The mother of design events is almost here again. I Saloni 2008 is just weeks away – 16th to 21st April, at the Milan Fairgrounds, Rho – and while other design websites are preparing their elaborate previews and guides to the week – we decided to give a concise ‘must see’ guide. Culling the overbearing itinerary, we have listed the most important things to do and see during Milan design week- from our humble opinions.

Alaana Fitzpatrick, Editor of DQ Magazine:
“There are plenty of exciting Aussies (and Kiwis) packing their bags and heading to Milan this year. If I was making the pilgrimage, I’d plan to pop around and see just how amazing their products/projects look on the global stage. David Granger from Bang Design is there to launch his new lights with Luzifer. Vanessa Larsen will get to check out her ‘Avalon’ Lounge manufactured by Ferlea. Kjell Grant is leading the Melbourne Movement troops back to the Salone Satellite where they are bound to receive all the attention they deserve. Nick Rennie, Cindy-Lee and Helen Kontouris are packing their bags (and I’m sure folios) to assess the Italian manufacturers. Tait will be a part of the Melbourne Fringe exhibition held off site at Hotel NHow. Bernabeifreeman have their work exhibited as part of their prize for winning the Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award. Trent Jansen will be on show at the Moooi stand. David Trubridge has an offsite show at Spazio Goradesky in Zona Tortona.”

Bernabeifreeman’s Lamp will be on display at the Bombay Sapphire stand.

www.bernabeifreeman.com.au/

Penny Craswell, Assistant Editor, Indesign Magazine:
“My four product picks for Milan so far are the ‘Bambi’ writing desk by Nendo for Cappellini, the new bar stool by PearsonLloyd for Walter Knoll (see picture), the ‘Sofa lamp’ by CuldeSac and Héctor Serrano for Moooi and the ‘Go’ chair by Ross Lovegrove for Bernhardt Design’s range for Danerka. The Swarovski Crystal Palace exhibition is always a highlight and the Egg chair exhibition celebrating Arne Jacobsen’s design classic sounds great too.”

‘Go’ chair by Ross Lovegrove for Bernhardt Design’s range for Danerka

http://www.rosslovegrove.com/

The new bar stool by PearsonLloyd for Walter Knoll

www.pearsonlloyd.co.uk/

Emma Telfer, Indesign Group Brand Manager:
“Support the Australian contingency by visiting the Melbourne Movement group exhibition at Salone Satellite and the Melbourne Fringe Exhibition at Hotel Nhow. I am also really looking forward to the Indesign in Milan party!”

’Holey Snake’ by Kathy Tsui of Melbourne Movement

http://furniturelab.tce.rmit.edu.au/melbournemovement.htm

Jess Noble, Indesign Editorial team:
"If I had to choose three things as ’must see’s’ during I Salone, I wouldn’t miss out on a visit to the Swarovski Crystal Palace- it’s supposed to be extraordinary. I would also pay a visit to a few Aussie pals- we just recieved word that designer Adam Goodrum will be there. Cappellini is launching his ’Stitch Chair’. Very exciting. And the Superstudio is apparently a highlight every year. This year Superstudio will house Tom Dixon, Bombay Sapphire, and Jaime Hayon- to name a few."

Swarovski Crystal Palace installation, Milan

www.swarovskisparkles.com

Adam Goodrum and his Stich Chair

www.cappelini.it

Nicky Lobo: Indesign Editorial team:

“I’m always interested in the cheeky side of things, so I’d head to the exhibition by Segis + Istituto Europea di Design, titled “The impossible seat: irreverent reflections on the theme of the backside”. Not just because it’s a little bit left of centre, but it involves student projects which are important to support and often the most interesting in terms of the risks they take and their perspectives. I’d also check out the accessories at the Danese showroom – on my budget, these kind of products are a little more realistic than a whole lounge setting or kitchen!”

At Danese: ’leti’ table lamp by matteo ragni

http://www.danesemilano.com/

Andrea Millar: Indesign editorial team:

“I would check out the Spazio Rossana Orlandi, it’s in the Magenta district near Cardorna station and will be hosting events and exhibitions by individual designers, companies and even schools. It’s on during the course of the fair.”

www.rossanaorlandi.com/lospazio

I Saloni 2008: General Information

Place: Milan Fairgrounds, Rho
Date: 16/21.04.08
Opening Hours: from 9.30am to 6.30pm. Trade only.
Sunday 20 April: open to the public at large
SaloneSatellite: open to the public every day, from 9.30am to 6.30pm, during the event
Total exhibitors: 2,375 including those taking part in SaloneSatellite
Net exhibition area: 226,000 square metres
Gross exhibition area: 530,000 square metres

Salone Internazionale del Mobile
47th national edition – 30th international edition
International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition
22nd edition
Products on display: bedrooms, beds, wardrobes, dining rooms, dining nooks and living rooms,
hall furniture, children’s furniture, occasional furniture, tables and chairs, rush and rattan furniture,
garden furniture, upholstered furniture.
Accessories, objects, ornaments and fabrics. Trade associations and organizations, trade newspapers, magazines and publications.
Exhibitors: 1,380
Pavilions: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-15
Net exhibition area: 154,000 square metres
Press Gallery: Corso Italia / Reception Pav. 5-7
Frequency: Annual

Eurocucina
International Kitchen Furniture Exhibition
17th edition
Products on display: plastic laminate kitchens, wood kitchens, metal kitchens, lacquered kitchens, masonry kitchens, kitchen furnishing accessories. Trade associations and organizations, newspapers, magazines and publications.
Exhibitors: 133
Pavilions: 18-22-24
Net exhibition area: 32,000 square metres
Press Gallery: inside the Pavilions
Frequency: Biennial

FTK – Technology for the Kitchen
Eurocucina’s collateral proposal – 3rd edition
Products on display: the innovatory technology of built-in electrical appliances and cooker hoods
Exhibitors: 11
Pavilion: 26
Net exhibition area: 5,400 square metres

SaloneUfficio
International Biennial Workspace Exhibition
14th edition
Products on display: office furniture, fixture and fittings for banks and insurance offices, post offices
and other public spaces, seating for offices and public spaces, home office, alarm systems for offices, banks and public spaces, office heating and air-conditioning, office accessories, office lighting and wiring systems, services. Trade associations and organizations, newspapers, magazines and publications.
Exhibitors: 160
Pavilions: 16-20
Net exhibition area: 20,000 square metres
Press Office: inside the Pavilions
Frequency: Biennial

International Bathroom Exhibition
2nd edition
Products on display: bathroom furniture, bathroom accessories, shower cubicles and saunas, sanitary ware, bathroom and laundry tapware, radiators, wall and floor coverings, bath tubs and whirlpool tubs. Trade associations and organizations, newspapers, magazines and publications.
Exhibitors: 121
Pavilion: 14
Net exhibition area: 9,800 square metres
Press Gallery: inside the Pavilion
Frequency: Biennial

SaloneSatellite
11th edition
Number of designers expected: 570 designers including students from the 22 international design schools involved
Pavilion: 28
Net exhibition area: 4,500 square metres
Frequency: Annual

List of exhibitors: www.cosmit.it

INDESIGNLIVE.COM WILL REPORT DAILY FROM THE I SALONE, MILAN, STARTING NEXT WEEK. STAY TUNED.