M.E. speaks to Anne Bourcier from LG Hausys Europe to get the lowdown on what they'll be exhibiting at the 2009 Milan Salone. She let us us in on the company's exclusive launch of products created from their HI-MACS Natural Acrylic Stone and the Salone hotspots they'll be checking out themselves...
What have you been working on recently? Would you be able to give us any sneak previews of new projects you might be showing at Milan this year?
We are organizing a Design Contest with students, with our material: HI-MACS® and in 14 European countries. The theme is “Lamps”. For the first time, the prototypes of the national winning projects will be exhibited on Zona Tortona – Nhow Hotel/Milano Studio Digital C, Via Tortona 35, Milan. Exceptionally this year, Korean and American subsidiaries for HI-MACS® also organized a student design contest on the themes “light” and “balance”, their prototypes will be imported from Korea and USA for a first and only display in Europe.
What does exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile mean for you? How would you describe the positives (and maybe negatives?) of the experience?
Exhibiting in Milan during the design week is mandatory for a brand targeting designers and architects. It’s the place to be, where all the new products come out. The atmosphere is great, which makes it a great place to work in.
We're sorry, it has to be asked - How do you think the current economic situation will affect the climate in the design world, and particularly this year's Milan Salone? Do you foresee any positive or negative knock on effects or adaptations that might happen as a result?
I guess the people who come on the fair are not only looking for short term information, but also to learn what the new projects are, the new products etc. I do not think these people will stop informing themselves because of the economical situation, so probably no impact on the traffic.
Do you have any predictions for trends in design this year?
I don’t know.
Is there anything you're especially looking forward to at this year's Salone? Can you let us in on the stands you'll be checking out for yourself/selves or new names to watch?
Nhow Hotel and Svarowski’s palace are great places to visit. We did everything to make our place become a spot too!!! The architect who designed our stand is the famous Francesca Lucchese. He organised a multisensorial place: people will walk through the stand between smells, music of nature and play of lights.
And of course, its not all work! Where do you think this year's best Salone party will be?
No idea...
