When it comes to furnishing your first home, there's one name that immediately comes to mind: IKEA. Since its establishment in the 1940s, this Swedish pioneer of flat-pack furniture has transformed the way people decorate their homes. It has become synonymous with a stylish and minimalist aesthetic, particularly appealing to young individuals navigating the realm of domestic life.
This year, IKEA makes a grand return to Milan Design Week with an innovative exhibition called "1st," running from April 15th to 21st. Curated by architect Midori Hasuike and spatial designer Emerzon, long-time collaborators of IKEA, this exhibition promises a distinctive playground experience with an IKEA theme.
The exhibition pays homage to the intricate yet frequently shared experiences encountered when venturing out on one's own for the first time. During the day, visitors will be able to explore the venue including the shop and newsstand areas where limited-edition merchandise will be available, and specially selected event magazines will be ripe for perusing.
One of these magazines is Catalogue!!!, a zine exclusively created for 1st. Catalogue!!! was inspired by digging into the archives of old IKEA catalogues, in particular editorial imagery from the early 2000s, but revives the spirit in a new way. It looks at the relationship young people have with objects in their home and recognizes the first home as the environment where one can freely express their design preferences, the space that embodies their unique taste, and the place where they can truly author their identity.
New products will also be revealed, such as the new BRÄNNBOLL gaming collection which will include an inflatable chair from IKEA. It will join a series of multifunctional furniture, smart storage solutions and accessories developed to support the diverse and evolving needs for casual gaming in the home. Also revealed will be two iconic IKEA products from the latest launch of the Nytillverkad collection. These products were originally developed, and have now been updated, by Japanese designer, Noboru Nakamura.
In addition, the exhibition highlights the perspectives of creatives such as food writer Riaz Phillips exploring the relationship between food and home through a personal essay, designer Michelle Deng and writer Timothy D'Cruz engage in a conversation that delves into our ever-evolving understanding of home, encompassing topics of creativity and identity. Furthermore, a group of young creatives share their most cherished objects, offering insights into their personal connections with the concept of home.
