M.E. asks Dan Fogelson of Stateside aluminum chair company Emeco who will be making their way across the pond for the Salone, about what's they've been working on recently and what they'll be showing there. What did we get? Not only a SUPER sneak peak involving Frank Gehry, but the cheekiest party prediction to date...

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?

A one-of-a-kind project with Frank Gehry...

Emeco, and renowned architect Frank Gehry have collaborated for a second time, in the development a one-of-a-kind large scale bench which will be presented during the Salone del Mobile in Milan, April 22 -27 2009. Named Tuyomyo (Spanish for “Yours and Mine”), this is the second time Emeco and Gehry have cooperated on a project, the first being the creation of the all-aluminum Superlight chair launched at the Salone in 2004 which was recently accepted into the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent design collection. The new bench will be auctioned in May, proceeds of which will fund the Leslie Gehry Brenner Award of the Hereditary Disease Foundation Frank Gehry’s mandate was simple, “The form has to be free and light. It must be structural, and at the same time poetic. And a little dangerous.”

What does exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile mean for you? How would you describe the positives (and maybe negatives?) of the experience?

We are one of only two American companies invited to exhibit in the Design Area. We first showed in 2000 – we had no export business. Now we have 30% international sales – excellent for American furniture manufacturers as most American-made furniture is not well regarded.

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?

We expect the introductions at Milan to be terrific and the energy high – most were already in progress before the chaos. It's next year we are worried about...

Do you have any predictions for trends in design this year?

Lots of worried people.

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?

Plank has a great new chair by Constantine Grcic – he is one of our favorites.

And of course, its not all work! Where do you think this year's best Salone party will be?

The one in my hotel room.