True North: Highlights from Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design Fair 2020
Whether it’s sustainable living or contemporary lighting, Nordic nations are known for trailblazing their own path in the world. It’s in this spirit that every year the major Scandi design houses get together to host their very own trade fair in Copenhagen —Denmark’s capital of cool. While the fair takes place for just 3 days, it always speaks to a wider desire to create homes that are as timeless and forward-thinking as the countries themselves. This year, we’ve compiled our highlights into a comprehensive 3 Days of Design Trend Report 2020…
70s Styling at Gubi
Whenever we want to glean an idea of the direction in which contemporary design is headed, we find ourselves in conversation with the creative team at Gubi. A quick stop at their Copenhagen showroom this September revealed that 70s styling is firmly back on the agenda. Centre-stage was the new Pacha Sofa and Lounge Chairs – made modular by the inclusion of delicate armrests. Whereas the previous Pacha Lounge Chair was destined for sculptural soliloquy, the new additions are free to form ethereal clouds of comfort, drifting together and apart at the click of an armrest.
For the more traditionally-minded, GamFratesi’s new Flaneur & Sejour collections are both worth a look. The former breathes new life into the old English roll-arm sofa — reinterpreting its taut lines with generosity and flair. Sejour, meanwhile, continues the design duo’s experiments with sculpted seating that began with the Beetle — bringing forth a stately lounge chair inspired by the 18th-century slipper typology.
Colourful Conversations at Fritz Hansen
Gubi aren’t the only ones bringing change to the North. The latest collaboration between legendary gallerist Carla Sozzani and Fritz Hansen sees three of Arne Jacobsen‘s most iconic chairs reimagined in 16 energetic new shades. Ranging from deep clay to venetian red, the colourways reveal the Ant, Grand Prix and Series 7 as you’ve never seen them before: rich, warm and down-to-earth.
The original palette of 1968 runs to the cooler side and was so considered and balanced. I instinctively knew I had to go in the other direction.
— Carla Sozzani
Refined, Slimmed-Down Styles at &Tradition
&Tradition’s 2020 collection can be understood as an exercise in reduction — an attempt to create the purest, most refined Scandi expression possible. Such essentialism doesn’t come at the expense of feeling, however. If anything, the new collection is their most poignant yet. Take Rely — a dining chair whose lightweight elegant shell is crafted from 100% recycled plastic — just one of the ways you can vote for change this season. The classic mushroom lamp has also undergone a revamp. All slim lines and brushed bronze finishing, the Como Table Lamp emerges as a striking, portable luminaire for lovers of contemporary design.
Mid-century Modernists Revisited at Menu
The magic of mid-century style is revisited at Menu in their hotly anticipated Umanoff collection. One of the lesser-known American modernists, his use of sculptural forms and organic materials are explored in a wide range of timeless accessories that seek to softly elevate our passions and hobbies. Plant parents will be delighted by the organic rattan planters — a luxurious, handwoven alternative to vases. Wine buffs, on the other hand, will want to pay special attention to the Umanoff Rack. It’s clever leather suspension loops help tip the bottle forwards to wet the cork — ideal for wines that require long-term ageing.
Elsewhere another mid-century icon has also received an avant-garde update. The Knitting Lounge Chair can now be purchased in sheepskin — the cosy, natural material taking Scandi design by storm.
Sculptural Expressions at Carl Hansen & Son
The geniuses at Carl Hansen, meanwhile, have been busy exploring the micro, macro and everything in between. Masters in the art of seating, they present three new versatile solutions: the oh-so-intricate BM0488 Bench, the Sideways Sofa and the much-coveted Mama Bear Lounge Chair. Leading the race in the storage style stakes is the BM0253 Shelving Unit, which taps into Børge Morgensen‘s desire to establish a dialogue between interiors and architecture through simplistic, minimal design. A mix of open and closed units, it represents a fully customisable storage solution, capable of growing organically through any space.
Light Years Ahead at Louis Poulsen
We’ve written extensively about their 2020 novelties, but it was still a breathtaking experience to see them up close in the Louis Poulsen HQ. The listed property in the heart of Copenhagen was brought to light and life by the ethereal shades of the Septima, a Poul Henningsen classic crafted entirely from Italian boriscillate glass. Secluded corners were made all the cosier by the nostalgic hues of the 2/1 Limited Edition while focal points were drawn out by the sleek PH 5 lights, now available in muted monochrome.
New Heights for Danish Brand Muuto
At Muuto, designers are raising the bar with a selection of styles that reject traditional proportions in favour of silhouettes that are better suited to contemporary needs. The Base High Table allows for seated or standing work and is ideal for use in residential or commercial projects. Several bestselling collections have also seen product extensions, with the Doze Lounge Chair in leather a particular standout. Wrapped within its cocooning high back, one discovers an unparalleled island of comfort — a place to read, relax and shelter from the stresses of day-to-day life.
SHOP NEW ARRIVALS FROM THE 3 DAYS OF DESIGN FAIR ONLINE AT CHAPLINS