'Fashion, furniture and the future'

Italy’s most sought after fashion designers transformed their vitrines and store spaces into cutting edge exhibits showcasing the newest in furniture and lighting for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile last week in Milan.

The streets, it seemed, caught trade show fever too – with Via Montenapoleone the site of large lanterns decorated with the word “Emozione” looming over visitors’ heads.

Open to the entire public, the 48th annual Salone Internazionale del Mobile is the largest of its kind. Please note: Victorian lamps and neoclassic chairs you won’t find here. The Salone prides itself on “innovation and creativity,” in addition to discovering young, fresh talent.

The event attracted more than 500,000 to high-end stores like Giorgio Armani, Moschino, Versace and Blumarine. Designers like Roberto Cavalli teamed up with the German-based Windfall to spice up their store space with tinkling chandeliers.

Participants all reported the highest spike in both furniture and clothing sales of all year.

It may have been all business and receptions for designers at the six-day show, which ended yesterday. But for enthusiasts with a penchant for innovation and style, the event serves as a springboard for future fashion and design trends.

My personal favorites first:

For a burst of color, Blumarine(above left) chose plastic fuschia chairs by design firm Kartell to accompany its own floral-laced table linens and dishwares. Missoni (below right) presented a backdrop of cacti in acid green and purple with bean-shaped chaises and side tables in similar colors. Striped curtains in complimentary colors were the finishing Missoni touch, a brand which is known for its funky knitwear.

Unlike the Versace fashion label, the Versace home line is flourishing – up 9.3 percent in sales from last year, according to WWD. A look at its mobile display explains why. Resembling a dentist’s chair of the future, Versace constructed the chaise out of crystal and then upholstered it in silk and leather. The CEO told the publication that the Versace house is always experimenting. It is in fact the first such label, said the CEO, to use titanium and ceramic for its designs.

No other label than the urban cool Diesel could have printed its linen lamps with amp switches for its design. The rock-infused collection also starred vintage treated chairs and tables, studded linens and furniture made to look like a musician’s traveling instrument case.

What to expect:

With the thrust of the Salone on new contemporary design, there may be a few things in store for us next season.

Think proportion and shape as Normann Copenhagen and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec manipulated foam, stitching and tufting foam material to create the “Memory Chair” and “Quilt” chair (below right), respectively.

Don’t be surprised to find the latest tables and kitchen accessories crafted from such materials as stone, enamel, veneer and crystal. I personally liked Tom Dixon’s spinning plate tables and a Francesca Madera chair pieced from leather and newsprinted hemp.

It’s enough to make anyone think outside of the box.

- S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of WWD and http://trends.voyce.com

'Mother It Up'

Living in a perpetually recession-and-global-warming-obsessed world, this year’s Earth Day had the expected bombardment of ‘Go Green’ advertisements and ‘Earth-Friendly Fashion’ newsletters crowding my inbox. While I do commend my boss and coworkers’ efforts to ration our use of paper and lighting in the office, I do not see myself sporting any of the eco-masks that were being passed around.

Plus, I don’t think that I usually expose myself to harmful fumes. I don’t even own a moped…

As for talk of eco-sustainable initiatives and ‘Green jobs – Hope or Hype,’ I’ll save it for the other 364 days of the year.

But I will take my inspiration from Mother Earth and the sense of rebirth that follows spring’s first budding flowers. From frilly chiffon dresses to ornate glass tumblers, nature’s green thumb is cropping up everywhere:

1. Thakoon has a lovely floral dress for $1,255. Zac Posen has a similar ruffled number for $2,400. And model Theodora Richards and actress Rachel Weisz have been sighted wearing mini and tulip-skirted versions by TopShop and Phillip Lim in May’s issue of Vogue. Finding a print with microscopic blossom flowers is key. To the bottom, a reversible silk Rag & Bone tank from Shopbop.


2. Because I drink at least two cups of tea a day, Pier 1 Imports has a ceramic tea set painted with a delicate floral design. Inexpensive (on sale $24) and perfect for entertaining guests.

3. A mixture of mother-of-pearl, wood and pearl beading, this flower beaded ring by Miriam Haskell ($280) for Vivre.com is a definite conversation starter.


In my continuing promise to Mother Earth, I vow to start setting up fresh flowers and plants around the house. There is nothing like a growing pot of lavender flowers or even some aloe to both freshen up a room and serve medicinal purposes. Why thank you Mother.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of Shopbop, Pier 1 Imports and Vivre.com

'Look on the Bright Side'

Italy brought light to the Dark Ages, introducing the world to the art elements of chiaroscuro and perspective. Italians were on the cutting edge of art then, endowing us with the Mona Lisa, David and the Pietà.

It should come as no surprise that 500 years later Italy is still on the cusp of forward-thinking, modern design with innovative house wares created by Alessi. For those who haven’t heard about the 50-year-old Alessi, the company has created some of the most exclusive products – from the first home espresso makers in 1979 (now at the MOMA museum) to alien-like juicers and pepper grinders.

Alessi once earned its popularity as a high-end design firm, shifting gears under the leadership of Alberto Alessi towards avant-garde creations. The grandson of founder Giovanni Alessi has sought the talents of such famous designers like Aldo Rossi, Philippe Starck, Salvador Dali and Richard Sapper to produce designs made of plastic, resin and wood.

BusinessWeek interviewed the CEO two months ago, asking Alessi about the company’s traditions and its customers. By collaborating with as many as 200 outside designers and taking design risks, Alessi said that the company has ensured its success.

Interestingly enough, Alessi told BusinessWeek that he hopes to launch the first in Alessi eyewear come September. Dabbling in fashion, he said, will be his next big business venture. Can you imagine snagging a Michael Graves (see his architecture below) designed dress ?

I can just picture maxing out my credit card on a functional dress in a vivid coral with scupted shoulders.

Basically, if you’re looking for a bit of excitement to your average household items, or that’ hot list’ item sure to ellicit ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from visitors – this is it.

My personal favorites: a toothpick holder (above right) at $175, a Tigrito cat bowl (right) at $85 and a parrot corkscrew for $58.

Have one of these pieces in your kitchen and you’ll start thinking that before Alessi, you were living in the dark.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.michaelgraves.com and www.fitzu.com