Arriving at LOCAL MILAN no.3 and walking through the apartment rooms hosting this exhibition last month in an historical palazzo, I at once felt emotional and proud as the Australian Designers showed strong inventiveness as well as a strong design voice reflecting their take on global trends. Showing within Milan Design Week when your name is not as globally resonant as others already are, could present the risk of being overwhelmed or overlooked, yet this collaborative group's show instead stood its ground, being a memorable stand out for both its quality of materials and design, as well as the creative energy with its multifaceted take on contemporary Australian culture.
“It’s hard to describe Australian Design as it draws from so many cultures and influences...” says Emma Elizabeth, the founder and curator of LOCAL DESIGN, showcasing in Milano for its third year in a row. "The objective of LOCAL MILAN is to present a collective of Australian design that will heighten the global perspective of our Australian aesthetic and style, encouraging and supporting local designers to continue raising the bar."
Peacock ChiclidEmma Elizabeth is a talented designer herself and her runner rug was the welcome piece of the exhibition, greeting visitors upon arrival and leading through the rooms which showcased works by 26 Australian designers. Displayed against the rugged and rustic appearance of an unrenovated yet utterly charming palazzo, the striking designs shone with such life and inventiveness to surprise, charm and simply make you smile.
Each of these items showed functionality, originality and great choice of materials resulting in designs that would fit equally well in both an art gallery or in your own home. With so many items shining with individual brightness, this exhibition could have resulted in a noisy and blurred experience, yet these elements of furniture and décor fitted exceptionally well next to each other, despite their differences, their singularities and their unique strengths. Truly Australian.
To me, all of these beautiful examples of Design proved worthy of the Milan spotlight and stood their ground on such an prestigious stage. As I said, Local Design made me proud, and not just for the flag they carried, but above all for their quality and originality of design. Well Done!
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.
.