Salone del Mobile - what we've discovered
I arrived in Milan on a hot and sunny afternoon and dropped my luggage at the hotel. Having booked my room three months earlier, I was excited to venture into the neighbourhood of Brera and navigate the Salone de Mobile - or Milan Design Week - the most important design event of the year.
As a first-timer, I felt pretty overwhelmed. It occurred to me that a day and a half in Milan was in fact far too short, and that I was unlikely to get a glimpse of even a tenth of what I had envisaged seeing.
The Salone is a massive affair. The fair itself, taking place on the outskirts of Milan is a must-go for any person in the industry. But the real deal is 'Fuori Salone', outside the fair, where the most influential galleries, brands and designers invest in spaces to create extraordinary displays of art, design, furniture and fabrics. The mise-en-scene can be truly mesmerising yet the challenge for any Salone goer is to figure out which destination is really worth the hike.
Fuori Salone happens all over the city of Milan. Many brands and galleries own or rent a space in the city centre of Brera. But the most innovative and inspiring destinations are often further away, which means that while you wish you could rent a Vespa, or hire a private chauffeur, you will end up walking a tremendous amount, and end up searching for a taxi in the most remote spots of the city.
It is, of course, crucial to dress accordingly, but bear in mind that the Salone uniform is decidedly elegant. If you feel slightly out of touch, head to LadoubleJ. Indeed, the fashion empress JJ Martin now reigns en maÎtre on the Milan streets, with chic Milanese women floating around in her printed dresses.
Never forget that you are in Milan baby!
