Milan Design Week is fast approaching, and things will understandably look a little different in Italy this year. Instead of a grand Salone del Mobile showcase, Supersalone will be a one-time event held September 5 to 10, providing design aficionados access to a scaled-down version of the world’s biggest furniture fair.
Of course, there will be lots of other fun, design-minded happenings around town to consider checking out. So pack your bags, grab your masks, and bookmark this page for the firsthand scoop on all the stops this market editor will be making while she’s in Milan. Buon viaggio!
LOGISTICS
Admissions: Tickets to Supersalone can only be purchased online, and are limited to one ticket per order, so make sure to register for yours ahead of time and coordinate with friends and colleagues accordingly.
Safety guidelines: To access the fairgrounds, you’ll need to present at least one of the following: a certificate of vaccination (even with the first dose only), proof of a negative test during the previous 48 hours, or a certificate proving that you’ve recovered from Covid-19 within the last six months. Masks are mandatory at all times on the fairgrounds, so don’t even think about walking out the door without one.
Getting to the fair: The main show is located at Fiera Milano in Rho (SS del Sempione, 28), a 30-minute subway ride from the city center on the M1 (red) line. Make sure to purchase a standard ticket, since you’ll be riding the train to the very last stop. Or do yourself a favor and buy a round-trip ticket so that you don’t have to wait in line again after a long day of walking around the fair.
Food and drink: The specially curated Identità Golose Food Court will highlight renowned Italian chefs, including Massimo Bottura and Paolo Brunelli. Just remember to grab lunch early—the restaurants at Fiera Milano have been known to run out of options by mid-afternoon!
AT THE FAIR
Italian furniture company Poltrona Frau unveils a carefully curated exhibit of highlights from its past collections, offering a nostalgic look at some of the 100-year-old brand’s most iconic pieces. (Pavilion 2, Lane A28)
Contemporary Italian lighting brand Lodes showcases several of its latest designs, including the JIM suspension lamp by multidisciplinary French designer Patrick Norguet, the Aile wall lamp by renowned Italian designer Luca Nichetto, and the Cima suspended lamp by Vienna-based Marco Dessí. (Pavilion 2, Gangway 23)
Barcelona-based company Nanimarquina launches its new collection, Formula Contract, which features an assortment of highly functional and flexible rugs designed specifically for commercial projects. (Pavilion 2, Stand B23)
Fantini USA debuts Sailing, a naval-inspired bath fixtures collection created in collaboration with Toronto- and New York–based design firm Yabu Pushelberg. (Pavilion 2, Stand E27)
Effe exhibits its latest wellness project, Yoku Spa, designed by Marco Williams Fagioli. The state-of-the-art sauna system is composed of heat-treated wood and features an integrated shower and hammam steam to boot. (Pavilion 2, C 26)
Spanish furnishings brand Andreu World debuts two fresh designs, including the eco-friendly Nuez Lounge Bio by Patricia Urquiola and a new chair from its first-ever collaboration with Philippe Starck. (Pavilion 4, Stand F06)
The exhibition “Take Your Seat: Solitude and Conviviality of the Chair,” curated by Nina Bassoli, will highlight more than 80 chairs that have won or gained honorable mention in the Compasso d'Oro program. (Throughout the four pavilions)
Designer Marc Ange unveils a new velvet-covered version of his famous peacock-inspired Il Pavone Throne at the Visionnaire exhibit. (Pavilion 4, C01)
Ceramics of Italy showcases a variety of innovative new tile products from an assortment of different brands throughout Pavilion 4, including Ceramica Francesco De Maio (Pavilion 4, Stand F 02) and Infinity (Pavilion 4, Stand O 09).
A special exhibit called “The Lost Graduation Show” will highlight 170 student projects hailing from 48 design schools in 22 countries across five continents. (Throughout the four pavilions)
AROUND TOWN
French furnishings brand Pierre Frey unveils three fresh furniture collections designed in collaboration with Guillaume Delvigne, Daniel Rous and Christophe Delcourt inside its new (and first-ever) Milan showroom. (Via Fatebenefratelli, 3)
Tom Dixon Studio hosts a luminosity exhibition featuring its latest collections, including the Melt chandeliers and Press lights, at its restaurant, showroom and shop, The Manzoni. (Via Alessandro Manzoni, 5)
Artemest presents a curated exhibition of bespoke artisanal pieces inspired by water, called AQVA, at the Senato Hotel Milano. (Via Senato, 22)
Cassina introduces its new collection, including a fresh line of furniture pieces geared toward the workplace and hospitality sector. (Via Durini, 16)
Design and art museum Triennale di Milano hosts an exhibit called “Il Salone/La Città,” which highlights the rich cultural and intertwined histories of Milan and the Salone show. (Viale Alemagna, 6)
New York–based carpet company Fort Street Studio unveils the latest additions to its Thai Silk collection at L’Artigianato. (Piazza Castello, 11)
The Barovier & Toso showroom showcases its recently introduced Opéra light by French designer Philippe Nigro. The distinctive fixture features multifaceted prisms created using the company’s iconic rostrato technique, which involves shaping each and every crystal by hand. (Via Durini, 5)
Carl Hansen & Son launches three new designs at Foro Buonaparte, including the T-chair by Ole Wanscher and the Plico chair by Danish duo Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm. (18/A Via Arco, 4)
The Elle Decor–commissioned “La Casa Fluida” exhibit explores the concept of fluid, interconnected home environments and features designs from brands including Boffi | De Padova, Lodes, Marazzi, Technogym and more. (Palazzo Bovara, Corso Venezia, 51)
Danish textile firm Kvadrat presents its latest collections, including a collaboration with British graphic designer Peter Saville called Technicolour, and a new residential showroom by Vincent Van Duysen Architects in Corso Monforte. (Corso Monforte, 15)
Tuscany-based stone manufacturer Salvatori introduces its newest collections designed in collaboration with Stephen Burks, Piero Lissoni, Patricia Urquiola and Elisa Ossino. The series takes place in the brand’s freshly redesigned showroom, which underwent a complete makeover to showcase its latest offerings. (Via Solferino, 11)
Homepage photo: Rendering of the SuperSalone fair | Courtesy of Salone del Mobile.Milano
