Described as a city where design never sleeps, Milan is host to the Salone del Mobile, the largest global design exhibition held annually each April. In 1961, Salone del Mobile was founded by a handful of Italian furniture manufacturers to promote exports and to recognise Italy for its design finesse and manufacturing prowess. Today over 160 countries are represented exhibiting furniture, fabrics, finishes, flooring, window coverings, lighting, kitchens and bathrooms; everything imaginable for home interiors. Further boosting the regional economy during the six-day official event term, Milan inner city hotels are sold out 12 months prior; restaurants and nightlife hot spots are a buzz; and airline tickets are at a premium.
Setting an all-time attendance record, this year over 350,000 paid visitors graced the fairgrounds. Predominately a trade-only event, Salone del Mobile is attended by Italian and international architects; product and interior designers; manufacturers and suppliers; students and the media – all questing for a greater knowledge of the trends in design.
Biennially there are satellite specialty exhibitions – even-numbered years it is EuroCucina, kitchen and bathrooms; and odd-numbered years it is Euroluce focused on light technology. This year was EuroCucina with six of the 20 pavilions devoted to kitchen and bathroom exhibitors and one pavilion solely focused on new technologies; and kitchen-related appliances and fixtures. Viewing EuroCucina in its entirety takes two to three days circumnavigating the pavilions – arriving daily as the gates open at 9:30am and leaving at 6:00pm; not accounting for missed turns and retraced steps despite the explicitly informative guide books provided.
Salone del Mobile purposely showcases innovative and cutting-edge design. That said, not all products exhibited come to fruition as manufacturers use the exhibition as a test market: the more popular a product, the more likely it is realised.
As humongous as Salone del Mobile is in its geographical footprint and its number of exhibitors, it is the tip of the proverbial design iceberg. For every Salone del Mobile showroom there are two showrooms located in the city that participate under the umbrella of Milan Design Week. As if 20 pavilions were not enough – top-tier brands fit out palatial inner-city villas to showcase their products in a compelling residential setting to host gala-events, cocktail parties and product launches. For many a novice visitor to Salon del Mobile and Milan Design Week, the private showrooms are serendipitously discovered to the delight and dismay of the visitor toward the week’s end.
If trending designs tickles your interest, please tune into our next story covering emerging trends gleaned from Salone del Mobile and its world-class brands, manufacturers and top-notch designers.
No comments:
Post a Comment