A TRIP TO SALONE DEL MOBILE: THE WORLD’S BEST DESIGN FAIR
Revered as one of the world’s most impressive and comprehensive furniture and design shows, Salone del Mobile is held annually in Milan in April. Lane Crawford’s Creative Director for Home and Lifestyle, Ross Urwin, chats about who and what caught his eye this year, and what to expect next season…
Q: Tell us about your trip…
A: I visited Salone del Mobile 2010, the biggest international furniture fair in Milan, and found that the key theme this year was the emphasis on making design available to everyone. The trend is about quality pieces at good prices, while using new technologies and eco-sustainable materials, to reach more customers.
Q: So the direction is more about the buyers now, than the designers?
A: This year was all about individualism, about how people do not want to be dictated by brands or designers and how they want to choose merchandise that matches their individual personality. So, they are looking for pieces for their home that say something about them.
Q: Did you spot any design trends?
A: Influential designers are no longer designing for design’s sake. Quality, value for money, functionality, longevity and beautiful design are the new principles for 2010. For the first time in many years, designers have had to go back to basics and think outside the box to create merchandise that is unique and dynamic, while also being commercially viable and functional.
Q: Which designer or brand impressed you the most?
A: Rich Brilliant Willing! Based in Brookyln, New York, this trio of young designers is full of raw energy and excitement — the exact kind of energy that’s been missing from Salone for a few years now. These designers are working with a few different design brands, and I particularly love their new lamp, which we’ll introduce next season at Lane Crawford. And, as always, Mororso did not let us down. They had amazing pieces at their stand too.
Q: Any new brands or upcoming designers that we should look out for?
A: Jaime Hayon’s new range of vases, in dark poetic colours, for Gaia and Gino were fascinating. To me, he is the present-day Picasso and every design he creates is amazing and full of upbeat positive energy.
Q: And what products would you love to buy?
A: I really liked the Established & Sons dining chair. Its form, shape, workmanship and general comfort level was amazing. Also, the Brazilian Campana Brothers’ chandelier for Venini was iconic, creative and innovative.
Q: How would you describe the upcoming Home & Lifestyle collection for next season?
A: The main themes that sum up our next season’s buy are various moods and sentiments: uplifting, reinvention, creature comforts, optimism, fusion, plus “unconventional and transforming.”
