The must-go design event of the year, Milan design week (17 – 22 April) has always been a platform beyond trade and commercial gains. As a first-timer navigating Salone del Mobile, Brera and Ventura Projects, it felt like a ‘Charlie in the Chocolate Factory’ experience – full of wonders, provoking thoughts. It was a complete blessing to be brought around with 2 friends who have visited the past editions of Milan design week.

My personal favourite is Chinese design studio, Neri & Hu’s showcase ‘any/everyWHERE’ for Stellar Works, set in a variety of environments within a warehouse in Tortona Design District. The new Industry Collection designed by Neri & Hu was presented alongside new pieces designed by SPACE Copenhagen. The exhibition prompts visitors to question what it means to be anywhere – and everywhere. Having walked along the streets of Milan for the whole length of event, it was surprisingly novel to be brought back to sights and scenes of Shanghai.

One of the highlights of Salone del Mobile, the largest trade fair located at Rho Fiera, was the Salone Satellite, focusing on the creative potential of young designers under 35 worldwide. With a promising foot traffic of more than 400,000 attendees from 188 different countries, it is an unparalleled opportunity for the newer studios/designers to showcase their works – and the visit has affirmed that Salone Satellite would be Fraction’s first foray into the international market. Having collaborated with international brands such as BOLON, for our local design anchor event SingaPlural, it would be a refreshing twist to collaborate with regional designers for an international stage next.

The bulk of our length of stay in Salone del Mobile was spent admiring the details, concepts and innovative ideas by the young creatives at Salone Satellite. We also spotted our homegrown talent OLIVIA LEE’s ‘Play House’ kids’ collection, exploring the daily interactions between parents and children, and facilitating analogue play in the digital age.

Further down in the same hall was Kenkö studio’s interpretation of sports equipment for home workouts ‘Design for sport!’. With the whole collection consolidated and hung in a sleek black wall cabinet, it breaks the archetype of gym equipment and prompts us to ponder on our ever-changing lifestyles and how the design of products and furniture can aid in such transitions.

On our last day, we visited U-JOINTS exhibition at Milan’s PlusDesign Gallery exploring connections in design, from traditional joinery to modern day solutions. Curated by a team of 50 designers, the exhibition are for detailing nerds like us, spending 3 hours taking in joinery methods we have never had a second thought till examined up close, never thought would be possible, or simply never crossed our minds.

While all good things must come to an end, it also marked a few new beginnings. This trip has sparked an upcoming collaboration with a designer from SaloneSatellite, a cross-country tie-up worth looking forward to. With a mental note to plan strategic routes and book accommodations and flights earlier, Milan has undoubtedly cemented its place for a yearly pilgrimage.

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