Luxebook August 2022

also had another showcase of 20 chairs decorated in classic Roberto Cavalli animal prints. These had a neoclassical structure made of carved wood with a matte black finish. The word ‘eccentric’ got a new meaning with Nilaufer Gallery’s Flora Seating Series. Presenting a psychedelic approach to design, the collection was filled with eccentric prints that contrasted one another yet complemented each other perfectly. Not just home décor, tableware collections also saw a burst of eccentricity with brands like La DoubleJ melding prints, colours, and patterns together for a vibrant selection that is far from boring. One of the most beloved selections, however, was that of printed wallpaper. In addition to Stella McCartney’s mushroom- up of a bioplastic derived from sugarcane bagasse. In addition to bio plastic, cork (oak wood) was another material that was seen extensively at the fair. German design company Classicon used the material to design chairs that double up as a piece of art. TAPIS Studio‘s new rug collection celebrated the link between sustainability and slow design. For the unaware, slow design is when artists and creators take their time to design something, which allows them to focus on consumption while paying attention to the materials and elements used. TAPIS studio presented a selection of rugs, from minimal monochrome to striking prints. These rugs are made from biodegradable fibres or recycled fibres such as Econyl, an innovative fibre made of lost fishing nets from ocean waste. Slow design and sustainability Leaving aside all the popular trends within the industry, sustainability was one of the biggest and most important aspects of this year’s fair. Ever since the Covid pandemic, the intersection of design and sustainability has been perceptible with brands promoting innovative fabrics developed from natural fibres or discarded materials. British fashion designer Stella McCartney designed a mushroom-themed toile de Jouy- style print which is to be made into a wallpaper for Cole & Son. With a substrate made from 79% renewable fibres, this is said to be the company’s most sustainable wallpaper yet. Celebrating its 20th anniversary at Milan Design Week SLIDE design collaborated with designer Marcantonio to create crocodile inspired armchairs made furniture designed by some of the best international designers like Fernando and Humberto Campana, and Atelier Oï. One of the most fun collections at the Milan Design Week has to be Swarovski’s Signum Collection. Created in collaboration with German porcelain artisan Rosenthal, it included a series of colour-coordinated tableware selections that were a fusion of porcelain and crystal. The main motif in the collection, the octagonal frame, is said to be inspired by 19th- century Austrian art. Adding an oomph of luxury, the collection features delicate, exquisite details like cut-crystal lids, golden Swarovski swans, golden details, delicate hand paintings etc which highlights both brands’ signature styles and artistry. themed toile de Jouy printed wallpaper, there were sections like the Tableau collection by AB Concept Studio, showcasing the complex micro-seasons of Japan’s coniferous forests and Milanese brand Pictalab’s Portaluppi Herbarium collection showcasing immersive floral scenes, which paid homage to the grand garden room at the late Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi’s Casa Atellani. “Bold colors and patterns reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s and picturesque wallpapers are making a comeback. Gone are the days of just printing on paper. Wallpapers now come in jute, grass cloths, and silks with pretty much any design and they can be framed as a piece of art. The usage is also bolder and braver. By choosing a nature- inspired wallpaper design, the boundaries between indoors and out can become blurred. For me, maximalism is about freedom of expression. Surrounding yourself with loved objects that tell the story of your life and reflect your personality. It is less about touch and more about sight. Bold prints and wallpapers are chosen over their own merit with little regard for how it looks together in a space. The overall effect is bold and joyous,” said Tummala. Playing with colour Staying close to the maximalist theme, vibrant colours were a big part of this year’s fair. Bidding farewell to boring muted tones and neutral hues, popping candy colours became the new ‘it’ for design, like Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades, travel-inspired Sé Studio Stella McCartney 12| L U X E B O O K | A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 | L U X E B O O K | 13