obedient – they can be moulded to sit on the floor, or be wall mounted as an art object that plays with depth and light. Once the light touches the gems, the interplay between the rugged crinkly background, the rough edges and the warm colours begins to do it’s thing.

Marblelous Collection by  Josep Vila Capdevila of APARENTMENT.

New chair by Beriut duo david/nicolas for Nilufar Gallery.

“FUHA — THE EXPRESSION OF AIR” Exhibition by Fabrica for Daikin, the Japanese air conditioning company. “FUHA” was a multi-sensory artistic response that gave shape to air. Using this concept as their starting point, the young researchers at Fabrica created a setting in which the air is the designer. Through ten different installations in which air manifests in different forms (above shows air manifested as Power), visitors came into contact with the invisible, and turning the intangible into physical interaction.

More from FUHA exhibition by Fabrica for Daikin – air manifested as Sound and Weight.

Chiara & Arianna from Studiopepe presented Ossmori collection at Fragile Gallery – one of a kind pieces that are a study in materials and compositions, and tension between the opposites.

Nomadic Light (previously) by Katharina Eisenkoeck presented at Austrian Design Pioneers at La Pelota in Brera.

Also at Austrian Design Pioneers Left: Lamp 11811 by Klemens Schillinger. Right: Hammer Lamp by Big Game for Wiener Silber Manufactur.

[Images Courtesy of Respective Designers & Press Office.]