The Ultimate Comeback: Blue Hat’s Top Picks from MDW 2022
Source: salonemilano.it
MDW 2022 might be over, but design goes on and on!
After two years, Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone, welcomed us with an eventful schedule of design exhibitions, and launches. The fair's 60th anniversary was celebrated between June 6–12, 2022, with an emphasis on creativity and innovation. From all over the world, designers united to indulge in the beauty of the Italian city in one of the most frenetic times of the year for the creative industry. Not only did we see the newest product launches at the fair, but also participated in the ever-expanding immersive brought new inventiveness, new product debuts, and installations to the city's palazzos, courtyards, galleries, and industrial areas.
Main themes highlighted in this year’s works were sustainability, innovative usage and production techniques of alternative materials, virtual experiences and adaption of new technologies, as well as wellbeing at home and workplace. Exploring five design districts (Zona Tortona, Brera, Isola, 5Vie, Alcova) and also the main fair, we have gathered our highlights below:
Fuorisalone
It is ideal to stay within the city center and explore different areas if you’re curious to see the most recent designs by the up-and-coming designers and to explore top brands’ collaborations. Historical palazzos and the city's hidden gems open up to the public only during this short period of time to offer their rich interiors to brands and designers showcasing their work.
Looking for Lightness by Hermès
The challenge to gravity was expressed in the creation of four structures resembling water towers. The shapes’ backlights appeal as poetic colossus and a point of anchor for these little wonders of balance. Upon entering the small openings, visitors encountered different household items from decorative pieces to chairs and dinnerware, all precisely positioned to seek ‘lightness in the design of the object’.
Miss Dior by Philippe Starck
Philippe Starck and Dior unite to refine Christian Dior's Medallion Chair, now known as Miss Dior as a tribute to femininity. "Miss Dior" chairs were shown under individual spotlights to create a very dynamic aesthetic, which changed in sync with Eric Satie’s famous “Gymnopédie”.
Cinque Elementi by Saviola
Saviola was celebrating their first 100% recycled wood collection “Elemento 2.0” by showcasing the recycling and upcycling processes through an interactive space that appeals to visitors’ all senses.
Connect to Extraordinary by Haier
With a concept revolving around the future of the home, Haier showcased their innovative home appliances and the amenities that come with them. Their products reflect the perfect combination of technology, connection, and design. Through AI technology they attained the goal of enhancing customer experience and reducing the impact on nature.
Divine Inspiration by Lee Broom
The collection showcases six new ethereal lighting products, styles ranging from antiquity to brutalism, inspired by places of worship. Divine Inspiration takes the visitors on a holistic journey that resembles the hallowed places through the space design, curation of the products, smell, sound and even the uniforms of the incumbents.
Monumental Wonders by Sabine Marcelis & OMA for SolidNature
This impressive installation spanned across five rooms at Alcova’s Lavanderia building demonstrates a range of innovative strategies for the manipulation of natural and semi-precious stones. In the ‘Lab Room’ visitors were invited to learn different techniques of working with this new material, explore the possibilities through experimentation shows and material displays
Energy Park by Carlo Ratti & Italo Rota
500 meters of copper pipes have been used to create an energy generating sculpture park at the heart of Milan. Visitors were able to explore different types of sustainable and renewable energy such as solar power and kinetic energy. The electricity that is generated is stored with the help of a network of small batteries and used to illuminate the garden at night.
Salone del Mobile
Salone del Mobile has been one of the leading design events since 1961, has helped to make the city of Milan burst with creativity and innovation year after year. The event still continues to connect the design ecosystem which consists of interior designers, galleries, craftsmanship, furnishing and design enthusiasts. Spread across 24 halls, the fair hosts the most comprehensive display of lifestyle exhibitions, launches, and collaborations.
Glas Italia
Glas Italia pushed the limits of working with a material super fragile as glass and created a collection in collaboration with star designers such as Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby, Piero Lissoni, Inga Sempé, Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola and Yabu Pushelberg.
Kartel Re-Chair powered by Illy
Two top Italian brands have come together to contribute to the sustainability of the planet by promoting a production model based on the circular economy. Re-chair is made from recycled Illy Iperespresso coffee capsules and is the first in a series of products that will eventually form a collection.
Salone Satellite
Following a three-year break, Salone Satellite made quite a comeback for its 23rd edition. Linking up-and-coming designers in a prominent spot at the fair's entry. With a special emphasis on inclusive design that promotes ‘autonomy, comfort, movement, usability, interaction and safety for all’. Exhibitors adhered to the theme of "Designing for our Future Selves."
After a 3-year hiatus, this year's fair represented a hopeful return to normalcy and has made quite an impressive comeback. We now only look forward to next year’s greater event!
