Last week's Milan design week offered a calmer, more meaningful experience reminiscent of the event's early editions, according to the designers and exhibitors taking part.
"It's completely different to the other editions," designer Luca Nichetto told Dezeen. "It's totally another rhythm. I prefer it this way because you can actually speak more deeply."
"There's not that much going on, so you have the actual possibility to see a lot of things," agreed Johannes Carlström of Note Design Studio.
Salone del Mobile (above) and the surrounding design festival (top image) took place in September this year
The Salone del Mobile furniture fair, which is the lynchpin of the citywide design festival, was pared down this year after being moved from April to September for the first time in more than three decades due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Although participants reported missing international clients and visitors, attendees said the event's manageable size gave them more time to engage with both projects and people.
"I think it's the best year to be here because there are less events and less is better in general," added Galerie Philia founder Ygaël Attali. "It's a little bit more authentic than usual."
Downsized fair beneficial for smaller brands
Salone del Mobile, the biggest furniture show in the world, was rebranded as "Supersalone" for its September edition and reduced to a fifth of the size, hosting only 46...