Hard but heartfelt. - Form in Milan.

The selection of forms is dominated by the attraction of opposites: cubic, constructed hardness combined with soft, sculptural forms. A much used stylistic device is the cut. It divides, breaks up and reveals. The clear language of form of the eighties is reinterpreted with the use of playful, powerful colours reminiscent of the seventies, such as at Kartell. Citterio too adopts the language of form of the eighties - remaining however stringently in contrast with the colours.

Companies such as B & B and Driade produce a striking counter-note to these contrasts: there, sharp edges are combined with soft, flowing and natural shapes and decors. The Driade showroom sets its innovations cleanly and virginally in gentle snow: Tokyo-Pop from Tokujin Yoschioka and BO from Philippe Starck. Elsewhere, a curvaceous Récamiere appears in a brown leopard pattern.

Armani Casa achieves a totally unique presentation. The entrance to the Armani Teatro is convincing with its minimalistic architecture by Tadao Ando. Here, classical elements dominate, in places with gentle borrowings from Alvar Aalto, but independently interpreted. Armani is utterly fascinating, even if the set leaves an extremely cool impression: the brand becomes directly tangible here. Armani’s motto is "unpretentiously pretentious”.

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