Milan Design Week 2023 Puts Craft, Salvage, and Sustainability in the Spotlight

Milan Design Week 2023 made a triumphant return to its full pre-pandemic glory, transforming Milan into a hub of creativity with a myriad of exhibitions, installations, and projects. “Fuorisalone,” the city-wide events network running alongside the main trade show, showcased innovative ideas spanning home furnishings to socially-driven projects, emphasizing sustainable design, circular economy, material innovation, and the fusion of craft with innovation.

Contemporary Craft: Marrying Tradition with Technology

In response to the dominance of artificial intelligence in the design realm, many creators embraced traditional craftsmanship, incorporating new technologies and 3D printing. “Tools & Crafts,” held at Fondazione Riccardo Catella, featured UK-based Woven Memories presenting hand-woven cushions integrating digital coding. Lebanese-Armenian designer Nareg Krikorian honored craftsmanship with handmade leather stools.

At Alcova, an abandoned slaughterhouse, Italian wallpaper company Fabscarte and artist Martyn Thompson crafted a moon-inspired wallcovering with copper and bronze powder. London-based designers Natalia Triantafylli and Andrew Scott showcased a collection highlighting the uniqueness of handmade products, featuring 3D printed plastic, ceramic, and sheet steel.

Korean designer Sangmin Oh explored 3D knitting with lamps made from traditional fishing lines and elastic yarns, while Dutch collective Basketclub presented experimental woven 3D objects, merging physical braiding with unconventional materials.

Craftsmanship Meets Fashion: High-End Collaborations

Leading fashion brands like Tod’s, Loewe, and Hermes showcased craftsmanship in collaboration with skilled artisans. Tod’s exhibited the artistry behind iconic items, Loewe displayed chairs crafted by its artisans, and Hermes presented mid-century-inspired furniture pieces, including mouth-blown table lamps.

At Bottega Veneta, Italian design legend Gaetano Pesce designed hand-crafted handbags displayed in an installation called “Vieni a Vedere” (Come and See), featuring airbrush-painted totes with the house’s signature Intrecciato weave.

Playful Objects and Physical Experiences

Engaging colors and textures took center stage, emphasizing the desire for real-life experiences. Greek designer Kiki Goti reimagined the dressing room with the series “Neo-Vanity” at Alcova, offering vibrant, multifunctional home objects. Chef Deco transformed exercise equipment into colorful, functional home items, and Marco Ripa and Stamuli showcased pop, bold, and fun furnishings at Convey.

Danish furniture company Gubi celebrated the 10th anniversary of its iconic Beetle Chair with “TEN: Beyond the Beetle,” featuring reinterpretations by international artists and designers. French brand Roche Bobois presented the sculpture-like sofa “Bombom” by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.

Croatian designer Ana Koruga debuted “Objects for Movement,” a series encouraging active, physically-aware living with purposely unstable-based home items.

From Discarded Materials to Bioplastics: Embracing Sustainability

Sustainability took center stage with designers exploring waste and repurposing materials. Dutch designer Kick Veldman created mirrors from waste aluminum, Japanese designer Daisuke Yamamoto crafted furniture from lightweight gauge steel, and Taiwanese creative Erco Lai showcased 3D printed ceramic pieces and homewares made from material waste.

Californian PROWL Studio and M4 Factory addressed fast furniture with the PEEL Chair, a reimagining of the plastic stacking chair made from hemp bast fiber, challenging viewers to consider products’ lifecycle.

Milan Design Week 2023 exemplified a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and sustainability, setting new standards for creativity and responsible design.