Mickey Bertram Jeppesen Jensen, founder and designer behind MadeBySatelite, prepares for his debut at Salone del Mobile.Milano from 21-26 April. The 36-year-old Danish designer shares a journey sparked by a tribute to his grandmother, whom he saw as a mother figure. That personal origin now propels him to one of Europe's premier design fairs, where he aims to draw attention to his sculptural pieces and build the collaborations needed to sustain his craft full time.
© MadeBySatelite
Mickey Bertram Jeppesen Jensen, Founder & Designer of MadeBySatelite
Tribute to grandmother
'The Deer Chair is my tribute to my grandmother,' says Mickey. 'She was like a mother to me, and everything started with that chair and her.' He insists this story remains central, even as his work gains wider notice.
The piece carries emotional and formal weight. 'The Deer Chair is crafted from 49 layers of veneer, a tribute to my grandparents, as 1949 was the year they met for the first time. I hope the Deer Chair makes a real splash at the fair,' he says. 'It's not something anyone's built before.' Its complexity, nearly two months to construct, means only a roll-up image will appear at his stand. Instead, the physical chair will be displayed at the awards show on 21 April, allowing visitors to inspect it in full.
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Debut at Salone del Mobile
News of his selection came swiftly. 'Actually, it was two weeks after our first interview in November,' Mickey recalls. 'I'm delighted to be at Salone del Mobile. My love for this craft began with my grandmother, and now I've been invited to exhibit at Europe's biggest design fair.' Though aimed at designers under 35, organisers bent the rule for him. 'I am 36, but they like my thing so much, they want me to participate,' he says.
His stand sits at Cargo 3, Span 5, B05 in the Sierra Ro building. There, he will showcase the Dobermann Chair, on which he currently works, plus wall shelves including a new piece called Navis. 'I have designed it out from a sunset underwater and a half model of a boat,' he explains. Recent visibility, including a Times Square feature, adds momentum to this exact moment.
Resourceful preparation
Limited capital shaped Mickey's path from the start. He secured 11 sponsors by targeting quality suppliers. 'I wanted to work with the best because I wanted to make it properly good,' he says. 'I didn't have much money, so starting from scratch meant thinking outside the box for me.'
His approach stays grounded. 'I'll drive to Milan and live at a campsite,' he says. 'In my tent. I love road trips and living in nature.' Preparation involves final touches: 'I'm finishing the Dobermann now, then when I get home I'll order folders and update my website. With all these sponsors, I'm posting a lot on Instagram too.'
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Collaborations and growth
Mickey's ambitions for Milan focus on exposure and partnerships. 'I hope for enough attention to keep creating what I love and share my passion with others,' he says. 'I'd love to work with a gallery or production partner.' That drive stems from necessity and conviction. Everything circles back to family. 'I'm doing all this for my grandmother too,' he reflects. 'If I can honour her there, I'll be happy.'
At 36, with two children, he feels the weight of time amid younger peers. 'When I see the young ones, I feel old,' he admits. Yet his progress, from graduation to Times Square in months, now Milan, shows resolve. The fair offers a platform to turn craft into livelihood, one thoughtful piece at a time.
More information:
MadeBySatelite
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