Issey Miyake's Recycled Paper Furniture Draws Mixed Reactions at Milan Design Week
Issey Miyake's latest furniture collection, crafted from recycled paper rolls salvaged from garment production, debuted at Milan Design Week. The unique pieces sparked debate among observers, with some praising their aesthetic appeal and others questioning their practicality and material use. The collection highlights a novel approach to sustainable design, repurposing industrial waste into functional art.
Macaron: A Modular Sofa System Inspired by French Confections
Bert Plantagie and Mecanoo have introduced Macaron, a modular sofa system drawing inspiration from the iconic French pastry. Designed for adaptability, this seating collection features curved forms and layered elements, allowing for diverse configurations. Set to debut at Milan Design Week's Masterly event, Macaron emphasizes flexibility and resilience, making it suitable for a variety of environments from homes to universities.
Secolo and Tableau Unveil "Soft Matters" at Milan Design Week
Danish design studio Tableau and Italian brand Secolo have collaborated on a unique installation called "Soft Matters" at Milan Design Week. The exhibition features an undulating sofa and furniture adorned with blind-drawn floral patterns, showcasing a blend of artistic expression and functional design. This marks Secolo's first external designer collaboration and highlights Tableau's distinctive creative approach.
Sicis, a distinguished Italian mosaic manufacturer, recently unveiled an impressive new furniture collection at the Salone del Mobile in Milan. This collection, featuring the Amaro armchair, Mirai sofa, and Vertex table, is a central part of their "Impossible to Ignore" campaign, aiming to deliver designs that are visually captivating and possess a strong individual character. The brand's presentation at the exhibition emphasized its mosaic heritage, incorporating large artistic mosaic portraits throughout its display.
Leo Placuzzi, the founder of Sicis, articulated the brand's philosophy, stating that design should always be prominent and impactful, endowing spaces with distinct personality. He highlighted that their "Total Living" concept transcends mere coordination of elements, instead representing a comprehensive design vision. The exhibition space itself was divided into distinct zones, each adorned with significant mosaic artworks, paying homage to Sicis's foundational roots in mosaic artistry.
The Amaro armchair draws its inspiration from the elegant, curved glassware used for Italian herbal liqueurs. This piece features a gracefully opening form supported by a circular base, all meticulously upholstered in a rich, rust-colored leather. The Mirai sofa, conversely, takes its cues from the nuanced folds of traditional Japanese garments. Its backrest is characterized by gently overlapping units that curve fluidly, complemented by a subtly curved seat, evoking the delicate motion of silk fabric.
The Vertex table showcases a striking angular base crafted from bronze-tinted glass, paired with Sicis's proprietary Vetrite slabs—a sophisticated composite of glass, specialized polymers, and metals. The base’s pointed structure echoes the intricate geological formations of crystals, while the slender tabletop is adorned with an earthy, marbled pattern. These pieces collectively embody Sicis's dedication to innovative design and material excellence.
In addition to their display at Salone del Mobile 2026, Sicis also hosted an exhibition at their local showroom in Via Fatebenefratelli during Milan Design Week. Concurrently, at Fuorisalone, the brand presented "Elements. Jewel and design, beyond form," an immersive installation that merged artistic expression with industrial design. This installation explored the four fundamental elements: Air, Fire, Earth, and Water, integrating Sicis's diverse offerings, including micromosaic jewelry, interior design, and advanced technological solutions, into a unified creative ecosystem.
Sicis's "Impossible to Ignore" message at Salone 2026 underscores its conviction that in today's design landscape, true longevity belongs to creations that boldly assert their presence and dare to be seen. The brand’s latest collection is a testament to this philosophy, showcasing furniture that is both functional and profoundly artistic, challenging conventional notions of design. The integration of traditional mosaic techniques with contemporary furniture design positions Sicis at the forefront of innovative and expressive interior solutions.