Designers’ choice

We asked a host of designers (and Satellite’s founder) to grab their phones and give us a taste of what flavours they liked during design week

André Fu, Architect
Diligence Serving Trolley
Designed in-house by Hèrmes

Diligence Serving Trolley

The trolley echoes Hèrmes’ commitment to craftsmanship - I particularly admire the way the woven leather has been juxtaposed against the intricate rattan works, while there is a strong sense of modernity that perpetuates in the overall design language. In a world that is very much about the moment, I am always keen to revisit, to see creations that trace back to the heritage of artisanship, in particular creations that are infused with new interpretations and meanings.

Humberto Campana, Designer
Brazilian Agata Rossa Cementile
Estudio Campana for Bisazza

Design is like a mirror of our soul.

Christopher Jenner, Designer
Wallpaper and fabric
Eley Kishimoto for Kirkby Design

The presentation from Eley Kishimoto in the Brera design district showed its new collections to graphic effect. Using a turn-of-the-century Milanese apartment as its canvas, one could really grasp the linear and textural qualities of the work. Bold and gold, black and silver, its use of metallics, flock and pattern was tactile, playful and sophisticated. As always, a striking presentation from this London duo.

Patrik Fredrikson and Ian Stallard, Designers
Heating/ventilation system cover at Palazzo Crespi
Designer unknown

Patrik Fredrikson and Ian Stallard, designers

Heating/ventilation system cover at Palazzo Crespi

A bit unconventional and ironic that this was the most inspiring piece at the fair, but from a design perspective it relates directly to the ethos of everything the Fredrikson Stallard brand believes in and sets out to accomplish. Ahead of its time, the baroque minimalism, the quality craftsmanship of something so small and what some would consider insignificant (it gets walked over unnoticed half of the time) is... good design making life more beautiful. Emotionally engaging art and design lifts the spirit and opens people’s minds.

Marcus Engman, IKEA Design Manager
IKEA PS Sofa
Hacked by Truly Truly

Marcus Engman, IKEA design manager

I’m sitting on the PS sofa, which was hacked for cocooning by Dutch consultancy Truly Truly. It’s already a great sofa on its own, but with this simple, yet brilliant intervention, it turned out to be a place where people of all ages hung out, relaxed and enjoyed the IKEA Festival. That’s exactly what we wanted Milan to be about this year.

Marva Griffin, founder and curator of SaloneSatellite
Comma Stool/chair
Mike He for Pistacchi Design

This is me judging the SaloneSatellite Award this year looking at the Comma stool/chair by Mike He, founder of Pistacchi Design from Taiwan. It won 1st Prize 2017 Salone Satellite Awards. It’s an outdoor stool, it’s a small sculpture, and when you sit on it, it’s comfortable.

Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson, Designers
Late night in Milan

Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson, designers

Late night in Milan

Taken from the window of our apartment on Piazza 24 Miaggio, this image seems to represent a universal experience for everyone at the Salone at some point in the week — guaranteed rain, very late nights, quiet deserted streets after long days, and it’s what we all love about it...

Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson, designers
Hard and soft in Milan

...As is a pretty familiar experience in Milan — a transport strike — which forced us all to walk for many miles, looking for ways through the city. Taken during a long walk in search of a tram, this image of delicate spring leaves forcing their way through the brutalist architecture of the city reminded us of all the young talent setting out their wares in faded industrial corners of Milan and fighting to make an entrance on the city and the world of design.