Salone del Mobile has stood as a prominent design event since its inaugural edition in 1961, consistently infusing the city of Milan with creativity and innovation year after year. Originating with the aim of promoting Italian exports of furnishings and accessories, the Salone del Mobile has evolved into the preeminent global event for entrepreneurs venturing into the furniture and home furnishing industry and businesses seeking partnerships worldwide, as it hosts the industry's giants eager to forge collaborations.
The annual Salone takes place in April during Milan Design Week, featuring parallel exhibitions such as the biennial Euroluce exhibition in odd years, and EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition in even years. Indonesia Design was invited again to Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023, which featured the participation of over 2,000 exhibiting brands from countries all over the globe and over 300,000 visitors from 181 countries during the six-day event. Here are some noteworthy exhibitors during Salone del Mobile. Milano’s 61st edition.
Philipp Plein’s “Not Your Parents Furniture”
German fashion designer Philipp Plein showcased his meticulously curated ensemble that transcends traditional home design at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023. Teaming up with Eichholtz, a leader in high-end furniture, and Zambaiti Parati, a historic Italian brand specializing in international wallpaper covers, the collection epitomizes a unique lifestyle concept. Embracing premium materials, bold colours, and iconic prints, it aspires to redefine the glamourous and unconventional essence of home projects. Philipp Plein's vision for an immersive and experiential collection reflects an evolution in the post-pandemic landscape, reimagining the way people connect with their living spaces.
The “Not Your Parents Furniture” collection serves as a bold statement for home interiors, emphasizing the importance of the home as a haven for comfort, socializing, and personal retreat. The collaboration between Eichholtz and Philipp Plein seamlessly integrates high-quality materials and products, embodying the core values of the Philipp Plein brand with a rebellious charm and playful spirit. The collection boasts a range of opulent elements, including deluxe velvet sofas with gold studding details, handblown glass lighting fixtures, NFT-embedded branded mirrors, high gloss dining tables with gold palm trees, seductive silk cushions, statement rugs, and essential outdoor staples.
Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors’ Debuts New Collection
Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors unveiled their latest collection at the 61st Salone Del Mobile in Milan 2023, presenting a captivating installation for its latest collection. The colour palette seamlessly blended black and white with touches of cognac, guiding visitors through diverse environments. Light curtains with iconic animalier and monogram patterns connected spaces, creating an ethereal ambiance.
The first living room showcased the Elobay sofa, characterised by sinuous lines, decorative metal studs, and a warm cognac covering. Paired with an assortment of coffee tables in various sizes, materials, and finishes, as well as the Maclaine armchair featuring leopard-print upholstery, this space set the tone for the collection. In the dining area, attention centred on the Bawe table, a harmonious blend of simple, linear shapes complemented by intricate details like the lazy Susan, glossy lacquered top, and a central leg with matte and gold elements from Azingo furniture.
The second living room introduced the Galite coffee table, disrupting symmetry with its irregular travertine marble top and a side band boasting a raw golden finish reminiscent of the volcanic island it was named after. Notably, the outdoor collection took centre stage due to its strategic placement, expansive scenographic space, and comprehensive offerings in both living and dining areas, predominantly featuring white hues with contrasting black details. The Dahlak modular sofa stole the spotlight with contemporary geometric shapes and a unique blend of outdoor fabrics showcasing various animalier patterns. The Mai Tai and Wild suspended seats completed the outdoor environment in the unmistakable style of Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors.
Additionally, drawing inspiration directly from the Maison's recent fashion shows, the brand introduced the Wild Leda capsule collection, featuring a sofa, armchair, loveseat, and coffee tables adorned with a rococo-inspired print celebrating the spirit of Fausto Puglisi's collections and reinforcing the synergy between design and fashion throughout the entire collection. During Milan Design Week, the Outdoor collection and the Wild Leda capsule collection took centre stage in a special display within the Roberto Cavalli boutique on via Montenapoleone.
Minotti Pavilion and Minotti’s 75th anniversary
Minotti, an Italian company, is globally acknowledged for its excellence in contemporary furniture design, representing the epitome of "Made in Italy" quality in the residential and hospitality sectors with a classic-modern lifestyle. Founded in 1948 in Meda by Alberto Minotti, the company's journey of growth and international expansion began in 1991 under the leadership of his sons, Renato and Roberto Minotti.
The brand marked its 75th anniversary at the 2023 Salone del Mobile.Milano with a captivating architectural display that encapsulated its evolution from the past to the present, while confidently embracing the future of design. The brand's consistent commitment to elegance, style, and Italian craftsmanship remains unwavering, and each year, Minotti pushes boundaries with innovative exhibition concepts and collections, drawing inspiration from global designers. The Minotti Pavilion at Salone del Mobile.Milano presented a remarkable two-level experience, meticulously designed to embody the brand's essence and showcase its extensive journey. The pavilion featured a blend of public and private spaces, ideal for envisioning multi-dimensional domestic and hospitality design projects.
The central boulevard of the two-level Minotti Pavilion 2023, enriched by Mediterranean landscaping, exemplified Minotti's groundbreaking approach to exhibition design. With organic architecture, including large curved windows, two spiral staircases, and two sculptural cone-shaped fireplaces, the pavilion reflected the brand's distinctive design language.
Visitors had the opportunity to engage in an immersive exploration of the adaptability of the 2023 Collection, illustrating its seamless integration, personalized customization, and harmonious coordination across various spaces. The pavilion featured highlights such as the debut of the Dylan modular seating system by Rodolfo Dordoni and the contemporary and space-efficient design embodied in the Torii Bold family of seats by Nendo.
SaloneSatellite for young design talents
Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023 marked the 24th edition of SaloneSatellite, originally founded in 1998 and curated by Marva Griffin as a dedicated space within the larger event, focusing on young design talents. This edition emphasized training and future challenges, proving over the years to be a pivotal platform for the convergence of emerging designers and the business world. Italian sculptor, designer, and architect Gaetano Pesce contributed to the event by sharing insights into his illustrious career, inspiring the next generation of international designers.
Featuring 28 Design Schools and Universities from 18 countries, SaloneSatellite explored the theme "Design Schools – Universities / BUILDING THE (IM)POSSIBLE Process, Progress, Practice." The collective effort of installations and works by graduates-to-be aimed to map out design visions, addressing contemporary challenges and guiding the future of the design world.
The exhibit design, curated by architect Ricardo Bello Dias, created a collaborative space for approximately 550 exhibitors under 35 from 31 countries, with inspiration drawn from Euroluce, an event dedicated to lighting design returning after four years.
The SaloneSatellite Award, in its 12th edition, recognized outstanding projects. The first place was awarded to Honoka, Japan’s “Tatami Refab” that addresses the decline of Tatami. The Tatami Refab Project re-embeds Tatami into modern life using 3D printing technology.