Jaime Hayon for Bisazza

'This year it's all about the spectacle,' said Jaime Hayon, hours before his Jet Set installation for Bisazza was opened to the press. And spectacle it certainly is. Through the rubble of wrapping and rumble of hoovers that drowned the Tortona stands this afternoon, Hayon's aircraft was spectacular, even under the hands of a host of floor washers and glass polishers.

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Just three months in the making, the life-sized jet has a body and wheels decked out (by hand) with 1cm-squared Bisazza mosaics, a coloured glass cockpit, cut out brass propellers, marble stairs, leather wings and a leather seated area. It's like 'Pimp my Plane' but with a lot more taste and elegance, given the extremes of materials used in close proximity.

Hayon admits this was part of his fun: 'I decided on a jet because there are so many elements to play with. One of the first things I thought about were the propellers and then things just went from there.' The Spaniard went on to say that he was determined to keep the master mosaicists of Bisazza on their toes after his giant Pinocchio of 2007.

But for anyone thinking he's a one trick pony after a big wow, he's quick to point out that Salone is an opportunity to push boundaries, 'Jet Set is an installation - it belongs to something like Salone, which has a lot on show and it's important to make things that stand out and take people by surprise.'

16 April 2008 | Interiors