Hasta La Ideas

Photography by Glen Jackson Taylor for Core77

Every year Tortona Design Week grows-up a little more, and while you might have to visit Ventura Lambrate to see some of the younger up-and-coming designers that would have formally exhibited here, it’s still a design destination to be reckoned with. In fact, in scale and quality, it rivals the typical “design week” most cities around the world can put together.

Nendo-fans were treated to not one but three separate exhibitions with the minimal “Black & Black” furniture collection for K%, their “still & sparkling” glass work for Czech company Lasvit, and a new bathroom furniture collection for Bisazza Bagno. Reacting to the economic climate (finally) Established & Sons introduced several new pieces at a more affordable price point and once again their booth design was breathtaking, albeit a little hard to photograph with all the crazy rope lights— possibly that was the point.

Dutch company New Duivendrecht made their debut in Milan this year with a collection that was met with great enthusiasm, it was also inspiring to learn they are committed to working with local factories in the Netherlands. There was more Dutch goodness to be had at the Tuttobene show, the Chinese were out in force with their exhibition “Slow Seating—Contemporary Chinese Design,” Diesel’s successful living kitchen concept was surprisingly thoughtful, and the installation Past Present Future for Kusch+Co by Atelier Brueckner (pictured top) was stunning.

For those seeking a taste of Tortona-past, Danish design collective operating under the name Dennis Design Center built a temporary workshop in the Superstudio Più car park where they made and distributed free furniture to visitors with the promise of a new design everyday. It was kinda awesome!

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