Milan Design Week 2019 - observations, shapes, forms etc

So we have talked about an overall introduction to the design week in Milan. That was already on Sunday. Then on Monday we talked about colours. It is now time for a post about shapes, form and materials. Here we go.

First I wanna talk about leather. It’s funny. Everywhere I read, people are talking about how the overall theme at the design week is about sustainability. In my eyes – no. Not really. I mean, one thing is clear. Leather is absolutely back. If we saw velvet as a majour fabric for upholstery earlier, we now see that everything (EVERYTHING) is in leather. All kinds of variations.

And leather is perhaps a durable material, and can absolutely be a waste product from the meat industry. But we shouldn’t eat meat. And why no vegan leather? I am quite sceptical to leather as a sustainable material.

So, everything is leather. Office chairs, sofas, etc. And a lot is dyed in a grey hue. Can you call is “Lufthansa grey”?

Leather at Studio Pepe.

Leather pillows at Articles.

It can obviously have a shiny vintage look.

Or feel a bit raw as here at Depadova.

Obviously sofas in leather.

And a lot in this “Lufthansa grey”

Details at the Campana sofa at Louis Vuitton.

Leather – but worked – as in weaving, could also be seen. But still leather.

And of course, one of the most instragrammed exhibitions from Milan was the installation made by Loewe. All leather. Not sustainable at all. But nice looking.

Finally, as part of this leather trend I want to include these lamps. This is actually plastics, but I am pretty sure that it is supposed to imitate leather belts. All for Flos. Above Studio Formafantasma.

And here brothers Bouroullec.

Second topic – white metal. Yes, copper and brass is out and instead we look at whiter metals. Above at the installation made by Joyn Studio for Hemma.

White metal at Dimore Studio and their installation.

This is from their second installation at Brera. Still white metal.

At Flou

Plenty of mirrors in white.

When looking at details, like legs, you realise that everyone is using crome. Here at Cappellini.

Crome lamp – and if you look closely a trendhunder in the image.

More details. If you want to make it woody, make it planky. Of course meaning that wood details are getting more like planks. Here new chairs by Patricia Urquiola for Kettel.

New bookshelf for Classicon

Paola Navone for Ethimo

The new chair by David Ericsson for Blå Station.

And finally Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen.

On another note – if you want to make a sofa or couch – make it low. The days are gone with high backseats and nice armrests. Instead expect a bulky, boxy feeling. Here a new sofa by Marcel Wanders for Moooi.

Diesel Living.

Almost done with these observations… Two more.

So we have concluded that brass and warmer metals are leaving and another expression we kind of associate with 2015-2018 is marble. Especially white marble. And yes, this is disappearing. Instead we will see versions of coloured stone of various forms. And again – noone is talking about the sustainable angle of these stone tables. Above Tacchini.