Launched in Milan in 1961, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile is the global benchmark event for the furnishing and design sector where the most dynamic and creative companies in the world go to showcase their creations. The 60th edition will be taking place in Milan from 7-12 June 2022.
We take a look at past and present.
1961
Cutting edge outdoor furniture design and style 60 years ago as seen on display at the inaugural Salone del Mobile. The bench on the left is very reminiscent of our own Sumba bench with its parallel lines and fork-like design.
1963
Ora, dov'è lo spazio espositivo Kinnell e Posch? In our dreams.
Lambretta. Italian elegance in abundance.
1975
Alain Delon sofa. Silk and boar leather, black and white, polished brass, copper and steel on light briarwood.
Interestingly, Alain Delon was an actor who wanted to be many other things so he became a furniture designer. This is his philosophy:
“All of life is circumstance, an idea unleashed from a thought or a dream, a desire that needs to come true. An encounter that makes everything real is so simple, it’s as plain as the nose on your face, you need an idea, and then need to will it."Furniture. We live with furniture, we share our lives with them like the being who shares his life with ours. That’s why I want and choose to create furniture I feel at ease with.”
1970
Tubo, by the very cool Joe Colombo. One of his most original pieces. The sections are secured with metal clips which can be re-arranged to form various lounging positions.
1982
Milano sofa by Jonathan de Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi.
1999
Kartell. They made a big splash in 1999 because they were celebrating 50 years in the business. It was also in acknowledgement of the hugely successful launch just 12 months earlier of the transparent La Marie chair by the notorious Philippe Starck.
2009
A feature of the 2009 edition was the sofa collection Fergana by Swedish designer Patricia Urquiola. The collection is made up of supremely comfortable, large-sized modular sofas which incorporates ancient weaving techniques of Uzbekistan.
2015
Nessy, by Cambeggi. If anyone ever tells you 'no' or 'it can't be done', don't listen.
In recent years the notable inclusion to the design ethos has been the theme of sustainability. It is the new tilt. Over 600 young designers under the age of 35 will express their identities and creative liberty during the 60th edition of Salone Del Mobile, and the balance of our environment will be at the center of their thinking.
2022
Pedro Franco, Underconstruction
Recovery and recycling of waste, improving the overall efficiency of production while highlighting the theme of environmental sustainability will be on display in abundance at the 2022 Salone Internazionale del Mobile.
Chaise longue by Terreform One and Genspace labs
This innovative duo have developed a ground breaking product known as Mycoform, a biological material made from wood shaving filler, gypsum, oatmeal and bacterial cellulose which is broken down by mycelium (fungus) and converted into a hard biopolymer suitable for building solid objects. And at the end of its life, Mycoform can be composted and returned to the earth to biodegrade naturally.
There is going to be so much interesting design on display, we just wish we were there to immerse ourselves in the experience, to be blown away, to be inspired in the flesh.
Salone Internazional del Mobile
Milano, Italy
7-12 June 2022