From Milan to London: Global Design Weeks as Indicators of Creativity and Commerce
Global design weeks reflect the industry’s shifting focus from creativity to commercialisation. Milan’s Fuorisalone highlights luxury brands yet exposes the risks of commodification in design. Concurrently, London’s upcoming cultural events underscore its unique blend of sectors but face challenges like the high cost of living. Both cities must navigate economic pressures while redefining their roles in an evolving creative landscape.
Global design weeks are becoming increasingly important as indicators of the industry’s challenges and ambitions. Events like Milan’s Fuorisalone showcase lavish displays from big names like Hermès and Google, highlighting a shift towards sensory experiences rather than substantive innovation. While these opulent exhibits attract crowds, they also reflect a troubling commodification of design, prioritising viral marketing over genuine problem-solving capabilities.
The economic landscape is, of course, in flux. Milan’s design scene is insulated somewhat by its well-established support from the government, which recognises the sector’s critical role—accounting for a significant portion of employment and revenue in Europe. Nonetheless, this resilience is juxtaposed against the backdrop of rising living costs and a growing focus on commercial gains over social purpose. It raises questions about the sustainability of such hyper-commercialisation in the long run.
Creative hubs are popping up beyond the main tourist trail in Milan, featuring work that challenges the status quo. Exhibitions like BASE Milano’s “We Will Design” delve into urgent themes such as environmental sustainability and surveillance. Furthermore, spaces like Drop City aim to showcase innovative ideas that critique systemic crises, but not without fears of gentrification driving out emerging talents in favour of more commercially viable projects.
As Milan wraps up its design festivities, London gears up for a wave of its own cultural events, running from March to October. The London Design Festival and other events aim to harness the city’s varied creative infrastructure, bringing together different sectors beyond just design. Yet, as in Milan, the high costs of living and gentrification threaten to stifle the burgeoning creativity of young designers.
London designer Andu Masebo speaks on the multiple crises facing the city, noting how these have led to a chilled atmosphere for creativity despite the potential for growth. According to leading voices like Minnie Moll of the Design Council, shrinking budgets and rising costs are squeezing local designers, curtailing public investment in design initiatives.
However, there are signs of creative resilience emerging in areas outside of central London, such as the Design District in Greenwich. But whether these new centres can replicate the vibrancy of London’s traditional creative hotspots remains to be seen. London’s deputy mayor, Justine Simons, warns that gentrification could jeopardise these valuable creative spaces unless preventive measures are taken.
Both Milan and London are navigating a changing landscape full of internal and external pressures. Facing an uncertain future, they must tackle deep-rooted inequalities while defining their unique identities anew. In this unfolding drama, cities in Europe and beyond—like Lisbon and Dubai—are increasingly vying for creative talent and attention, prompting an evolution of design culture on a global scale. The centres of creativity that once seemed untouchable may need to adapt or risk losing their relevance altogether.
In summary, global design weeks have become potent indicators of economic and cultural trends within the design industry, highlighting the tensions between commerce and creativity. Both Milan and London, traditional design capitals, are grappling with economic challenges and rising costs that threaten their creative ecosystems. The push towards commercialisation raises questions about the future of genuine innovation in design, as cities worldwide emerge as new contenders in the global creative scene. It remains to be seen how the established centres adapt to maintain their relevance amid shifting cultural dynamics and economic realities.
Original Source: www.stirworld.com
