Home / The Edit Insights Established design trends at Milan Design Week 2019 There is perhaps no other design festival, anywhere, that is on par with Milan Design Week. It is not this writer’s intention to suggest that Milan Design Week is better than its contemporaries, but simply to observe that it is in a league of its own. For several days every April, the design world quite literally seizes control of the city of Milan: the streets are paved with a creative gold, where the design cognoscenti walk–strut–run on hallowed ground. For the uninitiated—and even those hardened veterans—it is a sight to behold. In essence, Milan Design Week is split between the Salone del Mobile (housed at the vast FieraMilano convention centre on the outskirts of Milan) and the Fuorisalone (with many events taking place in design districts across the city). Given its sheer scale, it is practically impossible to see and experience the entire Milan design affair. Any well-planned design itinerary can be thwarted by the endless throng of design seekers, the inevitable queues for ‘must-see’ events and the need to navigate the tumultuous city of Milan. In this writer’s experience it is best to take a deep breath, throw caution to the wind and see where Milan Design Week takes you. Established design trends In many ways, trends are subjective facets of design. Those with little substance or depth will come and go, while trends that are constantly advancing and developing will enjoy longevity, their presence established and respected. Throughout Milan Design Week, there was much evidence of established design trends, including: innovations in lighting, the considered use of natural materials, design as a journey, dual-purpose indoor–outdoor furniture, the relaunching of design classics and creative approaches to reusing plastic. Innovations in lighting At this year’s Salone del Mobile, Euroluce, the biennial International Lighting Exhibition, was once again in residence. A foremost lighting event, Vibia enjoyed a large presence at the fair, showcasing an inspirational range of newly developed, innovative lights. Displayed across a number of expertly curated rooms and settings, Vibia’s lights attracted the attention of a great many design aficionados. With a focus on ambience, minimal design and emotional well-being, Vibia doubtless captured the imagination of a great deal of visitors to its stand. Unable to choose just one standout design from Vibia’s new collection, this writer instead settled on two: Plusminus is in the vanguard of technical lighting development. Designed by German industrial designer Stefan Diez, it is a radical evolution of the typical light rail, making use of a conductive, flexible textile belt or ribbon. Lights in varied shapes and sizes are freely placed anywhere on the belt, allowing for an extensive arrangement of lighting compositions. Fully extendable, the textile belt will run vertically, horizontally, diagonally or in a combination of placements and positions. Plusminus by German industrial designer Stefan Diez Arik Levy, an Israeli artist and industrial designer, created Sticks, a collection of extended, graphic-style light rods. Entirely versatile, Levy’s Sticks can be suspended from a wall to the ceiling, propped vertically on the floor against a wall, or arranged in numerous artistic formations. Clean and uncluttered, Sticks have a wonderfully contemporary neon bent. Sticks by Arik Levy The considered use of natural materials The considered use of natural materials in contemporary design continues to provide exceptional examples of fine craftsmanship. Materials such as marble, leather and wood are treated with care and respect by conscientious artisans and designers. Marsotto, the venerable Italian stone carving firm, presented items from its Marsotto edizioni, a truly exceptional collection of objects and furniture cut from marble. In an exhibition titled ‘one two three Marble’ (reflecting the three brands that make up the Marsotto business), items created by a number of today’s most celebrated designers were on display. As a precious raw material, the marble used in each design emphasises the material’s sense of formality, harmony and perfection.