Milan will host the debut of Swedish Design Moves, a four-year programme of promoting Swedish architecture, design and fashion around the world, during Milan Design Week (4th–9th April 2017).

A very special contingent of designers and companies from Sweden will be peppered throughout the city during the week, and visitors to Milan will be able to navigate the city through a specially designed map (digital and printed) featuring dozens of Swedish-related events, including a cluster of design activity in the 5vie district and a dedicated exhibition at the fairground. Of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to try Swedish food and drink throughout the Swedish trail.

Project Manager of Swedish Design Moves, Michael Persson Gripkow, says, “Sweden’s design history is deeply connected to its rural heritage and social ideals but there is much more to Swedish design than the cool contemporary minimalism for which its best known. At its core, Swedish design is driven by equality, and creativity guides the solutions.”

Well known for their wanderlust, Swedes work around the world, sharing international references, innovations and contacts. Simultaneously however, there is a strong movement in the Swedish design community back to Swedish heritage and craft skills. Small design-led businesses with unique identities are enjoying a renaissance – telling their own stories and producing their products locally on a small scale all around Sweden. Sweden is also one of the few European countries where local production has increased during the past ten years. Recent studies show that Sweden has one of Europe’s most stable furniture industries, with a strong growth compared to other countries in these uncertain times.

Where the Swedes will be in Milan: SWEDISH BRANDS/COLLEGES
The highly anticipated Ikea design and lifestyle festival in Lambrate will feature new collaborations, six new collections and a packed-out schedule of events, including talks, music, prototyping and film. Bolon flooring is collaborating with Cappellini at FuoriSalone, Hästens, the 165-year old bed manufacturer, known by its blue-andwhite check pattern, will be making a significant brand announcement, and furniture brand Blå Station, lighting brands Zero and Ateljé Lyktan and Kasthall carpets will all be launching new designs in Milan showrooms. Offecct is launching a permanent showroom in Navigli, where it to will be showing new launches including the Phoenix (an excellent example of a fully sustainable product), by adopted Swede Luca Nichetto.

Elsewhere in Milan, Nichetto is collaborating with
Byredo Perfume’s Ben Gorham on an installation
with 158-year-old Murano glass manufacturer
Salviati in a 700 sqm space in Ventura Centrale.
Watch out for the highly innovative sewing with
wood and aluminium installations, Armour mon
Amour by Färg & Blanche in collaboration with
Bolon, at Teatro Arsenale. Do not miss work from
eight alumni from the Beckmans College of Design
in Stockholm at via Lanzone 7. Other Swedish
schools will be found in Ventura Lambrate, next
to their international counterparts. Including the
University of Gothenburg , University of Gävle
and Lund University.

Also in Ventura Lambrate, find Beyond Local where industrial designer Anna Gudmundsdottir is exhibiting a selection of everyday disposable homewares created in collaboration with local manufacturers in southern Sweden. The objects are designed backwards from the viewpoint of manufacture.

SWEDISH DESIGNERS/PUBLICATIONS
Around Milan you will find other internationally renowned designer names, such as Monica Förster, Folkform and Front. Ten years of collaboration between architects Claesson Koivisto Rune and Italian furniture manufacturer Arflex will be presented in the Arflex showroom, together with the trio’s own brand, Smaller Objects.

Form Us With Love, one of Sweden’s most
prolific design companies, is leading prototyping
workshops at Studio Monzini Raboni in 5vie.
Collaborators on Prototypa include: Clara von
Zweigbergk, Beckmans College and Wingårdhs
Architects.

The fourth edition of the coveted Summit design
interview book by editors Daniel Golling and
Gustaf Kjellin will be available to visitors at the
iconic Milan retail and gallery space, Spacio
Rossanna Orlandi. Critically acclaimed magazines
Arkitektur and FORM will have special Milanese
editions available at Teatro Arsenale.

AT THE FAIR
At the Salone fair itself, watch out for Swedish
Design Goes Milan, a curated exhibition
organized by Business Sweden of 18 designers
and companies, by White Architects featuring a
special ‘mingle lounge’ spanning everything from
small-scale craft, design and fashion to large-scale
architecture from Sweden. Talks will be conducted
at the stand by Architects Sweden. The versatility
and beauty of wood will also be highlighted by
Architects Sweden’s specially commissioned film
Woodland, screened at the Teatro Arsenale.

Swedish brands, including Karl Andersson & Söner,
Bolon, Swedese, Lammhults, Örsjö, String and
Blond Belysning, will be presenting new work at
their stands.

At Fabbrica del Vapore, to celebrate 20 years of
Salone Satellite, curator Beppe Finessi is pulling
together a retrospective of some the best young
designers who began their careers at Salone
Satellite. Among the selection are Swedes: Mia
Cullin, Daniel Enoksson, Folkform, Färg&Blanche,
Louise Hederström, Lucas Hinnerud, and Stefan
Holm.

Later this spring, after Design Week, Volvo will open a new showroom in Milan, designed by Swedish architects Tham & Videgård. Also, the fashion brand Acne Studios will open a new shop in the Brera neighbourhood.

After Milan, Swedish Design Moves travels on to Paris in September with fashion and architecture as the main focus with a programme of events at the Swedish Institute.

SALONE DEL MOBILE
4-9 APRIL 2017

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