2019 has just begun, but it already has its city of the year and it's an Italian city. Milano in fact it was awarded the Design Award in the category Best City, prize awarded by the magazine Wallpaper *. The Ambrosian city happens in this special "roll of honor" in Beirut, Lisbon and Mexico City, just to mention the latest winners. But above all it has managed to prevail over fierce competition. In fact, in the race there were Helsinki, Vancouver, Shanghai and Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), but for Wallpaper * there was no race: the best city of the year is Milan.
Birth and success of a magazine
To understand the real importance of this coronation, however, it is necessary to know who decreed it, that is Wallpaper *. If we want to make a question of authority, the London magazine has nothing to envy to its competitors.
Founded in 1996 by a strange duo of journalists, Canadian Jayson Tyler Brûlé and Viennese Alexander Geringer, Wallpaper * has quickly become a point of reference for many architects, designers and lifestyle. The interest created around the magazine was immediately very high. Not surprisingly, after just a year from his birth, Brûlé sold his creation to Time Inc., the publishing branch of the Time Warner giant. The offer was truly one that cannot be refused: one million six hundred thousand dollars.
Over the years, the London magazine has consolidated its fame to the point of not being affected by the publishing crisis. Crisis that however hit Time Inc. and that brought Wallpaper * to the current publisher TI Media. However, the uncertainty caused by the financial operations that involved it did not destabilize Wallpaper *, which has continued to renew itself over the years. Two examples above all: the series of tourist guides Wallpaper * City Guides and of course the Design Awards.
Milan and its new exciting renaissance
Among the various categories in which the Design Awards are divided, the one that assigns the prize as "Best city of the year" remains one of the most sought after. This year the Wallpaper * jury had little doubt as to who deserved to win. In fact, in their analysis, the capital is living "A new exciting renaissance".
Milan has been considered for decades now the most international of Italian cities. It is one of the fashion capitals and the birthplace of some of the greatest designers, including Miuccia Prada e Giorgio Armani. Milanese architecture is constantly evolving. Just think of the recent constructions such as the Generali Tower designed by Zaha Hadid, Fondazione Prada di Jeff Koons or Gucci Hub di Piuarch with the redevelopment of the former Caproni aeronautical factory. And we cannot forget those that will be inaugurated within the year, such as the Soho House or Museum of Etruscan Art designed by Mario Cucinella. Not to mention that 2019 will be the year of the Three-year, passed under the direction of Stefano Boeri, and which will open its doors from 1 March with the XXII International Exhibition and who will want to be up to the city of the year.
Design Awards 2019: an all-Italian edition
But there is not only Milan to celebrate. L'Italy in fact it is the nation that he got more awards in the latest edition of the Design Awards, triumphing in four categories and getting in total seven nominations. There are some who have not made it to the top step of the podium. Having already entered the list of candidates, however, can be a reason for satisfaction. At least it is for our country, because the excellence of our creatives it seems not to suffer the repercussions of the critical situation that Italy is experiencing from some points of view. Indeed it seems to exalt itself, as if it were a precious asset to be protected and cultivated.
So be patient if the Cracco restaurant, which is based in the city of the year, has not been declared the best new restaurant of 2019. Or if Piero Lissoni and studiopepe they had to settle for being just two of the best designers and not the best. This does not detract from the value of their projects. In short, disappointed but not too much. Then, there is Miuccia Prada who failed to achieve the highest recognition in their category. But at least in this case the place of honor is less bitter. It was in fact the Florentine fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo to establish itself as the best men's collection. The Venetian Nichetto Studio won the award in the category Best Domestic Design with "Star", futuristic multifunction stove, including that of an air purifier. And finally, the well-known lighting brand Artemide has been recognized for the sustainable functionality of the lamp "Gople", created in collaboration with the Danish studio BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group). Not just city of the year, therefore, in 2019 there is much more in Italy.
