Writing the letter for our May issue always
feels like a very special moment. It’s the
last page to go, signifying the closing of
one of our bigest and best editions, the
Salone del Mobile preview issue. There is a
sense of slightly exhausted celebration at
Wallpaper’s London HQ as we press print
and prepare to pack our bags for Milan.
But just as special is that it coincides with
the irst shoots of spring. The dark cold
winter is behind us and there is a surging
feeling of optimism, renewal and wellbeing.
This promise of mental and physical
buoyancy, the returned spring in our step,
was the inspiration for the theme of this
year’s Wallpaper* Handmade exhibition:
Wellness + Wonder.
Our legendary annual design showcase
(now in its ninth year!) sees us invite
designers and artists to collaborate with
craftspeople, makers and manufacturers
from around the world in the creation of
extraordinary, beautiful and unique pieces.
The 2018 edition tackles the cult of
self-improvement – the quest for mental
and corporeal wellbeing, the long and
winding journey towards a better you.
We have commissioned pieces that exercise
the cerebellum and work out the glutes,
products that replenish the body, jet-wash
the life force and restore inner harmony.
You can’t accuse us of a lack of ambition.
Wallpaper’s design spa for self-renewal
and sanctuary of contemporary craft is
once again being held at the Mediateca
Santa Teresa, Brera, so if you’re in Milan
between 17 and 21 April, don’t miss out.
You’ll get to experience our bristle-coveredSpring action
Newsstand cover
Photography:
Leon Chew
Our Milan Preview
features two newsstand
covers, with (top)
‘BHSD’ creatures by
Maarten Baas and
(above) ‘Toyboy’ by
Fabio Novembre,
both for Lasvit’s Monster
collection, see page 162Limited-edition cover
by Phillip K Smith III
California-based artist
Smith created our
special cover inspired
by his mirrored
installations for COS at
Salone del Mobile. See
our interview, page 180
Limited-edition covers are
available to subscribers,
see Wallpaper.com
Wallpaper* is printed
on UPM Star, upm.commassage seating by Xavier Lust and
Kent Brushes, a huging column by
Mae Engelgeer and Savoir Beds, an Indo-
Roman post-gym dispensary by Federica
Biasi and Antolini, and our mind-and-body
playground by Maarten Baas and Henge,
among other restorative mechanisms.
Also look out for some special guests.
This year, as part of an initiative with
the DesignSingapore Council, we’ve
invited seven Singapore-based creatives
to join the Handmade gang. Studio Juju,
Theseus Chan, Olivia Lee, Stolen, Gabriel
Tan Studio, WOHAbeing and Edmund
Zhang have all transported their talents
6,400 miles to Milan. Their contemplative
contributions include: a ritualistic cleansing
plinth made with Fox Marble, healing
bookends with Riva 1920, a wellness cabinet
with Nature Squared, a relexology wall
and path with Villeroy & Boch, fruit altars
with Ton, a hybrid shower-bath with
Apaiser and a therapeutic squeezing lamp.
Singapore is very much on our radar
as one of the world’s fastest-developing
design destinations, so it’s been a delight
to spend some time there (also see our
Brainstorm Design Conference) discovering
and now showcasing and celebrating its
dynamic and creative spirit. The city-state
has a great deal going for it, but its
equator-huging geographical position
leaves it with no true, distinct seasons.
A bit of a drawback for this lover of
spring. Still, Singaporeans are renowned
for their strategic problem solving and
I’m sure they’re working on this one.
Tony Chambers, Brand & Content DirectorMAARTEN BAAS AND
HENGE’S MIND-AND-BODY
PLAYGROUND FOR
WALLPAPER* HANDMADE
SHOWS THAT SALONE’S
REAL FUN OF THE FAIR IS
TO BE HAD AT OUR
WELLNESS + WONDER
EXHIBITION, MEDIATECA
SANTA TERESA,
VIA DELLA MOSCOVA 28,
17 TO 21 APRIL072 ∑
EDITOR’S LETTER