Architects and Designers at the Fair

The Milan Fair proved a challenging training ground for Italy’s architects and designers. Every year, there were countless new pavilions, stands, and panels, all designed by some of the biggest names in the industry. Especially in the postwar era, major Italian companies from the widest of sectors—from the steel industry to mechanics, chemistry to telecommunications—would place the design of their stands and exhibitions in the hands of masters of the calibre of Franco Albini, Luciano Baldessari, Erberto Carboni, the Castiglioni brothers, Enzo Mari, Bruno Munari, and a great many more.

The fair was always transitory by nature, as stands would come and go every year. While that would give artists the freedom to experiment and create, on the other hand, for those who could not make it to the fair, they missed out on seeing the highly original stands on show.