The Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023 took place for the 61st time this year. At the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition center, there were numerous exhibitions on design and furniture - but this year, it was all about sustainability. The event's focus is reuse, regeneration, circularity, and energy saving. In addition, the origin of materials and innovative and recyclable designs.
A total of 2.000 exhibitors from 37 countries had the opportunity to present their creative freedom and sustainable processes and working methods. The stars and starlets of the design scene show their furniture, lighting, and interior design in various arrangements. The fair's main attractions are the "Salone Internazionale del Mobile" and "Workplace3", focusing on changing the working environment.
In addition, the "Euroluce" exhibition under the "City of Lights" concept is a highlight of the fair. After four years of absence, Euroluce is back with significant innovations. These include increasingly efficient LED sources and a circular economy in the manufacture of more environmentally friendly products.
Courtesy Salon del Mobile.Milano - City of Lights
Modular installations with a focus on nature
More than ever, the organizers are aware of their ecological responsibility. As a member of the UN Global Compact, great importance was attached to sustainability during implementation. On the one hand, when selecting suppliers, attention was paid to an ecological and sustainable background. On the other hand, the Green Guidelines of the fair motivated exhibitors to install more sustainable stands.
Therefore, new and modular installations replaced classic stands with short life cycles. These are light and reusable, made of wood or recycled material. LAGO, for example, used the "Good House", a reusable stand presented in 2022 and said to save up to 2% on CO87 emissions. Stands made of natural and recyclable raw materials such as wood or cork were also seen more and more frequently. In addition, brands are increasingly paying attention to the dismantling of the stand modules. But the dominant trend this year was luxe, tropical green, as seen in the futuristic spaces of Nardi and San Giacomo.
Courtesy Salon del Mobile.Milano
Milan Design Week presents concepts of the future with tech, car and fashion
Of course, the tech, automotive, and fashion industries should be included too. For example, Samsung presented innovations in the field of sustainability in combination with smart design. The tech giant showcased minimalist and eco-conscious products by South Korean designers Seungji Mun and Hosuk Jang. In the Fuorisalone 2023, everyday appliances such as refrigerators were also exhibited, which could be personally tailored to the customers. An individual configuration should significantly reduce energy consumption in everyday life.
The South Korean car manufacturer KIA was also represented at the Milan Design Week and presented its vision of sustainable cars. For this, the company introduced the new Kia EV9—the highlight: bioplastic and mushroom leather. Kia wants to prove that sustainability and high-quality design go hand in hand, a true to the motto Opposites United.
The fashion brand G-Star from the Netherlands showed an impressive presentation at the Milan Design Week: A private jet completely covered with jeans. The background: While a private jet signifies luxury and wealth, the designer Maarten Baas deliberately chose it to emphasize the contrast with sustainable material. G-Star used textiles from the in-house recycling program "Return your Denim", where customers can hand in their old jeans.
