Italy’s Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone events, together the largest furniture and interiors fair in the world, has had a few setbacks since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a cancellation in 2020 and several delays in 2021, it only resurfaced last September on a much-reduced scale. This year, however, it finally returned in full force, and a postponement to June from its usual April date allowed more participants to take part. Among the numerous Fuorisalone venues and a packed roster of more than 2,000 exhibitors at Salone del Mobile’s 60th-anniversary celebration, Japan was well represented as usual. On: Design introduces a few product launches, installations and young designers that caught the attention of international media.

Karimoku Case Study’s A-LC01 chair is an updated version of architect Keiji Ashizawa’s original design for Blue Bottle cafes in Japan. | Courtesy of Karimoku
Karimoku Case Study’s A-LC01 chair is an updated version of architect Keiji Ashizawa’s original design for Blue Bottle cafes in Japan. | Courtesy of Karimoku

Global beginnings