Salone Preview: A First Look at the News From Milan Design Week
Designer Faye Toogood’s Esquisses collection for Parisian brand Maison Matisse, debuting during Milan Design Week. Photo: Genevieve Lutkin/Maison Matisse By Sarah Medford April 15, 2023 11:00 am ET When it comes to putting on a design show, the city of Milan can be the great equalizer, making room within its ancient neighborhoods and grand piazzas for the first-time exhibitors, the one-off projects and the distant dispatches beside legacy Italian furniture brands and giants like Google and Audi. They all see the annual Salone del Mobile furniture fair and concurrent Milan Design Week events, which run April 17–23 this year, as a testing ground and audience builder. But for visitors, a trip to the show offers more than just inspiration: It’s a veiled excuse for sourcing innovative furnishings and objects for projects bac
Designer Faye Toogood’s Esquisses collection for Parisian brand Maison Matisse, debuting during Milan Design Week.
Photo: Genevieve Lutkin/Maison Matisse
By
Sarah Medford
When it comes to putting on a design show, the city of Milan can be the great equalizer, making room within its ancient neighborhoods and grand piazzas for the first-time exhibitors, the one-off projects and the distant dispatches beside legacy Italian furniture brands and giants like Google and Audi. They all see the annual Salone del Mobile furniture fair and concurrent Milan Design Week events, which run April 17–23 this year, as a testing ground and audience builder.
But for visitors, a trip to the show offers more than just inspiration: It’s a veiled excuse for sourcing innovative furnishings and objects for projects back home. Lighting will be a major focus this year, as the Euroluce fair makes its biennial visit, and young designers will be well-represented at the Alcova and Superdesign presentations. Among the debuts, we’re looking forward to the Teatro Albers installation from AMO, a direct-to-consumer venture with experimental roots; and a showing of real advances in the use of sustainable materials, from denim to upcycled glass. Below, some highlights of the week ahead.
Gio Ponti’s Dezza chair, produced by Poltrona Frau.
Photo: Poltrona Frau
Gio Ponti Seating for Poltrona Frau
Designed in 1965, Gio Ponti’s Dezza armchair for Poltrona Frau was ahead of its time, with modular construction and bladelike front and back legs. Almost six decades later, the company has re-issued Dezza (also available as a sofa) in a vintage Ponti textile that echoes its swooping curves. From about $5,930, available to order from April 18; PoltronaFrau.com.
Faye Toogood’s furnishings for Maison Matisse.
Photo: Genevieve Lutkin
Faye Toogood Furnishings for Maison Matisse
British designer Faye Toogood takes the ink sketches of Henri Matisse as a departure point for Esquisses, a new furniture, rug and accessory collection. Working with Maison Matisse, a young Paris company with family ties to the artist, Toogood lets fluid, spooling lines rather than color inspire her, with sophisticated results. From about $490, available to order from April 18; Maison-Matisse.com.
Mathieu Matégot’s Satellite lighting, produced by Gubi.
Photo: Gubi
Mathieu Matégot Lighting for Gubi
In 1953, when Hungarian-French designer Mathieu Matégot designed his Satellite pendant and standing lamp, the results were a whimsical, retro-futurist novelty. Now re-introduced and adapted for outdoor use, the Satellite collection is also a clever LED-powered alternative to harsh contemporary terrace lighting, thanks to its metal-mesh globes in soft cream or gold. From $1,000, available now; Gubi.com.
Lex Pott’s Drop table for Vero.
Photo: Vero
Lex Pott Table for Vero
Niche designs, small production runs, direct-to-consumer web sales: These are the markers of a new generation of brands changing the international furniture landscape. One of them, Vero (based in Milan, with production in Puglia), is bringing a wood table called Drop to the fair. Envisioned by Dutch designer Lex Pott to be light and versatile, it’s a dollop of meringue waiting to be eaten. From $310, available from April 17; VeroInternational.com.
Armani/Casa textured Shinjuku wallcovering.
Photo: Armani/Casa
Armani/Casa Wallcovering
The DNA of Milanese power brand Armani/Casa has been consistent over the years, decoding classic Asian themes every few seasons with tweaks and advances. Shinjuku, a durable matte-finish wall surface, has a textured weave that evokes Japanese tatami carpets. It’s shown here with the label’s furniture, lighting, floor covering and accessories. About $525 for a ten-meter roll, available to order now; ArmaniCasa.com.
Tableware from La DoubleJ, including pieces from the Napoli collection.
Photo: Barbara Franzo/La DoubleJ
La DoubleJ Porcelain
Translating vintage-inspired patterns into jubilant fashion and homeware collections has been La DoubleJ founder J.J. Martin’s obsession for years now. The porcelain in the brand’s new Napoli range has been hand-finished in Verona, but it sends a sunny, Bay-of-Naples message when layered over a lemon-print tablecloth. From $160 for a set of two dessert plates, available now; LaDoubleJ.com.
Robert Stadler’s Juicy Josef stool for Carwan Gallery.
Photo: Filippo Telaro/Carwan Gallery
Robert Stadler Stool for Carwan Gallery
Packing a big message into a tiny package is child’s play for designer Robert Stadler, who takes on the genetic games GMOs perform with our food in his Juicy Josef stool, evoking a perfectly square slice of watermelon in hand-painted ceramic from Bitossi Ceramiche. Limited edition, price on request, available now; CarwanGallery.com.
Edgar Jayet chair and stool for Sofia Zevi.
Photo: Sofia Zevi Gallery
Edgar Jayet Furniture for Sofia Zevi
Two Venice-based artisans have partnered on an inventive stool and corner chair that offer familiar comforts in a slightly exaggerated form—a masterful mix of old and new. The seating, by young French designer Edgar Jayet, features both inwardly and outwardly tapering arms and seat rails; Chiarastella Cattana’s nubby textile is a deft white-on-white weave. From about $9,000, available from April 18; SofiaZevi.com.
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