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by Paolo Frello
Once again this year, Milano played host to the annual Salone Internationale
del Mobile. This furniture trade- fair is one of the most significant media
presenting "Made in Italy" products to the world. This year's
fair confirmed the prevailing trend of top producers in presenting products
created for all pocketbooks as well as for all tastes.The key to the popularity
of foreign designers.
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| Design Trends in Furnishings What are the prevailing trends at the end of the millenium? Hard to say... In the furnishings sector, contrary to fashion, trends are more slow to develop, be absorbed and altered. Noticeable is, however, that the industry is running down a dual road. On one hand, it strives toward design quality at affordable prices (see chairs by Kartell or Driade) while on the other hand, sophisticated design research continues in the areas of form and function. Items resulting, such as those put out by Cassina or Zanotta, carry a higher price-tag.  Indeed, this year's fair was marked by the presence of a number of foreign firms. This trade-fair, which helped launch the Italian style onto the world market, has become a prominent means towards international recognition also for foreign manufacturers. Undoubtedly, design solutions coming from abroad are winners, as witnessed by the popularity of designers such as Philip Stark, Ross Lowengrove, Ron Arad, Ingo Maurer, Mathew Hilton and Constatin Grcic. These big names have chosen to join their talents to some of Italy's most prestigious manufacturers. It is difficult to pinpoint why Italian companies should be so drawn to collaboration with foreign designers, but perhaps the reason lies in the educational approach to design favored abroad. Italian design schools emphasize the humanities, while foreign design degrees are based more upon the technical and engineering aspects of the field. These students are most likely better prepared to deal with technical problems. The merger of these two bases has resulted in a quality Italian product which has quite rightly risen to international fame. |
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