There are so many reasons for visiting Milan… You can admire the famous Duomo di Milano, while drinking negroni in one of the cafes at the top of Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II, you can stay in a prestigious hotel, sip Aperol Spritz in charming cafeterias in Piazza del Duomo, or try the best risotto in Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone restaurant.
All the designer pilgrims from all over the world come to Milan in April for one reason only – to visit the largest and the greatest furniture fair – Salone del Mobile.Milano.
Those who found themselves in Milano in the last few days, in the period between April 17th to 22nd to be exact, and we were among the privileged ones, have visited the 57th edition of the most important furniture fair, Salone del Mobile.Milano 2018 and found themselves in the maze of exhibition pavilions.
It is not possible to retell paraphrase the sensation you get when you step on to the fair area, Fiera Milano. With many exhibitors coming from Italy and other world countries, you become torn with only one thought – how to see everything that you find interesting?
Curiosity didn’t kill the cat this time, so we managed to see all the settings.
We noticed many different stylistic approaches – from organic to classical, pure forms and fantasies.
Common characteristic of all trends in interiors is finding the narrative value of objects and their ability to create life in make-belief ambiances, while telling their own stories.
Furniture, lamps, home textile and décor, adapt to your mood, and in this year, the main trend in interior design in to please the eyes of the viewer. Innovation, style and trend are native language, which everyone uses on Salone del Mobile fair.
The data show us that during this 57th edition, an extremely positive result was achieved, both in term of attendance and the quality of trade relations, which only further confirms its power of attraction and capacity.
434,509 attendees, in 6 days, from 188 different countries, made for a 17% increase compared to the 2016 edition, which last featured the biennial kitchen and bathroom exhibitions, and an increase of 26% compared with the 2017 edition.
This edition has managed to show us that Salone del Mobile is not just some ordinary furniture exhibition, but rather a demonstration of how business culture and team work within the sectors, combined with creative and productive fabric, can be catalysts of excellence.
“We are extremely proud of the success of this event and of the level of professionals who have come to this edition, proving that the Salone del Mobile is a global benchmark. A unique event, in which business and culture become the virtual model for an Italy that functions, where the industrial system and the institutions are working in sync towards a common goal”, said President of the Salone del Mobile Claudio Luti.
“Over the last few days we have witnessed the very best creativity, products and capacity for innovation and narration – showcased by displays with all the evocative power and enchantment of the very best theatrical sets. This means that we are now ready to start thinking about the next edition, with even greater commitment to maintaining our acknowledged leadership of identity and values and responding to business and market demands”.
Recognition of the importance of Salone del Mobile and furniture sector was again confirmed with attendance of senior government and institutional figures, stating the fact that Salone is one of the drivers of Italian economy, thanks to its fruitful relation between businesses, city and the region, which it further develops year after year.
Enthusiasm and desire of all involved actors involved in preserving the central value of event on the international furniture and design scene, were accentuated more than ever before.
1,841 exhibitors, 27% of them from 33 other countries, showcased their products at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition, plus the 650 designers under 35 featured at SaloneSatellite – three of whom were presented with the SaloneSatellite Award.
Within SaloneSatellite, awards for best design are given, as well as an ideal opportunity for young people to begin their work in this sector. This year, the jury had chosen three projects which are different than the others because of the message they transfer, focusing not only on the formal impression of their design, but their sustainability, communicativeness, interactivity and playfulness as well.
First prize went to Cucina Leggera (Light Kitchen) by Stefano Carta Vasconcellos from Italy and it present a kitchen which can be put together by connecting seven elements, without screws or any hardware whatsoever.
The second prize, Tink Things, went to Croatian designer brand, which deals with developing sensory furniture for children, with the use of therapeutic principles, while the third prize went to a Japanese design- Soft Block by Yuri Himuro and it presents decorative home objects, like a block toy.
Emanuele Orsini, President of FederlegnoArredo and Federlegno Arredo Eventi had this to say: "This has been an extraordinary edition that has seen the companies’ efforts to promote the very best Italian design pay off during the most important week of the year. All the political movers who have visited over the last few days have confirmed their support for the wood-furnishing sector, which is crucial for the growth of this country, and have underscored the need to put industrial organic, effective industrial policies into action; these are crucial for a pillar of Made in Italy which alone accounts for 5% of GDP. We hope that the success of the Salone del Mobile will act as a further spur for the growth of our companies, which are all set to take on the market challenges with renewed vigour.”
Living Nature Project. La natura dell’abitare created in partnership with international design and innovation studio Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA), was a great success. Located opposite of Palazzo Reale, in Piazza del Duomo, this project lasted until April 25th and in average, it had around 2.000 visitors per day. As an ideal continuation of the Salone, located in the city center, this was a unique laboratory which combines design, engineering and botany, and it was the only one of its kind we’ve ever visited.
Once the exhibition-installation has closed, the Salone del Mobile.Milano will be gifting the splendid greenery of all four seasons to the City of Milan: twenty-three species of tall tree – including a Himalayan Birch, a Japanese Flowering Crab Apple, a Common Alder and a Persian Ironwood – along with flourishing beds of typical plants and flowers.
Two special occasions served to underscore the Salone’s ties with the city of Milan and its strategic partnership with the Municipality of Milan. The Gala Dinner in the Sala delle Cariatidi, which opened Salone week, and the great party at Palazzo Marino, hosted by the Mayor, Giuseppe Sala and conceived by Claudio Luti to celebrate the end of the business event, to which Salone exhibitors and protagonists were invited.
We are already eagerly awaiting the next, 58th edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano, which will be held between April 9th and 14th 2019.
