Inside SuperSalone, A 2021 Edition of Salone del Mobile Milano
Curated, intimate, and hopeful–this is how we would describe the 2021 edition of Salone del Mobile Milano, duly named “supersalone”. In charge of the show’s curation was internationally renowned designer Stefano Boeri. Alongside Salone del Mobile’s new president, Maria Parro, and the show’s amazing team, supersalone 2021 came to be. Full with sustainable initiatives, a new COVID-19 friendlier “gallery” style layout, and while drastically smaller than Salone’s of the past, filled with talent and beauty.
Inside SuperSalone 2021
The Future of Salone del Mobile & Maria Parro
Before we get into the show, I had the pleasure of hearing Maria Parro speak about the exhibition and the future of Salone del Mobile. Her passion and drive are sure to continue to shine upon the fair to say the least! The question we loved was on the tie between digital and physical, her reply–a top priority for Salone. A point clearly seen in the QR codes throughout the show linking to the show app and many other design-user-friendly features.
Sustainability & The City of Milan
A quick turnaround and a need to be as sustainable as possible were clearly visual at the show. No glue and lots of plywood, all to be disassembled post-show and repurposed. Also on the green front, a forest of 200 trees flowing from outside at the entrance all the way through the four open pavilions. The trees, part of a partnership with Forestami, were planted in Metropolitan Milan after the show. A gift back to the city. The relationship between the city of Milan and Salone del Mobile was also celebrated in an exhibition called il Salone/la Citta at the Triennale museum over the past almost sixty years (2022 is the 60th!).
Take Your Seat
Chosen for its staple status when it comes to furniture, the chair took center stage at supersalone 2021. In an exhibition titled Take Your Seat, chairs of all shapes and sizes accompanied by great photography of people sitting came together in four display areas created by the ADI Design Museum. Given the layout of the fair, chairs also shined throughout the event as you may notice in our round-up below.
More to Love:
Feminine Chairs Designed Just for Women
Exhibition at SuperSalone 2021
Technology was also seen heavily used throughout the show to compensate for the small exhibition spaces. The world of video in magical full force across massive screens. However, this was just one of the ways brands got creative with their gallery-style spaces. With a large vertical wall perhaps the most important place to draw attention, brands also created wall-applied aerial views, attached products to the walls in creative ways, and played with the concept of space. A new feel for a trade show, will it stick for a COVIDless future? Hard to say, but certainly a breath of fresh air.
TRENDS WE LOVED at Milan Design Week 2021
When it came to Color Trends, these, often deeply saturated, tones appeared again and again: blush pinks, rusty oranges, marigolds, mossy greens, and classic blues.
Technology also played a strong role. From powered-up seating to transformable counters and high-tech appliances, we will definitely keep seeing more and more integration of technology at home.