Milan Rewind
Missing Milan Design Week?
Milan Design Week is an endless source of inspiration for us, it's where the Colour Hive and MIX team get to spend time away together thinking and talking about our favourite subject- design.
So, needless to say, we’re feeling quite nostalgic, and thinking of the designers who aren't able to show, and the collections we’re all missing.
However, the isolation situation is also a perfect opportunity for a little reflection, so we’ve taken a moment to revisit our favourite memories of Milan Design Week from recent years.
Alongside the fantastic Italian gastronomy (and the spritzes), Milan is before anything a feast for the eyes, so here's a selection of pictures taken by our team during the last four editions.
#stayathome & enjoy!
2019
Pop references and saturated mid tones took centre stage in this maximalist paradise.
It was love at first sight with Oddmatter’s furniture pieces, displayed at Nilufar Gallery.
Odd Matter | Nilufar Gallery
A perfectly curated space, Les Arcanistes was a treat for both the eyes and the mind.
Les Arcanistes | Studiopepe
The volcanic ash-glazed tiles born from this collaboration are a masterclass in earthy tones.
ExCinere | Dzek x Formafantasma
An eclectic collection of beautifully crafted objects in collaboration with various designers.
Objets Nomades | Louis Vuitton
The Tense furniture collection was not only light and practical, the electric blue colour also caught our eye.
Panter&Tourron | Alcova Milano
The large-scale installation displayed this new versatile material and the applications possibilities it offers.
Aesthetically and technically outstanding, the collection of luxury surfaces was exhibited at Spazio Rossana Orlandi.
Bethan Gray x Nature Squared | Spazio Rossana Orlandi
2018
An eye-catching large-scale installation made of mirror panels amplified our awareness of the 16th century architecture of the palazzo.
Hidden Senses reminded us that discreet technology can improve our daily lives in an unnoticeable way.
Hidden Senses | Sony
Who would have thought blown discarded plastic pipes would look so striking when rethought as vases?
Plastic Blowing Project | Kodai Iwamoto | Ventura Future
Real solutions for how we live, work and interact in our cities, demonstrated in perfect pastel shades.
Built by all | Mini Living x Studiomama
Made of recycled polyurethane, these vessels appealed for both their texture and colour combinations.
Charlotte Kidger | CSM Material Futures | Ventura Future
We became obsessed with this lightweight and malleable material made of connected laser-cut paper layers.
Paper Skin | Hiroki Furukawa | Lexus Design Award
2017
A moment of pure poetry … We could have stared at these gently moving silicone jellyfish vases for hours.
Nendo’s calm sanctuary was a welcome visual break in a hectic day.
This wonderful use of colour and graphics made us want to adopt contemporary stained glass pieces.
We immersed ourselves in these Kit Miles maximalist floral and botanical patterns, covering wall to ceiling of the Moooi showroom.
An innovative and unexpectedly aesthetically pleasing material saw hair fused onto metal.
The Colour of Hair | Studio Ilio | Martijn Rigters
The exquisite craftmanship of Siwa was much in evidence in this poetic installation of folded paper flowers.
Siwa | Spazio Rossana Orlandi
2016
Halfway between architecture and design, these perfectly executed floor lamps delivered a tamed light.
Space Frames | Studio Mieke Meijer
A large scale installation of colour and light, perfectly demonstrating the material properties of glass.
What appeared to be droplets suspended in thin air were on closer inspection, watch parts on wires, creating ever changing patterns as the viewer passed through.
An office furniture collection in one single shade of warm grey turned out to be anything but boring.
The Boring Collection | Lensvelt | Space Encounters
A moment of peace in the buzzing Zona Tortona, perfectly designed by Studio Formafantasma for Lexus.
An Encounter with Anticipation | Formafantasma | Lexus Design Award
Transposing the lacquering technique used by Lexus on their cars to stools allowed us to appreciate the reflective quality of the material.
An Encounter with Anticipation | Formafantasma | Lexus Design Award
If you would like to find out more about the projects pictured above, the full reports of these editions of Milan Design Week can be found in MIX Magazine issues 44, 48, 52 and 56. Become a Colour Hive member today for digital access to our archive issues.
We look forward to reporting for you again from Milan next year. In the meantime, stay safe and #stayathome.