RUNNINGGUIDE06MILAN

Welcome to the latest instalment of the Nike Running × Monocle guides. Previous editions have covered London, New York, Tokyo, Berlin and Shanghai; this time it’s Milan’s turn. The design and fashion capital of Italy, Milan is also the nation’s beating business heart: a city that matches the bel paese’s laidback attitude with entre-preneurial productivity. The pavements of Brera and Zona Tortona may be pounded by the design-conscious during world-renowned furniture fair Salone del Mobile but before the city wakes they’re for runners to explore. Nike and its running club are also taking to Milan’s streets for design week. Exploring the theme of Natural Motion at former factory Orobia 15, Nike will present an exhibition of 10 projects it has created with other designers. Meanwhile, the running club will reveal both secret sights and lauded landmarks as they run. If you can’t wait until 12 April, this guide will give you a head start. Go to the section on healthy-eating spots to find out where to pick up a post-workout recharge, take a look at the latest NikeLab × Gyakusou collec-tion and get inspired by interviews with two furniture designers – and Nike’s own John Hoke. So once you’ve had your fill of great design on the page, don your shoes and head outside: creativity is everywhere on the streets of Milan. For further information visit nike.com/milan.

02 — 06Kit: Gearing upA sneak peek at NikeLab’s latest Gyakusou collection.

07 — 09Refuel: Hit refreshThe healthy and hearty pit-stops to pop into pre- and post-workout.

10 — 11FootwearCelebrate natural movement with Nike’s new Free RN Motion Flyknit.

10 — 13Q&A: InterviewsNike’s John Hoke talks about collaborations and two furniture designers discuss working with Nike.

14 — 17Run: Keeping paceMeet the Nike+ Run Club in Milan as its members describe the benefits of running with others.

18 — 19Routes: Path findersDiscover the city of Milan and its spectacular design sights via six running routes.

20 Extras: Nike at design weekMonocle 24’s new show The Rundown, Nike’s Ready, Set, Go and talks at Orobia 15.

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ADVICE: Go for a walk when you’re taking a break from your running schedule and double the time you normally run for.

ADVICE: If it’s a cold day dedicate at least 10 minutes to your warm-up routine; when it’s hotter, five minutes will suffice.KITNIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

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him design clothes with both fluidity of movement and functionality in mind.

Testing the Gyakusou collection on their home turf are members of the R.A.W club, Nike’s running group for innova-tors. Head to page six to hear more from them.

Visit nike.com/nikelab or selected NikeLab shops

With athletes’ perfor-mance and city runners’ comfort as its starting point, Nike’s latest Gyakusou collection features materials and looks that are at the forefront of innova-tion. Realised with Jun Takahashi, the founder of Japanese clothing brand Undercover, the collection combines the designer’s eye for silhouettes with heat-mapping technology developed by NikeLab.

The Italian weather in spring is unpredict-able so great running gear must adapt. This Gyakusou line is all about temperature: its pieces are waterproof, breath-able and can be easily layered – as well as stored away. With extra rain protection on the shoulders and chest, the Rain Map Jacket will keep you dry in the drizzle, while laser-cut slits in the Impossibly Light Jacket aid ventilation. Skin-temperature maps also informed the size of the slits in the Dri-Fit Racer tank, allowing for adapted sweat control for different parts of the body. And if the sun’s shining, storing your jacket in the quick-pack back pocket of the Dri-Fit Racer shorts will be easy.

In line with Takahashi’s style, bold prints add an edge to the subtle palette. Athletes’ preferences are a constant source of inspi-ration for Nike. That’s why other than taking a cue from the data collected by the Nike Explore Team Sport Research Lab, the line was developed with Takahashi’s Gyakusou International Running Association crew. The fact that Takahashi is a keen runner also helped

KITNIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

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REFUEL NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

On the right trackRATANà Porta NuovaHoused in a building that was once part of the railway yard, Ratanà delivers the goods with a seasonal menu prepared by Milanese chef Cesare Battisti. His focus is Lombard cuisine with a creative twist: start with antipasti of tasty beef carpaccio and mondeghili (Milanese meatballs) fol-lowed by plates of freshly made gnocchi, risotto and lake fish. On your days off peruse the wine list for labels that include biodynamic vintners of Tuscan Syrah and niche producers of white blends from Trieste.ratana.it

All for oneTAGLIO Porta GenovaTaglio is the perfect spot for a well-made coffee or energising smoothie. Simply decorated in exposed brick, it’s an all-day café, restaurant and deli under one roof. Order a tasty panino to go or plop yourself down and tuck into the house eggs benedict or a plate of pasta to recharge. Caffeine lovers will enjoy the daily selection of espressos, which are prepared on a La Marzocco machine. taglio.me

Carb your hungerREFETTORIO BreraNear Parco Sempione, the white walls and hard-wood floors of Refettorio mimic a monastic space. The menu changes daily and focuses on a few dishes. Those in need of carbs can tuck into plates of pizzoccheri (flat-ribbon pasta) or a classic maccheroncini cacio e pepe (macaroni with cheese and black pepper). Sunday brunch involves a veggie anti-pasti buffet and a roast.refettoriomilano.it

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KITNIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

Raffaele, 27Designer and R.A.W founder

“Running makes me feel free and strong but most of all it makes me feel happy – and happiness deserves to be shared. I guess that’s one of the main reasons why I came up with Running Against the Wind (R.A.W).”

Domenico, 28Artist

“R.A.W means measuring ourselves, it means being per-severant and beating the chronometer. It’s about sharing an attitude towards sweat and cement. We are able to stay strong together in Running Against the Wind.”

Valeria, 22Stylist

“Beauty is central in my life: I look for beauty everyday, in everything I do. I joined R.A.W because there’s nothing more beautiful than different identities coming together and inspiring each other to be the best they can be.”

Gaia, 23Singer

“Running allows me to keep raising the bar. Being able to share this passion with friends – members of R.A.W – who inspire me as an individual and challenge me as a runner makes me feel part of something beautiful.”

Oodles of noodlesZAZà RAMEN BreraDutchman Brendan Becht combines east and west culinary traditions in this noodle bar. Patrons tuck into appetizers of onigiri (triangular rice patties wrapped in seaweed) or Japanese dumplings, followed by bowls of ramen (that include vegetarian versions) with a broth that is flavour-ful but less fatty. The health-conscious can opt for noodles prepared with stone-ground wheat flour.zazaramen.it

ADVICE: To counter-balance dehydration, drink lots of water or juice during the day – and stay off the caffeine.

ADVICE: If your training is long and hard, aim to eat about 1.5g of protein for every kilogram of your body weight.

Buys and bites BjORK Porta VeneziaOpened in 2014 and located just north of Giardini Pubblici Park, brasserie Bjork brings a touch of Scandinavian cuisine to Milan. The restaurant-cum-shop is smartly turned out with interiors that mix north and south, from a 1960s chandelier by Hans-Agne Jakobsson to seat cushions from Svenskt Tenn that are paired with handmade Italian chairs and stools from Chiavari. The menu features a selection of smørrebrød (Danish open-faced sandwiches) and smoked salmon, as well as hearty soups and fish courses.bjork.it

Picnic in the parkERBA BRUSCA Naviglio PaveseSituated on one of Milan’s canals, Erba Brusca sits next to parkland; ask chef and avid runner Alice Delcourt for tips on routes to burn off calories. A veteran of London’s River Café, Delcourt takes a Slow Food-style approach to the menu: try the tomato-and-aubergine tarte tatin with basil and stracciatella cheese or the braised lamb with prize-winning couscous. erbabrusca.it

REFUEL NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

Ready, set, bakePAVè Porta VeneziaRecognised by Italian food bible Gambero Rosso as one of the country’s best bakeries, Pavè whips up fresh croissants daily; try the one with the house apricot filling. There are also chocolate bars, panettone, tasty tarts and biscotti for

Vegan ventureMANTRA R.A.W Porta VeneziaItaly’s first vegan restaurant is a sooth-ing pastel-coloured space. Runners get their fill of vitamins thanks to a menu of cold-pressed juices and smoothies that range from an orange juice and a coconut-and-goji-berries drink to an “apple pie” concoction made with pecans, dates and Himalayan salt. For breakfast tuck into banana pancakes with maple syrup, avocado toast or a fruit salad. Come lunch and din-ner the kitchen offers bell-pepper wraps; there’s also courgetti or lasagna with pistachio pesto, as well as pumpkin gnoc-chi with mushroom- and-lemon cream.mantraR.A.Wvegan.com

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days when you want to reward yourself between workouts. For lunch you can order a simple salad with regional cheese or a selection of panini, including a vegetarian pea-cream and beetroot sandwich or chicken and avocado with homemade mayonnaise. pavemilano.com

Q&A NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

SALONE SPECIALMILAN, ITALyNike’s new Free RN Motion Flyknit is a celebration of runners’ natural motion.

Innovative technology enhances natural motion rather than directing it. In the latest evolution of its Free range, Nike is celebrat-ing unrestricted movement with a design that’s as close to a runner’s skin as possible. The new Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit, which will make an appearance on 5 May, liberates mobility by moulding to the specific size and conformation of every foot.

Long gone are the days when a runner had to choose between flexibility and cushioned protection. With its dual-density

03Stretchy and breathable, this single-seam Nike Flyknit bootie has 3D ribbing, a first for Nike’s Free line

04Following a foot’s natural expansion as it hits the ground, the sole has a geometric structure that can both extend and contract

foam underfoot, Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit offers support that never feels limiting. After talking to more than 100 athletes, Nike has discovered that a foot expands by nearly a size every time it hits the ground. Borrowing from the principles of auxetic geom-etry, the brand has devised a structure that extends and contracts to follow a foot’s movement so that each step won’t feel bound by the shoe’s limits.

The sock-like upper is integrated with super-thin flywire cabling for resilient lock-down when you hit high speeds. The natural feel of the Flyknit bootie continues on the flexible undersole too, where tristar geometry is used to provide a perfect ride. To ensure

durability and traction, rubber pods are embedded in key areas of the shoe, such as the heel and fore-foot. Even lighter than its predecessor, at 210g for a men’s size 10, the Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit will put a spring in your step.

With a range of five vivid colours to match its bright potential – and more hues set to be released – this is the first model by Nike to feature 3D ribbing in its Flyknit technology. The result is a shoe that feels pleasant to the touch and seamless to wear.

Spotlight: features1 Ribbed flyknit boot2 Ultra-light structure3 Adaptable sole4 Soft foam underfoot5 Protective rubber pods

“As sport gets faster and its participants grow stronger we must predict rather than react to evolution”

communicate purpose and benefit, all the while feel-ing intuitive. We want to harmonise technology and make a beautiful thing.

you have been at Nike for a long time. What has been your most memorable moment?I have been involved in an array of amazing proj-

ects, including dynamic articulations of our ethos in retail locations, new products at Converse and countless game-changing innovations with Nike. Advances that directly support our athletes are always most memorable. For example, last summer we introduced fresh

solutions for two of the world’s greatest athletes: Ashton Eaton and Serena Williams. For Eaton we created a cooling hood – effectively maximising recovery time – and for Williams a new shoe. Both freed them from distraction and helped facilitate epic performances.

FOOTWEAR10 11

01Offering extra protection to sensitive areas such as the forefoot and heel are rubber pods that ensure durability and comfort

02With thin but resistant fly-wire cabling, this sock-like Nike Flyknit upper offers a close but flexible fit that allows natural movement

As Nike’s vice-president of Global Design, John Hoke heads up a team of more than 600 creatives around the globe who together come up with the forward-thinking ideas behind each collection. During his 24 years at Nike, Hoke has made his mark on a wealth of projects. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t always something to be learned from the industry-leading collaborators he handpicks – as well as the sportspeople who always strive for improvement. Here he reveals the

design principles that he runs with on his way to a new idea.

What does innovation mean for Nike?It always ties to the athlete. As sport gets faster and its partici-pants grow stronger we must predict rather than react to evolution. Innovation is about listening to the athlete – not just their words but also in terms of what we observe and what we can understand through data – in order to both provide what they want and anticipate what they need. Innovation means combining myriad insights into a system of performance that is not just physical. It taps the universal truth that if athletes look good and feel good, they’ll perform better.

How do you choose your collaborations?It’s relatively simple: we choose based on a mutual admiration. We consider collaborators for their unique world views and skill sets. Collaboration allows us to communicate with oth-ers at the cutting-edge of contemporary thought.

How important is it for Nike to interact with other fields of design such as furniture and architecture?What I look forward to when it comes to collaboration is an open conversation about what intrigues the creative community at large; what’s “on point”. Collaboration is a creative gut-check: it allows us to compare reference points and collect new ones. Of course, it also opens up potential for ground-

breaking and industry-defining products.

How do you manage a team of more than 600 designers around the world? Our focus is crystal clear: we can always do better. And athletes are the same: they can always do better too. They are never quite finished and that’s a big call to action to our staff. As designers we’re in charge of what’s com-ing next. And our internal differences allow us to communicate about what we’re all seeing and what will drive the future.

What are the forces at the heart of Nike’s idea of design?Nike’s design is the perfect blend of art and science: it is about joining form, function and emotion. Our aim is to make products that give consumers goosebumps and that

Much has been made of designer Martino Gamper’s spontaneity: his instinctive approach to creation is so unplanned that some have called it improvisational. But despite strad-dling the world of conceptual art and design, his products never lose sight of functionality. First initiated into the world of furniture-making in his native Merano with an apprenticeship at a cabinet-maker, Gamper also studied with sculptor Michelangelo Pistoletto and counted designer Ron Arad among his masters. After rising to fame in 2007 with his experi-mental project 100 Chairs in 100 Days, the London-based designer has worked in fields spanning exhibition design to mass-made produc-tion. For Salone del Mobile, Gamper will foray into the world of sportswear by borrowing some of Nike’s materials and including them in his joyously irreverent, asym-metric and always dynamic designs.

When Nike came calling, what were your initial thoughts?I was excited by the possibility of creating something using Nike’s Flyknit technology.

What materials do you like working with?I’ll work with anything that allows me to experiment.

Which of Nike’s materials has been your favourite?Flyknit offers endless possibilities and it’s been fun using it in

new and perhaps unexpected ways.

What inspired your project with Nike?The idea that an object can make you act differ-ently in a public space.

you work with your wife and other designers. How do collaborations help you to define your personal aesthetics?My wife Francis uses a lot of colour in her work and since we’ve been collaborating I’ve become more colour conscious.

your design is often described as spontane-ous. Do you thrive off constant movement?I think spontaneity gives off a lot of emotion and energy. It’s almost an act of performing but without the audience.

How important is a sense of rhythm in your design? We all carry a certain rhythm within us, even if we’re not aware of it. Innovation is born out of curiosity and that curios-ity keeps me moving.

“I’ll work with anything that allows me to experiment”

Q&A NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

London-based Sebastian Wrong is no stranger to col-laborations. Other than Wrong for Hay, the brand he developed with the celebrated Danish company, most of his work involves joining forces with other creatives. As design development director for furniture brand Established & Sons and founder of retail outlet The Wrong Shop, he has been in touch with all sides of the design industry and met many inspiring minds along the way. Now he has teamed up with Nike for Salone del Mobile to create complex woven chairs; here he talks us through his democratic philosophy.

you started out studying sculpture. Do you think this has influenced the way you look at design?Yes, it makes me think about objects and mate-rials in a formal way and gives me the confidence to express the honesty of shape, form and function.

your background also includes manufacturing. Has this collaboration with Nike allowed you to try out some new materials?Nike’s knowledge of knitting production has

been the fundamental foundation of this project. I enjoyed working on the steel chair frames, which I find are pleasing objects in their own right. The opportunities to use such knitting technology in design are endless.

Many of your projects are centered around collaborations with other designers. Do you find this helps you to express your own ideas?I believe that working col-laborations can produce some great results: two brains are better than one. When it comes down to it, everything is a collaboration in one way or another; we exist as a result of a collaboration, after all.

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How do you choose which projects and designers you collaborate with for your brands?What we do needs to be relevant and have added value. It’s not so much to do with who the designer is but rather the idea that they are bringing to the table.

you’ve often said that the design process takes a long time for you. Why do you think that is?Good design is like good food: it should not be rushed and is worth the wait. Sometimes the most obvious solutions are the simplest but it can take years to realise this.

What has working with the world of sportswear taught you?There are a lot of people who are very passionate about sports in all walks of life and the sportswear industry is massive. It’s truly democratic design for all ages and cultures and has no boundaries. That’s very powerful.

“I believe that working collaborations can produce some great results: two brains are better than one”

ADVICE: A leg massage will help to expel toxins and get your muscles back on track; book one every few months.

ADVICE: When running downhill stay perpendicular to the ground to keep control and reduce impact.RUN NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

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The recently rejuve-nated Porta Nuova neighbourhood, with its towering skyscrapers and landscaped park, has become the symbol of a new dynamic Milan. No surprise then that this is ground zero for the Nike+ Run Club (NRC). Four times a week runners convene outside the Nike shop in Piazza

Milan is where Italy gets down to work and where residents love a good workout after a day at the office. The city’s newfound energy post-Expo 2015 – plus a revamped skyline – make for an eye-opening run through its parks and downtown. The Nike+ Run Club helps you navigate its urban jungle.

Gae Aulenti and warm up their muscles before venturing out to explore the cityscape and put in an energising workout.

NRC sessions are tailored for runners of all fitness levels, whether you are training for a marathon, returning from injury or a complete beginner. Alongside the coaches and trainers you will find “pacers”: fellow runners who serve an important role at each session, whether it’s keeping an eye out for uneven cobblestones and distracted cyclists or simply setting a pace for a particular group so that they can work on improving their mile times.

Weekday sessions typ-ically last for 75 minutes. They alternate between runs that traverse city streets and parks – all the while incorporating cardio workouts – and

ADVICE: A morning run shouldn’t mean less sleep. Stay well rested to avoid strain and speed up healing times.

ADVICE: When running at the right rhythm you should be able to say sentences out loud – and not run out of breath.RUN NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

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practice sessions around an athletic track where participants work on improving their strides and posture as they do laps. Sprints and short runs are paired with exer-cises from jumping jacks to crunches. On Sunday mornings, 90-minute sessions that incorporate a series of exercises and yoga are held in the picturesque Parco Sempione downtown.

Thanks to the cama-raderie at NRC, runners find peers with like-minded goals. Outside of training, NRC organises events to let participants show off what they’ve learned. Not least among them is the Women’s 10km Milano, an annual run attracting thousands of sporting enthusiasts that snakes its way past many of the city’s most prominent monu-ments, from the Duomo to Sforza Castle.

04PORTA NUOVA-CITyLIFE

Milan’s ever-changing sky-line is best viewed on this run that begins next to the five-star Hotel Principe di Savoia. It takes you past the newest collection of skyscrapers in the city, from the Torre Diamante and UniCredit Tower to the CityLife district. This is where the likes of Zaha Hadid and Daniel Libeskind have been commissioned to erect a new neighbourhood on the city’s former fairgrounds.

05 NAVIGLIO GRANDE

Completed in the 13th century, the 50km-long Naviglio Grande canal was once a key trade route for taking goods in and out of Milan; the stone used to build the Duomo arrived via its waters. The street lining the north side, Alzaia Naviglio Grande, is best suited for jogging and towards the end of the route there are several small parks in case you get tired of gazing at the canal.

06 MONTE STELLA

The slopes of Monte Stella are a favourite hangout of the Milanese running community thanks to the short climbs and descents that are hard to find elsewhere within the city limits. The run takes you past the city’s key sporting venues: the equestrian racetrack and the San Siro football stadium, the site of home matches for Inter and AC Milan. The latter has its headquarters and museum in Portello.

Distance: 5km

Best time to run: Weekends

Nearest metro station: Repubblica (Line 3)

Route highlight: Admire the extensive foliage growing on the balconies of Stefano Boeri’s prize-winning Bosco Verticale apartment towers in the Porta Nuova district.

Nike+ tip: Fulfil any running needs at the Nike shop in Piazza Gae Aulenti.

Run further: Run back from CityLife to Parco Sempione to warm down.

Distance: 15km

Best time to run: Weekends or after work

Nearest metro station: Porta Genova (Line 2)

Route highlight: On the last Sunday of each month the Naviglio Grande area hosts an antiques market.

Nike+ tip: There are several pedestrian bridges that cross the canal along the route if you’re in the mood to do some quick cardio work on the stairs.

Run further: Extend your run to Trezzano before turning back.

Distance: 12.5km

Best time to run: Weekends

Nearest metro station: QT8 (Line 1)

Route highlight: At the racetrack spot the 10-tonne horse statue based on a design by Leonardo da Vinci.

Nike+ tip: Monte Stella is equipped with workout stations for stretching.

Run further: Follow the signs for the 4km-loop around Trenno Park or do a full circuit (2.5km) around Monte Stella Park.

PARCOSEMPIONE

BRERA

CHINATOWN

SIMONETTA

VIA CENISIOISOLA

VARESINE

TRE TORRI

PORTA VOLTA

LA FONTANAABBADESSE

VIALE EDOARDO JENNER

LORENTEGGIOVIA FERRUCCIO PARRI

VIA BISCEGLIE

GIAMBELLINO

CANTALUPABUCCINASCO

ASSAGO

ROVIDO

BAZZANASUPERIORE

BARONA

LAMPUGNANO

GALLARATESE

SAN SIRO

VIA GALLARATE

PARCO DITRENNO

VIA DIOMEDE

ADVICE: Run uphill. It helps maintain that all-important upright posture and works against gravity to build up your strength.ROUTES NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

VIALEELVEZIA

VIA MAR

IO PAGAN

O

VIALE EMILLIO ZOLA

PARCO SEMPIONE

ARENA

CIVICA

VIA GIOVANNIBOCCACCIO

CAIROLI

VIALECOL DI LANA

CORSO DI PORTA ROMANA

VIA

ASCA

NIO

SFOR

ZA

VIA CARLO BAZZI

VIA SANTA

SOFIA

VIALE GIAN GALEAZZO

BRERA

BASTIONI

DI PORTA VENEZIA

VIASENATO

VIA PONTACCIO

BORGOGNA

SAN BABILA

GUASTALLA

PORTA NUOVA

BORGONUOVO

BOTTONUTO

CINQUE VIE

01PARCO SEMPIONE

This route is ideal for runners who want to take in a few city landmarks while they circle the park. Sempione hosts the renaissance-era Sforza Castle at one end, while opposite is the Arch of Peace built during Napoleonic rule. To break the monotony of doing laps around the park’s perimeter, which is lined with signs to mark the distance, crisscross its scenic paths.

02PORTA TICINESE

This city course takes you past prominent architectural sites, from the Roman-era columns of San Lorenzo next to one of the city’s surviving medieval gates to the 21st-century buildings that make up part of Bocconi University. Start and end your run at Pope John Paul II Park, which is home to two centuries-old churches and the perfect place for a warm-up.

03CENTRO STORICO & GIARDINI PUBBLICI

This short run starts at Milan’s cathedral, passes La Scala opera house and traverses downtown to the city’s oldest park, Giardini Pubblici. A lap around the gardens covers about 2km and is a popular circuit to get the blood pumping in the morning, after work or at lunch. At the weekend, families frequent the park, which is home to the Natural History Museum and Planetarium.

Distance: 3.5km

Best time to run: Mornings or after work

Nearest metro stations: Cairoli (Line 1), Lanza (Line 2) and Cadorna (Lines 1 and 2)

Route highlight: Pop into the Triennale art-and-design museum in the park for some culture.

Nike+ tip: For speed work run laps around the Arena Civica.

Run further: Head to the Duomo along pedestrian-only Via Dante.

Distance: 7km

Best time to run: Weekends

Nearest metro stations: Sant’Ambrogio (Line 2) and Missori (Line 3)

Route highlight: Set next to the remnants of the 16th-century city walls in Porta Romana, the QC Terme spa has Turkish baths, whirlpools and saunas to unwind post-workout.

Nike+ tip: Refuel with a smoothie at Taglio.

Run further: Return to Bocconi campus and do laps in Ravizza Park.

Distance: 3.5km

Best time to run: Early mornings

Nearest metro station: Duomo (Line 1)

Route highlight: Climb the Duomo’s 200-odd steps to the cathedral’s rooftop to get views of the Alps.

Nike+ tip: Get a boost at Mantra R.A.W, with one of its cold-pressed juices.

Run further: Exit the gardens and take Via Fatebenefratelli, which runs next to the San Marco Church and leads to Parco Sempione.

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ExTRAS NIKE RUNNING 3 MONOCLE

Running the show

In an exploration of what design can do to influence the capabilities of the human body and how we practice sport, Nike has partnered with 10 creatives for exclusive proj-ects developed specially for Salone del Mobile. Head to Nike’s space in Via Orobia to peruse the innovative designs thought up by creatives, including this guide’s interviewees Martino Gamper and Sebastian Wrong, as well as product designers Shane Schneck & Clara Von Zweigbergk, Dutch designer Bertjan Pot, Italian duo Zaven, lighting expert Lindsey Adelman, architect Greg Lynn and experimental furniture-maker Max Lamb. All of the projects shown at former factory Orobia 15 delve into the idea of Natural Motion.

Nike design talksIf you want to find out more about what went into the creation of the designers’ pieces, make your way to Nike’s outpost in Via Orobia at 11.00 every day between 13 and 16 April, when exclusive talks will take place in this mesmerising high-ceilinged warehouse space. Hosted by curator and essayist Gianluigi Ricuperati, these intimate conferences will only be open to 30 people at a time and will involve conversa-tions between Nike’s own creatives and some of the designers they have worked with for the special Salone del Mobile projects. From rhythm to balance, perception to dynamism, the designers will discuss all themes surrounding Natural Motion for an

exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the project.

Getting ahead

With the latest news from the design industry, as well as a guided tour of the best running routes in Milan, Monocle 24’s new show The Rundown will give you a head start every day during Salone del Mobile. Tune in to hear interviews from Nike’s Orobia 15 exhibition and check-ins from the streets of Milan. This programme is sure to set a spring in your step – and a few ideas in your mind.nike.com/milan