Staying zen with 'slow design' at Milan Furniture Fair

A Japanese artisan worknig on a piece for Japanese brand Ritzwell at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan during the opening day on April 18, 2023 as part of the Milan Design Week 2023. Photos: Gabriel Bouys/AFP

"Slow design" was all the rage at this year's Milan Furniture Fair, featuring sustainable creations made with carefully selected and hand-crafted natural materials in sharp contrast to industrial manufacturing.

Amid the frenzied buzz of visitors stood Atsuya Nakamura, quietly sewing a leather sheath to cover part of a side table, his movements calm and precise despite the comings and goings at his stand.