Before we head to Milan for the Salone di Mobile 2014 TOMORROW(!!!), I want to add this post on my last year trip (!). I know, it is too late, it slipped my mind, too much work but hey, here it is, and in the coming weeks, you can expect a lot more from the Milan Design Week 2014!
Consider it as a small ‘WARMING up’, okay?
A design trip to Milano is always combining business (so they call it) and pleasure. Our annual mission? Check out the ‘Salone di Mobile’ vibe that goes around in Italy.
We have some strict schedule to attempt. Flying All Italia is our first step. Leave at 9:45, arrive in Milano Linate 11:45. Great.
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We popped in to Roel, my former colleague and friend at the Linate airport. We used to work together at this international ad agency, and I’m still glad to see him. Roel off to a Coca-Cola meeting, me and Ivan off to our next pit stop: our (not so)affordable hotel.
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During the fair every hostel, hotel or grand luxury Palace Hotel Doubles, or let’s say triples their prices, and nobody complains.
That’s the way it is, and if you don’t agree, you should stay home.
So, pitstop Nr° 2 at Hotel Zurigo. A very central place to stay, and we got upgraded. XL room with huge bathroom. Thanks, much appreciated.
Do not take breakfast in the hotel, just like nearly everywhere in Milano, the breakfast sucks. http://www.hotelzurigo.com
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Quickly pack my bag ( my so called dog), a white lama from Belgian label Essentiel. Loved by many. I understand.
Next stop, ALWAYS right after arriving in Milano is super store Corso Como at Corso Como 10.
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Try the advocado salat, only with some extra virgin olive oil and some pepper. Magnifico.
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HM upscale label “And Others Stories” has, off course what did you expect, a beauty corner at Corso Como. Picture below: typical Corso Como style of merchandising: mini shop corners, designer-by-designer and all the names that matter for the moment. http://www.10corsocomo.com
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For the first year so omni-present: the city bike.
Normally the Italian way to cruise trough the city is a vespa, but as the hype spread to all cosmopolitan cities, Milan joins the pack. A nice way of promoting your brand new bike design too.
Not only designer folks, the streets are filled with colorful birds, see picture below.
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http://www.blog.californiabakery.it
The Californian Bakery, an international concept of baked goods, in a nice cosy environment. Sweet pies, cheesecake and other typical US rooted sweet treats! |
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The Milan design crowd outside the incredible popular Bar Basso. Every night, mostly belgian designers and their posse gather at Basso for drinks, networking and Milan flirting. http://www.barbasso.com/index.php/en/
Great work from (again) Studio Droog for the opening of the Dutch Rijksmuseum last year. Based on paintings of old masters, this scene of a restaurant was set up with beautiful glassware, table wear and furniture inspired by Rembrandt.
https://www.droog.com
Ah, la grande dame du fashion film: Diane Pernet from ASVOFF visiting the Eindhoven Design School exhibit. So did we.
Another ‘grande dame’ of the International trends scene: Li Edelkoort with her posse. I love her looks, her vision and since we had a good talk some months ago in London I’m even more convinced about our mutual point of view: Trend people like us, need to use their skills and intuition to start talking with companies and other power stations to start changing the world, little by little. I’m with you LI!
One of my absolute favorite items of the entire Design Fair! Designer Umberto Dattola and his label EVNI. An amazing dream versus madness art installation
I lobbed this “Fish restaurant” by Studio Droog, as I do with a lot of their work!
The typical Chinese restaurant with it’s required fish tank has been inverted. Now it’s the fish tank that hosts a miniature table setting instead. For the fish. Great 3D design exercise and typical Droog design humor.
https://www.droog.com
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More and brand new trend views next weeks, as we come back from the Milan Design Week 2014. Arrivederci!
Kate
©All photos by Kate en Ivan Stockman-Missinne of The Squid Stories