MILAN — As Denmark’s capital prepares for its three-day annual design festival, Danish industry leaders are cautious concerning the remainder of 2023, given the nearby war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the rising cost of living.

“The war in Europe has made a problematic impact on the design sector and could possibly be a difficult 12 months for a lot of firms,” said 3daysofdesign managing director Signe Byrdal Terenziani, adding that many design firms increased their profit in 2022 versus 2021 and that rally may slow within the near term.

The tenth edition of the design showcase will run from June 7 to 9 with events from about 300 local and international brands.

The three-day event will unfold under the “Where Would We Be Without You?” theme as an homage to the unsung heroes — from the engineers to the artisan hands — behind the long means of making design pieces last.

“We would really like to honor the faces and aspects hidden from view that make a design a reality. Because behind every design, there are countless questions and conversations, challenges and changes. Limitless prototypes, processes and procedures. Unseen variables with unexpected outcomes. Not to say innumerable hours of fine-tuning before an idea sees the sunshine of day,” the organization said.

Denmark’s furniture market is predicted to generate $4.18 billion in revenue this 12 months in comparison with $3.68 billion in 2022, in accordance with a Statista report released in April. This number is predicted to rise to greater than $5 billion in 2027. By comparison, Italy’s furniture market is predicted to generate $17.6 billion in 2023. Denmark’s largest market segment is lamps and lighting with a forecasted market volume of $870 million in 2023.

“One area that we foresee contributing to its long-term growth is the thousands and thousands of Millennials who’re preparing to purchase their first home in the subsequent three to 5 years. With a purpose to capitalize on this powerful market driver, retailers should pay close attention to the buying behaviors of Millennial consumers and make the crucial adjustments to capture market share,” Statista said.

Despite the rosy economic outlook, private firms are forecasting modest growth.

An urbanite brand with a recent perspective on Scandinavian Design, rooted within the Scandinavian design tradition, Muuto will showcase its recent collection in its Copenhagen store and at its headquarters through the design festival.

“To date, for us, 2023 has been surprisingly good all things considered, but [overall] there may be numerous uncertainty on account of the war, energy, rates of interest, whether or not mortgages will likely be dearer. When people ask, ‘How much money do I even have?’…investment in design furniture is something some people postpone,” said Muuto chief executive officer Anders Cleemann.

Going into the design festival, Muuto will shine a light-weight on sustainable materials and fundamental well-being through its functional, modernist creations. 

“It’s all about promoting an increased awareness regarding being surrounded by organic materials and furniture that makes you are feeling comfortable and comfy so you possibly can concentrate on an important thing with regards to work and with regards to living well,” Cleeman said, highlighting the corporate’s Scandinavian design values founded on honesty, functionality, simplicity and craftsmanship.

“We’re dedicated to the Scandinavian design tradition. On the earth we reside in, we will’t be every thing for everyone. We don’t follow trends or fashion. Our designs are very honest of their expression, easy design with well-thought detailing,” Cleeman added. 

Accessible brand Ferm Living noted that raw material prices increased through the COVID-19 pandemic, across all categories, but specifically, wood, metal and textile prices grew significantly.

“We experienced a robust interest within the brand in 2022 and at the moment are able where our brand has been established as certainly one of the leading Danish interior brands. Nonetheless, given the uncertain times we’re experiencing, we expect only moderate growth in 2023,” Trine Andersen, Ferm Living founder reflected, adding that raw material prices have decreased and are steadier. “They aren’t back to what they were before COVID-19, but I doubt they will likely be again,” she added.

Ferm, known for its easy, on a regular basis living pieces, plans for 3daysdesign involve a large-scale exhibition under the “Art of Home” theme, where the firm will explore the boundaries between art and design. The Dal Piece will likely be on display — a creation from its collaboration with Norwegian designer and sculptor Anna Maria Øfstedal Eng, who is thought for creating sculptural furniture pieces and interior objects that challenge the boundaries between art and functionality.

Copenhagen’s multifaceted space Audo House will host the debut of Audo Copenhagen, the results of a merger between two Danish torchbearer brands By Lassen and Menu. The newly named brand will showcase designs by famed Twentieth-century Danish modernists: the Kubus collection by famed architect Mogens Lassen and the Drained Man by his brother Flemming Lassen and recent ones designed by Audo Copenhagen’s design and brand director, Joachim Kornbek Engell-Hansen, the grandson of the Menu founder Simon Hansen.

Daniel Lalonde, CEO of Audo Copenhagen’s parent company, Design Holding, recently announced ambitious targets and said the corporate expects to achieve the 1 billion euro mark in only a couple of years. 

Founded in November 2018, Design Holding, the leading global high-end design group, comprises iconic brands B&B Italia, Flos, Lumens, Arclinea, Maxalto, Azucena, produces Fendi Casa through a three way partnership with the Roman fashion house and in addition owns fellow Scandinavian brand Louis Poulsen, which is able to showcase its recent designs at its eponymous showroom and debut a collaboration with Heven, which makes handblown glassware. Design Holding has a presence in greater than 130 countries. 

In and around town, known for its easy bike lanes and waterfront vistas, talks on sustainability and technology, in addition to recent collections from established international brands like Molteni&C and Artemide, will unfurl next week. Research and design lab Space10 and 3daysofdesign will present “Materials of Tomorrow,” an event aimed toward radically rethinking material systems to design more sustainable and healthy homes at Copenhagen Contemporary space.

At town’s Junction venue, Copenhagen-based design and architecture studio Spacon & X and 3daysofdesign will unveil a table assembled from repurposed materials, envisaged as a unifying centrepiece, effectively revitalising an underutilised area. “Our aim is to increase a gracious invitation to each local residents and visitors alike, encouraging them to interact, connect, and gain profound insights inside this distinctive and provoking community,” Spacon & X said.

Indeed, solutions will likely abound on the fair, focused on safeguarding the planet for the long run, Byrdal Terenziani concluded.

“We live in a world where it is obvious that we stand on the shoulders of those that got here before us. Firstly, we will thank them for all their work that has led to us being where we’re today by way of development. Secondly, we want to work together to maneuver forward and create a world that our great-grandchildren can enjoy 100 years from now.”