While Italian designs are often renowned for their slick, contemporary styling, chair introductions at the 32nd edition of Promosedia gave a nod to the past — with a thoroughly modern slant, of course.

Part of the Fashion for Chairs exhibition, the ornate swan chair was designed by Carlo Pignatelli for Carlo Pignatelli Home.

This played out in delicate, tapered legs, creative cutouts and curves upon curves that added just a swish of the feminine. In addition to bold black and white pairings, a rainbow of color instantly updated with a slightly mischievous spirit. Hues of fuchsia, magenta and violet topped the list of on-target colors, followed by avocado, moss, ruby, bright blue, saffron and orange.

Referencing influences as diverse as Louis XIV to Michael Thonet, the reinvented designs are rendered sophisticated and streamlined.

Noteworthy detailing included aerodynamic shapes, low-slung forms and tufting, as well as ramped-up outdoor looks. Polycarbonate designs were prominent, again shown in the full spectrum of color, and the most interesting looks featured faceted patterns that shimmered like jewels. Pale wood, either unfinished or in a softly natural finish, exhibited a crisp, contemporary perspective that rivaled the kaleidoscope of color.

Designed by Luigi Dominioni for L'Abbate, the tufted velvet Pole Position, above, reinvents the classic bergere with a contemporary, low-slung silhouette.	Punk, designed by Studio Archirivolto for Green SrL, won chair of the year in the contract division and allows for changing colors of the seat and backrest in up to 25 combinations.	Debi mixes primary-hued nautical rope with a slim-lined metal frame in these sleek and stylish chairs, shown in several vibrant options

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Promosedia presented a retrospective exhibit of past design winners.	Caiazza Memorial Challenge invites designers under 40 to submit ideas, with the winning designs produced and displayed at the show. The winning chair, Nube, above, was designed by Tomas Alonso of Spain and referenced the classic Thonet chairs with a more contemporary visual language.	Malina's delicate, modern chair pops with very violet upholstery, setting off fragile tapered legs and cutout back.