What I discovered at #MDW2023

It’s been 13 years of attending #MilanDesignWeek2023. Every year I think I am an experienced veteran of this trade show, but once I arrive, I feel like a virgin. There is always a level of creativity that overwhelms you and entices you each and every day. Inspirational, aspirational, indulgent, exhausting and exhilarating are words I would use to describe my week in Milan.??The architecture of Milan alone can make you fall in love just by itself. If you are a fan of a stunning cathedral, visit Duomo di Milano, a historic castle, Sforzesco Castel,?

and in Santa Maria delle Grazie you can find Leonardo Da Vinci’s?“The Last Supper.” Not to mention shopping on via Montenapoleone for fashion and via Durini for furniture you will be amongst the leading brands of the world.

This year fashion and interiors are blurred more than ever. It’s like fashion week isn’t exciting enough so the luxury brands decided they wanted a piece of the action during the furniture show so now have pivoted to cover both markets. I don’t blame them; the interiors market went through the roof via the pandemic and everyone wants a slice of it. That is why Milan Design Week is so insanely popular and busy, because you can be inspired by Bottega Veneta , 酩悦·轩尼诗-路易·威登集团 , Hermès , Prada Group , 迪奥 , Loro Piana and many more with their facade of vibrant showrooms reflecting the craftsmanship of an atelier and at the same time walk into a luxurious furniture brand and see the latest trends in design and home products for the first time.

I expected that I would see a lot of repeat since the last year’s show since it was a moderate turn out post COVID. This year was a full blown iSalone and much more.

The colour tones were far warmer, almost like a sunset. Picture rich, earthy reds, pinks and oranges. Earthy hues and natural textures were the material of preference. Bringing outside in, using materials such as wood, rattan, stone, cork and natural fabrics to keep that calming feel indoors and outdoors meshed together.

I absolutely loved walking in Brera and touring the design show on foot. After visiting our brand Salvatori and admiring their smooth natural materials bathrooms sinks and?

sustainable recycled wall tiles, I popped into DIMORESTUDIO | DIMOREMILANO Gallery in the heart of Brera on Via Solferino. This was special. Eclectic mix of retro pieces and unusual ornate accessories made it worth the wait.

Overall I stopped at over 50 showrooms and 25 installations.?

迪奥 by STARCK was one of my favourite installations with their reinterpret of the iconic Medaillion chair with a redesign of the seat.

Visiting the Universita degli Studi di Milano Statale gave me the biggest impact. Across all corners of the event was something original and creative. Combination of sculptures and contemporary pieces covered the grounds from end to end. Mad's 12.5 metre tall ETFE Cube was one of them touching only one point on the ground.

Paola Navone's Eataly display of tomatoe & spaghetti made me hungry.

As mentioned, fashion took over the show in many ways. Hermès at La Pelota Jai Alai was simple and elegant this year with their prints on plates, throws and elegant sofa.

I walked through Tortona Rocks in Porto Genova and liked the print on the cube of a young women being held, coincidentally juxtaposing a little girl standing on her own.

Right next door to where I was staying in San Vittore was a collection of botanical cabinets and sculptures called La Collezione di Resine D'Arte Sono di Emanuela Crotti.@manucrotti

My favourite overall was GUBI ’s installation at Bagni Misteriosi in Porta Romano. Not just because they are one of our brands at The Longest Stay Design but the whole concept was so tranquil and beautiful. The combination of soft colours and curvy shaped chairs that washed with the blue of the pool, gave it a heavenly effect.

I could be here for days and hours to write about #isalone at the Rho Fiera and #Euroluce this year so we will leave that perhaps for another time. I will say that Munna Design made the perfect meditation chair where you can sit in lotus.

As far as EuroLuce went, I was impressed with the light installation by PRECIOSA LIGHTING

I will end with that so many events and evening parties I have to acknowledge Poliform ’s new outdoor collection presented at Chiostri di San Simplicano was stunning.

and Baxter’s famous outdoor party for loads of fashionistas and young designers at 喜来登 Diana Majestic ended the week on a high note. Their sofa and chairs so comfy with wonderful water repellent fabrics you could hardly believe they could be left outdoors.

After a week of intense walking the city of Milan and the Fiera this was the perfect conclusion.

Until next time.

Fino alla prossima volta.

Arrivederci