Milan and Nordic Cool
At a time when every city with even the teensiest signs of an emerging design scene is declaring itself to be 'the new Milan', the annual Salone Internazionale del Mobile still reigns head and shoulders above them all as the mecca. Because of Salone, one week in April now marks, in many ways, the beginning and the end of the Design Year, as designers, makers, artists, commentators, and in fact anyone in need of an innovation shot is drawn like iron filings by a strange magnetic force to Italy's industry capital to see and be seen, collecting business cards and cocktails as they go. With hundreds of events and exhibitions taking place around the city, as well as - of course - all the fun at the fairgrounds to absorb, navigating it all can be tricky. Wish I was there at the moment, but alas, not this year. One designer I'll have my eye on from afar is Fritz Hansen -- a few examples follow.
