Are you heading to the Milan Furniture Fair this year? Join Indesign as we cover the world’s largest furniture fair, and check out our picks for the best in international and Asian design, on show in Milan.

The 55^th edition of Salone del Mobile, the world’s largest furniture fair, is fast approaching. The event was originally launched in 1961 to promote exports from Italy’s finest design outfits, but grew to become one of the most important international design showcases. Hosted in historic Milan, Salone is a stage for the best in design – luminaries from around the globe exhibit new ideas and exciting collaborations, while design enthusiasts and industry kingpins descend upon the city to spot serious emerging talent.

The Indesign team is excited to uncover the splendours of Salone in 2016, and will be sharing the best with you as it all unfolds in Milan from 12 April. From the Rho Fairgrounds, to luxury shop fronts and iconic palazzos, here are the events, exhibitions and features of the sprawling fair that we can’t wait to see.

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Asian designers on show

Naturally, we are drawn to inspiring Asian designs and talent on show at Milan. Singapore-based brand Industry+ makes its debut at Milan Design Week this year. Founded in 2014, the brand works with forward-thinking young designers from Asia, exploring manufacturing and craft in the region. The products under Industry+ combine industrial production with artisanal craftsmanship. They are utilitarian in nature, and also highly collectable. The new range of products by Jun Yasumoto, KIMU Design, Anon Pairot, Studio Juju and more will be shown at Spazio Maria Calderara, Via Lazzaretto 15, Milano. Industry+ will also be collaborating on a special exhibition titled alamak! Design in Asia, to be held at the XXI Triennale International Exhibition Milan.

Ebisu by Jun Yasumoto

New/Old Divider by KIMU Design

Tom Dixon and Caesarstone

British lighting and furniture designer with a fondness for copper, Tom Dixon will be returning to Milan this year to present an exciting collaboration with Caesarstone. The multi-sensory creation titled The RESTAURANT consists of four conceptual kitchens inspired by the elements – earth, fire, water and air.

Set within a 17th century Cloister encircling a public garden and a deconsecrated church, each kitchen will feature a variety of colours and materials that complement the mood and atmosphere of each element.

Tom Dixon X Caesarstone

Lexus Exhibition

Following the theme of ‘anticipation’, visitors to this exhibition will experience a unique collaboration between designers Formafantasma, and rising culinary star chef Yoji Tokuyoshi. Prototypes for the Lexus Design Award will also be on display – including TRACE, a unique clock that uses a liquid with UV rays and discolouration properties to visualise passing time

Nendo

Fusing symbolic magna comics with furniture design, Nendo will present an exhibition called 50 magna chairs. Just as the comics are presented as a series of frames on a single sheet of paper to create a sequence, Nendo’s presentation will feature 50 standard chairs lined up in a grid, each with some kind of emotional cue affixed as a design element: speech bubbles, sweat, tears and effect lines.

50 magna chairs

Kid’s furniture For Kartell

Still on Nendo, we’ll be keen to see their partnership with Kartell on a new kid’s product. H-horse is inspired by the steel H-beams used in large structures such as skyscrapers and bridges. In cross-section, they are shaped literally like a ‘H’ and it is this characteristic that gives the structure its mechanical strength. By applying this concept directly to a child’s rocking horse, a form as been created that displays both function and strength, even with a minimum use of materials.

H-horse

Moooi presents The Unexpected Welcome

For the fourth time running, Moooi will transform Via Savona 56 into an immersive universe of creativity, within a mysterious, dark ballroom. The exhibition will feature oversized prints by award winning photographer Rebecca Bathory, as well as 22 pieces from Moooi’s latest collection.

Salone del Mobile Milano 2016
salonemilano.it