by Stefano Casciani

The autumn frenzy of hundreds of biennials, festivals, design weeks and weekends in Europe is about to calm down. The overall result in terms of communication is certainly positive, the progressive waves of NS (Narcissitic Supply) satisfy the gym-trained egos of designers, more or less young and more or less awaiting their turn on the cover.

But has this Indian Summer been useful for the manufacturers - what used to be called industries - of design, especially the Italian ones that are and remain at the top? Tempted by media suggestion they succumb to the flattery of this or that capital - London at the top at the moment - they present with their image and consistent investments but signs of commercial recovery are not in sight, apart from some - very weak - in the US for those who can afford to enter that market. In absence of a public “policy” for design, the industries that still produce authentic innovation hold onto their convictions, navigate in the deadly calm, steel their nerves, even when one learns that Ikea - Armageddon of distribution that has annihilated many small furniture producers - is to launch its first Italian megastore: where they will sell not just Billy and Klippan but all known goods.

In the picture: Grid: Loertoer, Guild of Designers, Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven