World-renowned Danish interior design at Milan Design Week 2023
Milan Design Week is the most influential interior design event in the world, and it is taking place April 17th –23rd 2023. As an internationally acclaimed industry, Danish design is strongly represented at the prestigious event with 16 Danish brands showcasing their unique and beautiful pieces rooted in the Danish design tradition. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary will open the Danish exhibition “This is Denmark,” an interactive showcase with a contemporary view on Danish design.
“When you visit Denmark, it’s natural to be confronted with the many docks and bridges. This is a country that has a strong relationship with nature, hence also with the sea, and that uses design to enhance the quality of life everywhere, in homes but also in public spaces”.
Aesthetics and craftsmanship
Danish interior design is known and appreciated worldwide for its craftsmanship and aesthetic qualities. The groundwork for the industry was laid in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, with designers such as Hans J. Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, and Finn Juhl solidifying the concepts of 'Danish Design' and 'Danish Modern.'
Since then, the Danish interior design tradition has further developed, adapting new materials and production methods, but the classics remain iconic and very well-known around the world. The high quality and longevity of the pieces make it possible to pass them down from generation to generation.
An integral part of the Danish design tradition is focusing on the user and designing for human needs. Danish designers create functional pieces, and many also aim to produce affordable pieces accessible to more people. This doesn't mean that they compromise on aesthetics. On the contrary, there's a significant focus on democratising quality of life, creating beautiful furniture and interior products that brighten up homes everywhere.
At the “This is Denmark” exhibition, visitors get to experience an interactive showcase with pieces from &Tradition, 101 Copenhagen, Astep, AYTM, Carlsberg, Fredericia, HOUE, House of Finn Juhl, Kay Bojesen, Kvadrat, Mernøe, Notes®, Royal Copenhagen, Skovby, Studio Roso, and Matias Moellenbach.
The “This is Denmark” exhibition, staged at Alcova, offers a curation of 16 carefully selected pieces from the participating brands. Curators Elena Cattaneo and Laura Traldi have together with Matteo Ragni Studio created an interactive experience, where visitors will enter a space flooded with water and will from a wooden path be able to observe the products, while hearing a voice that explains about the product, its Danish heritage and design value.
Explore the cases below to gain insight to a selection of the Danish brands part of the showcase.
Designing the desirable future
During Milan Design Week, HRH Crown Princess Mary will also participate in a roundtable discussion under the title “New European Bauhaus Project - DESIRE, Designing the Irresistible Circular Society” along with Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Morten Bødskov, and several leading thinkers in urban development and design.
The shift to a circular economy is an essential part of the green transition - in Denmark and globally. To accelerate the shift, we need to find ways for circularity to become compelling and convincing. That’s where good design and creative solutions play a key role.
New designers and brands are emerging, developing the industry’s traditions and DNA. There’s a significant focus on sustainability, and many new companies are even ‘born circular.’
By letting design and creativity be a driver for solving some of the challenges we’re facing, the circular society of the future will be desirable – even irresistible – for its citizens. It will be characterised by solutions that are beautiful, easy to use, and enhance businesses’ competitive advantage.
Learn more about Designing the irresistible circular society in our white paper that HRH Crown Princess Mary launched during Milan Design Week 2021.
The Danish presence at Milan Design Week and the “This is Denmark” exhibition is organised by the Confederation of Danish Industry, the Royal Danish Embassy in Rome and Creative Denmark.
Funded by The European Union.
