During Milan Furniture Week, slow design was highlighted, which consists of creating durable, comfortable products that convey a sense of tranquility and harmony. The goal of this type of design is to offer alternatives to industrial manufacturing, promote the use of natural and recycled materials, and reduce excessive consumption of objects and furniture.
At the fair, brands such as Ritzwell and Nikari presented products made from solid walnut and oak wood combined with thick leather and steel, highlighting their commitment to nature and sustainability. In the case of Nikari, the company produces furniture from Finnish trees that grow very slowly, some of which are more than a thousand years old, allowing them to create products that can last more than a century.
Another example is designer Francesco Meda, who reinvents iconic objects created by great masters and gives them a contemporary touch, creating products that can last up to 150 years. Verdi, a Bogotá-based company, exhibited handmade carpets, wall coverings, and curtains made from natural fibers such as fique, banana, mulberry silk, or alpaca wool, combined with copper and stainless steel threads, using ancestral techniques. Local production, sustainability, and health are values shared by these designers and companies committed to slow design.