Highlights from Milan Design Week 2022, Part 01.

Milan Design Week and Salone Del Mobile have played a huge part in my work and life for over a decade. To that end, it’s difficult to express just what it was like to be back in one of my absolute favourite places in the world during what would have to be the city’s absolute prime—all after a pandemic-induced three-year hiatus.

Like most global events, Salone was cancelled in 2020, and in 2021 it took place in September with a much smaller edition. It was once again postponed earlier this year from its usual April timeline, however, it finally went ahead in June with much anticipation and a huge sense of hope surrounding the event.

With so much global uncertainty, many visitors (and some of the participants too) made a fairly last-minute decision to attend, but despite all this, the show was back with an absolute bang—maybe not quite in full force, but perhaps in some way stronger than ever. While during the previous years there was a real sense the overall event (and its attendance) were growing year on year, bringing with it a huge sense of overwhelm and burnout, none of those feelings were felt in the air this year. This is partially because there was a bit less to see and do—although, let’s face it, both Salone (the furniture fair) and Milan Design Week (or Fuorisalone as the Italians call it—countless smaller events that occur all around the city) are so mega, even if they were to halve in scale, there would still be plenty to see and do for solid two weeks. Or something like that.

Also, never before has the proverb “absence makes the heart grow fonder” been truer than this year. Being able to catch up with friends old and new, touch and experience products in person, and soak up the general Milan-ness—my, oh my—all of this was pure joy. Through a greater appreciation for personal connection and a healthy dose of gratitude from everyone, Milan delivered not just beauty and inspiration, but also a greater sense of wellbeing, healing and care—a much-needed respite from a solemn backdrop of the past two and a half years for us all.

Today I would like to share with you Part 01 of our visual diary from Milan, with amazing photographs by Nick capturing our travels through the city. Today we will visit Alcova—where we spoke to Joseph Grima, one of the precinct’s co-founders; then to Rossana Orlandi where we chatted with the lovely Bethan Gray, and where we caught the gorgeous show by Draga & Aurel and a handful of brilliant emerging designers; then a stop at See The Stars Again by Flos, an installation designed by Calvi Brambilla that unveiled a bunch of new products, including the 60th anniversary celebration of Arco; then our visit to Hannes Peer’s studio, which was so good, we went there twice during the week (I know, wild!); we then spoke to the wonderful and prolific Luca Nichetto; the gloriously talented , humble and utterly gorgeous Cristina Celestino; a very special private preview of Hermès where I had the enormous pleasure of interviewing Charlotte Macaux Perelman and Alexis Fabry, artistic directors of Hermès Maison; the always inspiring visits to Solferino 11 with a whole array of showrooms like Salvatori, Dimore and H+O Gallery exist permanently, plus this year a special exhibition of works by Lucia Eames, presented by her own children; then off to the cultural zeitgeist shrine that’s Spazio Maiocchi for Cinema Tacchini and Toogood’s collaboration with Carhartt; then to the gorgeous Palazzo Litta for Doppia Firma; a theatrical preview of Lasvit’s new collections; Louis Vuitton’s Objet Nomades at Garage Traversi; and finally Boffi De Padova showroom to see the new collections, among them a collaboration with Paul Smith. Phew! And that’s just less than two of our five days.

Stay tuned for Part 02 of our photo diary, followed by a Part 03 article that will fill in the blanks by sharing some of the product launch highlights too.

Baci, Mama Yellowtrace X

COME TO OUR MILANTRACE TALKS!

Brisbane: Tuesday, 9 August 2022 (Evening Session)
Perth: Thursday, 11 August 2022 (Evening Session)
Sydney: Tuesday, 16 August 2022 (Lunchtime Session)
Sydney: Tuesday, 16 August 2022 (Evening Session)
Melbourne: Wednesday, 17 August 2022 (Lunchtime Session)
Melbourne: Wednesday, 17 August 2022 (Evening Session)

Welcome to MILANTRACE 2022.

While the dust settles on the global premier design event, Team Yellowtrace is tirelessly working behind the scenes to unravel Milan Design Week and Salone Del Mobile 2022 on your behalf.

ALCOVA 22

Lambert & Fils and DWA Design Studio, in collaboration with Superflower at Alcova. See more here.

Set in a historical indoor-outdoor temple of Alcova, Lambert & Fils and DWA Design Studio presented an eight-day aperitivo garden in collaboration with Superflower. In this setting, Lambert & Fils unveiled their latest lighting collection, Silo. See more here.

Arresting onyx portal and marble rotating cabinet by OMA for Solid Nature’s Monumental Wonders.

Onyx bathroom sculpture by Sabine Marcelis for Soild Nature.

Offcut Bar featured brands like And Light, Solid Nature, Zeitraum, and custom tables designed by Space Caviar.

Air Supply installation of inflatable products by industrial design students from Muthesius University in Kiel, Germany.

A sweet installation by R+D.LAB.

The unveiling of the Forite tiles designed by Studio Plastique & Snøhetta for Fornace Brioni. See more here.

Left: Furniture collection by Adrian Cruz & Sandro Giulianelli. Right: Modular light by Objects of Common Interest.

TABLEAU and Post Service ‘Confessions’ exhibition was an exploration of men’s mental health.

Joseph Grima, the founder of Space Caviar, is also a co-founder of Alcova alongside Valentina Ciuffi. Look forward to revealing more at our Milantrace talks.

Left: Platforms for Humans and Birds by Studio Ossidiana. Right: Concrete objects by Japanese studio AtMa.

Installation by The House of Lyria.

Left: Collaborative ceramic sculptures by Giovanni de Francesco and Marta Pierobon. Right. Table by Refractory.

Left: Hairy lamp goodness by Llot Llov. Right: Arresting installation by Colin King for Beni Rugs.

Left: Otherside Objects. Right: This is America, curated by Aditions + Hello Human.

ROSSANA ORLANDI GALLERY

In The Mood for the Seventies by Draga & Aurel.

Swoonyworthy cabinet at Rossana Orlandi (I’m afraid I don’t recall who the designer was—please let me know if you do?) UPDATE: The cabinet is by Emanuela Crotti.

The lovely Bethan Gray at the unveiling of her Inky Dhow Collection.

The pattern action at Bethan Gray’s installation was a bit of out control—note how my skirt matches the collection, while Luka’s bag reference’s Bethan’s dress. Instant besties.

Finally saw Sergio Roger’s insane work in person—here with his new collection The Grand Ball of Delphi. See more of Sergio’s work here.

Amazing timber & glass screen and chair by Andrea Zambelli.

FLOS

Flos staged a large installation at Fabbrica Orobia, designed by Calvi Brambilla, offering a multi-experiential hub into the brand’s universe.

Left: Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby and (right) Guglielmo Poletti with their new collections for Flos.

HANNES PEER STUDIO

The enormously talented Milanese architect and designer, Hannes Peer, presented STUDIO VISIT 2.0: in his studio apartment in Porta Romana, which opened to the public for the first time.

Peer’s studio unveiled the research carried out by the designer over the years, including several self-produced, unreleased pieces with other well known products, all of which were presented in the very space where they initially came to light.

LUCA NICHETTO FOR LA MANUFACTURE

An absolute legend, a true design champion and a total star—Luca Nichetto.

Luca is the Art Director of the young French brand La Manufacture, which staged an installation inside Museo Poldi Pezzoli.

CRISTINA CELESTINO’S FLORILEGIO

Another legend and an absolute sweetheart—Cristina Celestino.

Cristina unveiled a personal project ‘Florilegio’, which rediscovers and puts a new spring on the hidden gems and/ or most iconic Milanese interiors.

HERMÈS

Nothing not amazing, Hermès unveiled their latest collections for the home with another sublime installation at La Pelota.

The monumental glowing structures, inspired by brutalist water towers, capture the idea of Lightness, and were constructed from timber frames wrapped in translucent rice paper. So good, it hurts.

DIMORE GALLERY

Luka “eating the light” that’s streaming through the shutters at Dimore Gallery on Via Solferino.

The brooding atmosphere inside Dimore Gallery was accompanied by a signature edgy and loud soundtrack, and lots of smoke that filled the entire space (yet somehow Nick managed to get this clean shot).

H+O GALLERY

H+O Apartment Gallery staged a show that brought together several brands under one roof, curated by Elisa Ossino and Josephine Akvama Hoffmeyer.

LUCIA EAMES

Luka is starting to lose it at this point, so he escapes by staging his own creative show.

The undiscovered legacy of Lucia Eames, daughter of the mid-century icons Charles and Ray Eames, was presented through her artworks and furniture pieces by her own children.

SPAZIO MAIOCCHI

Left: The giant puppets travelled from London to Milan for the launch of Toogood x Carhartt WIP clothing collaboration. Right: Cinema Tacchini introduced a re-edition of Mario Bellini’s modular sofa, Le Mura, within an immersive exhibition project by Formafantasma.

DOPPIA FIRMA

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council at Palazzo Litta.

The sixth edition of Doppia Firma at Palazzo Litta—a group show that facilitates a dialogue between contemporary design and artisanal excellence.

Textiles by Serena Confalonieri with ArtiJanus / ArtiJanas.

Left: Littargicous by Ferruccio Laviani with Leone Villari. Right: Specola by Zanellato/Bortotto with Incalmi.

Left: Sinbad by Kustaa Saksi for TextielMuseum/ TextielLab—see more here. Right: La casa palcoscenico cabinet by Ugo La Pietra with Intro.

Left: Vento screen by Hannes Peer with Del Savio 1910. Right: Palazzo Litta realness.

Left: Luka was definitely losing it at this point—tech was out, and the palazzo setting just adds to the whole vibe for me. Right: Moments of daily life in Milano.

LASVIT

Lasvit Sanctums show at Tanoha Milano.

Lasvit’s installation was accompanied by quirky performances during the press preview.

New from Lasvit—Frames by Mária Čulenová is a unique concept created especially for the exhibition.

Team Yellowtrace flatlining at Lasvit after a massive day.

LOUIS VUITTON

Louis Vuitton’s Objet Nomades celebrates its 10th anniversary.

BOFFI DE PADOVA

Everyday Life by Paul Smith X De Padova merges Smith’s distinctive use of colour and De Padova’s craftsmanship.

Left: New Erei Zone Sofa by Elisa Ossino. Right: De Padova showroom is always a delight with impeccable styling.

[Photography by Nick Hughes/ Yellowtrace.]