Key Trends From Milan Supersalone 2021
28 September 2021
Expectation and excitement filled the air at the recent Milan Design Week 2021, held in September.
All waited with bated breath for what new products would be released. And what the future of design would look like in a newly changed world (after the event’s year and a half hiatus).
As the curator of the Milan Fair Stefano Boeri said, “it was time again to start creating”, which was the ceremonial “ribbon-cutting” that signalled for the innovations to begin.
Designers offered up the wow factor, including an aeroplane-like installation to showcase the re-issue of the iconic Gio Ponti designed chair, a specially built swimming pool, mirrors that claimed to smooth wrinkles and wardrobes crafted from real flowers.
At MC&Co Trend, our team traversed through all the buzz, activity, and thousands of hot new products to present a clear snapshot of the event. And to keep your business up to date on the latest trends from the most successful contemporary designers.
Our highly anticipated report on the Milan Furniture Fair has finally arrived. In it, we present the trends that are important and why.
Containing 120+ pages of research & analysis and presenting 40+ top brands, our report is results-orientated trend forecasting at both the macro & micro levels.
Here we present a tiny sample of what to expect from our Milan report. We’ll share the key macro trends from the Salone del Mobile, expressed by numerous brands across various aesthetics.
In our forecast reports, we’ve been predicting the growing strength of these trends since 2020; now, at the Milan Fair, they’re highly prominent and gaining momentum in the commercial market.
- Rise In Stretched Proportions
Milan Supersalone 21 featured a strong showing of stretched proportions. Designs keep to their traditional shape, except for one element, which is stretched and made to appear out-of-proportion with the rest. It’s a clever technique that mixes classical styles, already successful in the market, with a small dose of the new.
A prime example of stretched proportions is the Fenabel armchair by Muka Design Lab, combining functionality with elegance. What’s crucial are its elongated backrest and scissor legs.
Basket, the newest sofa by Cappellini, inspires feelings of comfort and privacy with its nest-like shape. Here, we again see the importance of exaggerated proportions in its extremely high back and arms. Such shapes also have a slight sense of playfulness, another theme that’s emerging in interiors currently.
Philippe Starck is a trendsetting designer. His new outdoor collection for Janus et Cie is in line with the styles we’ve been forecasting. The most critical element that we’re sure to see more of is the stretched proportion of the canopy.
- Increases In Non-Binary Forms
Non-binary forms are a very contemporary approach to shape & material. They combine the softness of cocooning curves with the strength and rigidness of more masculine structures. These expressions were subtly appearing in late 2020 and are now very significant, with great potential for uptake.
The Soriana armchair by Cassina is stunningly curvy, combining its soft edges with structured padding. A re-issue of a 1970s classic, it’s been updated with a modern twist — 100% recycled foam. Expect also to see a greater focus on sustainable materials.
Ethimo presented their newest collection, Rotino, at the Milan Fair, a contrast between radial forms and the hardness of wood. The wrapped bangle-like wood provides structure and decoration.
The Gu chair couples skeletal influences and fine craftsmanship to create seamless fluidity. The broader market will interpret these sculptural forms for greater appeal.
The signature elements of Mambo-Unlimited Ideas‘ newest sofa will translate across interiors. The key is its cocooning shapes enclosed within a robust masculine form.
- Notable inclusions of Playful & Optimistic Personality
If the world gets gloomy, it’s the artist’s role to paint it with colours again, metaphorically making a rainbow after the rain. And designers at Milan have answered consumers’ wishes for greater joy & hope injecting playful elements into interiors across the board.
The Beaulieu chair by Gebruder Thonet Vienna symbolises the new playful spirit of the current moment. It surprisingly has one armrest missing. Why? Because a single-arm carver is modern, unexpected and puts a smile on faces.
A collaboration between Hermes and Studio Mumbai results in a mix of Memphis style and Africa. The collection features joyful elements of hand-painted motifs, horses, and geometric shapes. It’s a unique play between materials and contrasting colours.
It wouldn’t be a Milan Trade Fair without a marble print. And, Moroso serves up the most extravagant and exaggerated marble to date. Luscious in its use of colour and graphics, the newest products delight & amuse.
Poltrona Frau heralds the return of patterned tabletops, and with it comes light-hearted maximalist fun. A unique take on the isosceles triangle, prepare to see more interpretations of such geometric styles.
It’s merely the beginning of our research on Milan Design Week. There are 120+ more pages of in-depth analysis to explore in our report.
In the MC&Co Trend report, we filter all trends and products through our powerful Trend Intelligence System to determine their market viability, velocity and customer segment. Leaving our clients empowered to incorporate these styles from Milan into their business in a commercially successful way.
To request a free sample of our Milan Supersalone report please send an email to hello@mcco.com.au and we’ll gift you a copy.
To secure the complete version of the MC&Co Trend Milan Supersalone report, please follow the link : https://mccotrend.com/collections/global-trade-fair-reports/products/milan-furniture-fair-salone-del-mobile-september-2021