Made in Milan
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Flos
Lighting visited the Euroluce trade show in Milan last month. Here, together with our sister title WGSN, we showcase a top ten of the best exhibitors at this year’s event
1. FLOS
Company info: Flos was founded in 1962. One of the companies first and most successful collaborations was with the late designer Achille Castiglioni. Today, Flos has a special collection for contract, as well as its collection of iconic products designed by design legends such as Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders.
Key direction: Although Flos’ lamps are mass produced, they are also an artistic representation of each designer’s style.
We love: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s AIM pendant, and the Soft Architecture collection that integrates with the environment.
2. PHILPS
Company info: Electronics giant Philips has a lighting division that has been growing fast in recent years. The residential collection has a number of products designed for all areas of the house covering different styles, from playful to elegant.
Key direction: Philips combine the latest technologies with modern designs.
We love: The floor lamps that can be placed either indoors or outdoors.
3. KARMAN
Company info: Karman started its business in 2005, including in its collection a wide range of objects such as photo frames, side tables, vases, clothes hangers and lamps. But in 2008, Davide Diamantini decided to dedicate the company entirely to lighting, creating pieces that combine lightness and functionality with luxurious and delicate details.
Key direction: The collection is almost a contemporary fairytale, washed in white and mixing whimsical features with industrial materials.
We love: The delicate details found in every piece.
4. LLADRÓ
Company info: The porcelain figurines manufacturer started in the early fifties and today is synonymous with tradition combined with inspiring and impeccable design.
Key direction: The lighting collection has a more playful approach, and the attention to delicate detail is one of the main features of the collection. Whimsical, feminine themes are present as well.
We love: The Clown lamp - the switch is the clown’s nose.
5. ARTEMIDE
Company info: Founded in 1960, Artemide is one of the most well known illumination brands in the world, and has won a number of design awards throughout the years. Collaborations with names such as Ross Lovegrove and Karim Rashid make sure the company is always on top of trends.
Key direction: Since the 1990s, with the launch of the “The Human Light” philosophy, Artemide has changed the way in which it develops its products. The main concept is to start from the people’s needs in terms of light, by first understanding how to respond to individual needs in the different spaces and stages of life.
We love: The folded wall lamps with hidden light source which seems to fade into the wall.
6. CATELLANI & SMITH
Company info: Italian lighting manufacturer based in Bergamo.
Key direction: Catellani & Smith exhibited most of the key trends within its stand including playful, designing the shadow, luxurious, and hidden light source as a design-led collection that makes the most of the materials and technology used to obtain the best aesthetics possible.
We love: The minimalist and sleek designs that emphasise the light/shadow effect.
7. DANESE MILANO
Company info: Founded in the late 50s by Bruno Danese and Jacqueline Vodoz, the company started as a handcraft workshop for furnishing complements. Danese started to mass produce its objects in 1958 after a meeting between the founder and two legendary designers – Bruno Munari and Enzo Mari
Key direction: Straightforward, functional designs
We love: The chandelier made with old used pens
8. FOSCARINI
Company info: Foscarini has more than 2500 points of sale spread across 50 countries, and just like other huge and iconic lighting brands, the company has been doing successful partnerships with grand masters of designs as well as younger and upcoming professionals
Key direction: Modern pieces with extreme attention to manufacturing – although the products may seem simple, the production process is one of the main concerns of Foscarini
We love: Jean Marie Massaud’s rounded floor lamp
9. INGO MAURER
Company info: Legendary lighting designer Ingo Maurer has spread his business and now acts as a brand as well as collaborating with other designers
Key direction: The main characteristics of Maurer’s work can be found in all pieces exhibited in the stand – playful insights combine with the latest technology
We love: The LED wall paper with “live” patterns
10. VIBIA
Company info: Based in Barcelona, Vibia is present in 60 countries and has been investing heavily in design. Behind every product there is a team of specialist lighting designers
Key direction: Exploring unusual materials strengths and make sculptural pieces
We love: The folded square shaped wall lamps which can be mounted in several different ways, making the most of the space available
This content was provided by the WGSN trend-analysis and research service. For more articles like this one you can subscribe at www.wgsn.com
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