As Jesper Larsson continued his tour of design exhibits in Milan this spring, he was quite taken by what he saw at Vibram and Smool, two very different companies. Vibram exhibited their Fivefingers shoes, described as “walking barefoot with your shoes on." Named one of the Best Inventions of 2007 by TIME Magazine, the shoes are ideal for trekking, climbing, (wave) surfing, yoga, martial arts and several other things one should be doing instead of surfing the web. (We are guessing that Jesper now owns a pair.)

Smool, a Dutch design studio directed by Robert Bronwasser, showcased some of their designs, including the light-weight wine-rack system Grape, which Jesper’s Italian friend happily bought at a "last day of exhibition" discount price. (Did some of us leave Milan too quickly?) Also on display, some updated Dutch porcelain named "New traditionals" by Robert Bronwasser for Royal Goedewaagen.

+ smool.nl
+ vibramfivefingers.com

Fivefingers



Grape light-weight wine-rack by Robert Bronwasser



Dipvase by Robert Bronwasser



"New traditionals" porcelain by Robert Bronwasser for Royal Goedewaagen



"New traditionals" porcelain by Robert Bronwasser for Royal Goedewaagen



"New traditionals" porcelain by Robert Bronwasser for Royal Goedewaagen