Dearest Yellowtracers… I mean Milantracers,It is with great pleasure that we kick off our epic Milan report, aka MILANTRACE Edizione 2016 – a comprehensive review of Milan Design Week & Salone del Mobile 2016. Hooray! No seriously though – get excited, because we have so much awesome stuff to share with you over the coming weeks – my heart and my head feel like they are literally going to explode. We had the most brilliant, brilliant week in Milan, meeting old friends, making new friends, discovering new talent and being inspired by old favourites who delivered stellar performances. On a personal level, I feel incredibly proud of the community and the reputation we’ve built around Yellowtrace – I can’t describe that feeling when you hand over your card to someone and they literally squeal “OMG Yellowtrace! I love you guys so much! Your Milan coverage is seriously amazing etc, etc.” Anyway, I don’t mean to brag, but gosh I just had to for a moment. It still feels weird to me that we travel to the other side of the Earth only to realise what we do back at home is relevant and respected the world over. That is the most amazing feeling and something I will never take for granted.But enough about me – let’s talk about Milan. This was another strong year for Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile, with record crowds in attendance, and what feels like more events and more areas popping up around the city in the ultimate celebration of Design. I am still amazed at the amount of effort that goes into producing everything we see during the week – from each individual product, to group shows, events, installations and ingenious brand extensions. So much heart, so many ideas, in some cases – bags of money, so many brilliant minds, so much hard work, so many late nights. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Negroni. (Or in my case, Aperol Spritz). It is this realisation, coupled with a relentless appetite for design, a ferocious curiosity, and a profound respect for other designers’ work that drives me to continue on this quest of doing these people and brands justice.You know, it seems kind of crazy that with Milan less than two weeks behind us, many of the digital channels have already wrapped up their coverage, while we are only just beginning. Although it feels like the world is pressuring us to churn through digital reports faster and faster each year, I stand firmly in my resolve to refuse buying into the mindless speed. And so we will continue to do our best to give you more considered coverage at a slightly slower pace, in hope to share with you as much as possible. (Although, to be perfectly frank, I feel like we are literally flying at the speed of lightning trying to digest and dissect this epic event, and balance the quality of content with relevance and speed).If you are after the ultimate overview of Milan Design Week & Salone del Mobile 2016 (and you live in Australia), you should definitely come to one of our legendary MILANTRACE talks in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. I will not only share with you what we talk about here on Yellowtrace, but So. Much. MORE. Tickets are still available via the links below. I sincerely hope to see you there!Un bacio, Mama Yellowtrace x COME TO OUR ROCKING MILAN TALKS! Sydney: Wednesday, 18 May 2016 Sydney: Thursday, 19 May 2016 Melbourne: Wednesday, 25 May 2016 Melbourne: Thursday, 26 May 2016 Brisbane: Wednesday, 1 June 2016 Perth: Wednesday, 15 June 2016 No Sex opening party to celebrate the project by Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari, curated by Maria Cristina Didero. Crazy cool all round. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Maximalist colour & pattern heaven at La DoubleJ pop-up store. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Inner Forest wall mural and installation curated by Gupica at Martina Gamboni. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Table pieces by Cristina Celestino and illustrations by Fortuna Todisco at Martina Gamboni. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Incredible view from the rooftop at Martina Gamboni. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Super beautiful handmade tile collection by Cristina Celestino for Botteganove at Ladies & Gentlemen, an exhibition curated by P.S. and Secondome. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Restart Milano and yours truly with Arianna and Chiara of Studiopepe (hooray!) at Ladies & Gentlemen. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Valentina Cameranesi and TO DO with SERVOMUTO at Ladies & Gentlemen. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Cheeky moment with the gorgeous Andrea & Simone of Formafantasma at Lexus. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Incredible installation by Formafantasma for Lexus. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.The always inspiring Circolo Marras. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Divine installation at Circolo Marras, where I was busted taking a selfie. Oops. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. With my heaven people, Enrico and Stine of GamFratesi at the equally heaven MINDCRAFT16. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.MINDCRAFT16 at Circolo Filologico, curated by GamFratesi. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Frame magazine’s What’s the Matter? experiential exhibition which showcased various designers’ interpretations of a “phygital future”. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Trying to capture the amazing graphics at What’s the Matter? by FRAME. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Walking up the stairs at the Palazzo Bovara, knowing something amazing was upon us. And it was. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Elle Decor Italia’s Soft Home installation at Palazzo Bovara. Needless to say – stay tuned for more. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Makers & Bakers curated by Ambra Meda for Airbnb at Rossana Orlandi’s Restaurant Marta. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.German Ermičs and Si Light by BCXSY at Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Studio Wieki Somers for Thomas Eyck and Danish brand Karakter at Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Left: Finally meeting Mr Yatzer in real life for the first time. Right: Lee Broom’s clever Salone del Automobile van. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Node light by Odd Matter and Jan Plechac & Henry Wielgus at Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Milan Robot Invasion by UMZIKIM and Kyuhyung Cho. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Diamond Chandelier by Stick Bulb and Daniel Rybakken at Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Handmade mosaic Bench by YUKIKO NAGAI and new collection by ROOMS at Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Gustavo Martini at SaloneSatellite. What a champ! Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Pauline Capdo and Luis Bellenger aka PaulinePlusLuis, and Patricia Urquiola x Kvadrat installation at SaloneSatellite 2016 . Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Daphna Laurens and Vera & Kyte at SaloneSatellite 2016. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.The ridiculously fabulous Vitra Pop-up. Clearly, I will share more with you on this one. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Gaufram celebrated their 50 year anniversary with an exhibition curated by Charley Vezza at 10 Corso Como. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. The always delightful 10 Corso Como. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.The bijou, raw and super beautiful BassamFellows showroom and store, previously an exhibition space and studio of architect Michele de Lucchi. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Hem loveliness. I simply wanted to move in. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.More from Hem. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Nendo’s 50 Manga Chairs installation. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Nendo’s 50 Manga Chairs installation. Oki Sato never fails to impress. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Fritz Hansen’s beautiful new showroom in Brera. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Nendo’s Light & Shadow installation for Marsotto Edizioni, plus the beautiful courtyard at the back. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. The courtyard at Masterly – The Dutch Pavilion in Milan, an interdisciplinary exhibition of Dutch Design, Art, Crafts, Fashion and Photography. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. The Dutch Pavilion courtyard at Palazzo Francesco Turati covered with 15,000 tulips. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. The extraordinary details at the recently restored Palazzo Francesco Turati. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Dutch designers at Palazzo Francesco Turati. Please excuse me for not remembering the names – I was kind of floored by the space! Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Lasvit’s amazing Via Lucis exhibition at Palazzo Serbeloni. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Hello Rho Fiera & Salone del Mobile 2016. Right: little moment from Gebrüder Thonet Vienna stand. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Team Yellowtrace, I mean Team Milantrace reflecting on the situation at Knoll. A super rare photo of the three of us! Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Knoll knocked it out of the ballpark with a killer stand designed by Rem Koolhaas/ OMA. Finally! Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Jerszy Seymour for Magis. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Lovely playfulness at Carl Hansen. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. The always sharp e15 at Salone del Mobile 2016. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Super beautiful award goes to GAN-Rugs and Vitra. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Colour explosion at Artek, and eternal elegance at Cassina. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.One of my personal favourites – Votteler Chair by Walter Knoll. And a super gorgeous moment on Lema stand. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Bolon stand by Doshi Levien, and Zanotta stand by Studio CalviBrambilla and styling by Studio Salaris. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Hooray for Sancal’s super playful and fabulous 1960s shagadellic set, and black on black minimalist elegance at the String stand. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Danish perfection – Finn Juhl and &tradition stands. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Fashion house Marni transformed its space at Viale Umbria 42 into a ballroom, named Marni Ballhaus. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Marni’s new home furnishing accessories range, created exclusively for Milan Design Week. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.The restaurant by Tom Dixon and Caesarstone. Four conceptual kitchens inspired by the elements took place at the historical Rotonda della Besana. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.The magnificent Villa Necchi Campiglio. We went there to see the Austrian Design’s exhibition and got distracted by the building and the grounds. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.More from Villa Necchi Campiglio. If you’re ever in Milan, this place is a must. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Wallpaper Handmade exhibition felt more cohesive and impressive than ever before. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.More from Wallpaper Handmade – Water cabin by AFSO, Klafs amd Perfurmer H, and Screen/ Bookshelf by Julie Richoz and Coverings Etc. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.One of the most bizarre but incredibly cool events during the week which only took place for one day – Beyond: the Veuve Clicquot journey by Fabrica. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. One of the most instagrammed moments from Ventura Lambrate 2016 – Space Frames by Studio Mieke Meijer. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. A simple but an incredibly beautiful presentation by STUDIO OINK creative lab. Their project “Design with the Unknown” was a collaboration with British artist Aimee Bollu. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Noni group exhibition of talented Finnish designers at Ventura Lambrate 2016. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.HEAD Genève exhibition of reinterpreted cuckoo clocks and Structure – Norwegian design exhibition at Ventura Lambrate. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. The new De Padova showroom deigned by Piero Lissoni is a serious showstopper. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Stunning De Padova. More to come soon! Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Herringbones by Raw Edges at Garage Sanremo, 5 Vie. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Karimoku New Standard with artist Chung Eun-Mo, and new collection by Apparatus. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Hermes showcased their new home collection at Teatro Vetra, in a pavilion designed by the Mexican architect Mauricio Rocha. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Little moment of magic at Palazzo Litta inside the Lanzavecchia + Wai exhibition space. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Continuum by mist-o for Milestone, and One Flower vases by Be&Liv at Palazzo Litta. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Nothing to do with Milan Design Week, but everything to do with design – Aesop store designed by Dimore Studio. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Aesop store on Corso Magenta designed by Dimore Studio. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Moroso celebrated 25 years with an installation by Ron Arad in their Brera showroom. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Atelier Swarovski Home teamed up with an all-star cast for their debut accessory collection, presented in a super cool show. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Credenza by Patrizia Urquiola and Federico Peppe for Spazio Pontaccio. Dramatic spaces at DIMORESTUDIO. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Michael Anastassiades for Herman Miller. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Rooms exhibition at La Triennale. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.An unexpected tear-jerker: Women In Design exhibition at La Triennale. Amazing. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Oh ok, this also has nothing to do with Milan Design Week per se, but staying at the newly opened Patricia Urquiola designed Room Mate Giulia was definitely a highlight of my week. Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.Room Mate Giulia by Patricia Urquiola. What a way to end the busy week! Photo © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace. Team Yellowtrace have flown to Italy courtesy of Cathay Pacific, who fly to Rome and Milan several times each week. Cathay’s great connections from Australia allow getting from Sydney to Italy in under 24 hours, including transit times. For more information visit cathaypacific.com.au. [Photography © Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.] Share the love:FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPinterest 7 Responses Charlie April 30, 2016 Thank you for these amazing and inspiring images! Your passion definitely lives through them. Reply Dana Tomić Hughes May 4, 2016 Thanks so much for your comment, Charlie. And you’re right – definitely no shortage of passion here! X Reply Catherine April 30, 2016 Such a brilliant journey through Milan Design Week. Thank you guys. inspiring… Reply Dana Tomić Hughes May 4, 2016 It’s an absolute pleasure, thank you for your feedback Catherine! Reply Mark Allen May 4, 2016 Amaaaaze!!! Brilliant images!! Reply Dana Tomić Hughes May 4, 2016 Thanks Mark. Stay tuned for SO MUCH MORE hotness!! Reply Francesca October 31, 2016 Hi Dana, your page is great!!!! Beautiful images from design world!! i love Milan and i go every years at the Salone, i can find there such a lot of insiping and amazing idea for my job. Go on and take the best!! ReplyLeave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ
Charlie April 30, 2016 Thank you for these amazing and inspiring images! Your passion definitely lives through them. Reply
Dana Tomić Hughes May 4, 2016 Thanks so much for your comment, Charlie. And you’re right – definitely no shortage of passion here! X Reply
Catherine April 30, 2016 Such a brilliant journey through Milan Design Week. Thank you guys. inspiring… Reply
Dana Tomić Hughes May 4, 2016 It’s an absolute pleasure, thank you for your feedback Catherine! Reply
Francesca October 31, 2016 Hi Dana, your page is great!!!! Beautiful images from design world!! i love Milan and i go every years at the Salone, i can find there such a lot of insiping and amazing idea for my job. Go on and take the best!! Reply
