Milan design week expands in scope every year, offering vast amounts of inspiration but also a challenge: how do you see it all? The truth is, it’s next to impossible to ‘complete’ the event. That’s why we are offering a curated edit of what to see and the launches that matter. See you on the streets of Milan!
‘Made to Measure’ collection, UniFor Presented as part of a grand installation called ‘Non Places’ (pictured top) by Studio Klass, this range for the Molteni Group company that’s expert in high-end office furniture is characterised by angular silhouettes and low-slung seating options. Herzog & de Meuron is behind the designs, with the Swiss architecture practice choosing to favour durable, sustainable materials – such as wood for the structure of the items and cork for the upholstery – to create a timeless offering that will be shown at its showroom in Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli. unifor.it
‘Archibald Delicate Balance’ armchair, Poltrona Frau This brand knows the power of a collaboration, having previously called on the likes of Ozwald Boateng and Fornasetti to re-imagine works from its archive. Its latest partnership, though, is perhaps the most unexpected, especially for a company that’s more than 100 years old. Shepard Fairey, the artist and skateboarding figurehead, was given free rein to update one of its most recognisable chairs, the ‘Archibald’ by Jean-Marie Massaud, with this graphic, contemporary pattern. See it at the flagship showroom on Via Manzoni. poltronafrau.com
MoscaPartners Variations has invited architect Lina Ghotmeh (the talent behind the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion) to create ‘Metamorphosis in Motion’, a maze-like installation at Palazzo Litta. ‘It is a playful labyrinth that activates the courtyard without altering its structure, introducing a contemporary layer that offers visitors a silent pause within the intensity of design week,’ says Ghotmeh of the hot-pink experience. moscapartners.it
‘Spira’ table, Flaer If you were launching a new furniture brand, when would you unveil it to the world? (Hint: there’s arguably only one correct answer.) New kid on the block Flaer took Milan design week as an opportunity to present its much-awaited four-part living-room collection, which features this table with its three twisting legs – the latest talking point of any room. Head to its space on Via Fatebenefratelli. flaer.com
Nina Yashar’s Nilufar Depot will be transformed into Nilufar Grand Hotel, with the venue’s entrance reimagined with a check-in desk and signature bedrooms designed by Allegra Hicks, David/Nicolas and Filippo Carandini. Head to the penthouse suite and you will be met by British designer Bethan Laura Wood’s eclectic welcome. Experiential and conceptual, this shows hospitality through the lens of collectable design. nilufar.com
‘Craig’ sofa, Cattelan Italia On a mission to make this popular sofa by longtime collaborator Maurizio Manzoni even more comfortable, Cattelan Italia has further enhanced the backrest, giving the lounge piece a generous, inviting curve – be the first to see it at the brand’s stand at Salone Del Mobile (Hall 11 Stand A19). An additional benefit of the increased comfort is that it naturally makes socialising easier – think conversation pit, but without the hefty installation costs. cattelanitalia.com
Alcova will this year be split between the Baggio Military Hospital in Milan’s Primaticcio district and Villa Pestarini by Franco Albini – a location that until now has never been open to the public. British designers already confirmed to be showcasing at the event include Faye Toogood, who is set to present new work with Noritake, Lara Bohinc and, for the very first time, interior designer Sophie Ashby. She will be presenting ‘Speak Back’, a new collection of furniture, lighting and fabrics from her Sister by Studio Ashby brand (see above). It will be presented as an immersive sitting room in the hospital’s Casa Delle Suore (a former nunnery that once housed nurses). alcova.xyz
‘CH66’ chair, Cassina If this chair has got you thinking about Marcel Breuer’s tubular steel ‘Wassily’, you’re not wrong. Its creator Nicos Zographos was heavily influenced by the Bauhaus movement when he designed it in 1966. ‘It was the closest I came to a pure and precise kind of chair,’ he explained at the time. ‘It is resilient, elastic and so light it doesn’t encumber space with its mass.’ This year, the cantilevered ‘CH66’ makes a welcome return as part of the Karakter x Cassina collection – to be seen for the first time at the brand’s store on Via Durini. cassina.com
‘Bold’ sofa, Visionnaire Riffing on the utilitarian, blocky designs associated with brutalist architecture, award-winning designer Alessandro La Spada’s sofa is one for contemporary schemes and urban dwellers. It’s perhaps most interesting from the back, where its sculptural form is punctuated by contrasting silver-metal flourishes that lend it an edgy aesthetic. There’s even a double-sided version to intensify the effect when placed in the centre of a room. Hint: also make tracks to the brand’s showroom at Piazza Cavour 3 for ‘Déjà-vu’ – an immersive Listening Room curated by Marco Morandini. visionnaire-home.com
The 64th Salone del Mobile will see the return of the biennial EuroCucina – pop by Officine Gullo (Hall 2, Stand B06) to see its new wine cart – and International Bathroom Exhibition – both of which provide incredible insight into the futures of two of the most important rooms in the home. This year will also see the anticipated launch of Salone Raritas, the event’s first foray into the growing world of collectable design (more on that in our interview with Salone del Mobile’s president Maria Porro in the ELLE Decoration April issue), and ‘Aurea, an Architectural Fiction’. The latter, an installation by Maison Numéro 20, will present Italian luxury within the context of an imaginary hotel. salonemilano.it
‘Sukima’ rug, Jaipur Rugs ‘This collection explores the subtle faces of my architecture,’ explains renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma of his new collaborative collection of rugs that will be on display at the showroom on Via Marco Minghetti. A tribute to some of his most iconic spaces, they come in neutral colours that reference the wood he employs in his work and feature bold, linear patterns that recall his signature slats and panels. ‘Sukima’ (pictured) is designed to transport you from your living room to The Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo, a building covered in striking vertical louvres. Each rug is meticulously handmade by skilled artisans in Rajasthan using wool and regenerated natural-fibre viscose. jaipurrugs.com
Luke Edward Hall dives into the history of Buccellati’s caviar during Milan design week. You learn to expect the unexpected at the world’s biggest design showcase, but a lesson on caviar is a true curveball. The delicacy was the subject of ‘Aquae Mirabiles’, an exhibition by silverware house Buccellati, imagined as an underwater world by the British designer, that will be located across from the brand’s headquarters in Piazza Tomasi di Lampedusa. buccellati.com
‘Ai Weiwei: About Silk’ installation, Rubelli Purposefully designed to provoke, this richly woven silk is one of several designs artist Ai Weiwei produced for an installation at Rubelli’s showroom on Via Fatebenefratelli. Merging textile craft with political expression, this is the first time the artist’s symbolic language has been translated onto fabric. From surveillance cameras to provocative hand gestures, motifs centre on themes of control and free speech – positioning decoration as a form of protest. rubelli.com
‘Borgonuovo’ games table, Armani/Casa This art deco-inspired design taps into our collective desire to lessen screen time and increase social interaction. Crafted from rich ebony wood, the table features a taupe, leather-covered top inlaid with a rotating checkered playing surface and satin-finished light-brass edging. Join the game at the brand’s showroom on Corso Venezia. armani.com
‘Julien’ sofa, Molteni & C One of the more subtle themes running through this year’s Milan design week launches has been a rethinking of how we lounge. This is Vincent Van Duysen’s interpretation, launched on what is his 10th anniversary as creative director of Molteni & C. ‘Every detail has been carefully considered, guided by the idea that one moves around this sofa as one would around a sculpture,’ he says of the piece, which includes glossy lacquered armrest modules that serve as storage. See it at Palazzo Molteni on Via Alessandro Manzoni. molteni.it
Artemest will again be collaborating with some of the world’s most exciting interior designers to transform Palazzo Donizetti into L’Appartamento. In charge of creating memorable rooms this year are The Rockwell Group, Sasha Adler, Charlap Hyman & Herrero, March and White Design, and Urjowan Alsharif Interiors. There will also be a preview of the Gachot by Artemest Collection – Artemest’s Ippolita Rostagno and husband/wife duo John and Christine Gachot’s immaculately crafted pieces that meld Italian and American design sensibilities. artemest.com
RH is continuing its European takeover with its first Italian destination. Bravo! Set within a monumental restored neoclassical palace on Corso Venezia, the seven-level space is a destination for design week, and will continue to be one once the crowds leave. Alongside RH’s interiors and outdoor collections, shoppers can preview RH Estates, a concept showcasing partnerships with industry icons, such as Anouska Hempel and Richard Hallberg. rh.com
‘Insulator’ table lamp, Novocastrian For its debut exhibition at Alcova, this collective of designers and craftspeople presents a lighting range informed by one of Britain’s most prized inventions: the railway. They shone a light specifically on the glass-pin insulators suspended above the UK’s railway tracks, a feat of engineering from the industrial revolution. Handcrafted in northern England, the collection includes table lamps and pendants in three finishes, each featuring ribbed glass that casts dynamic patterns of light. novocastrian.co
‘Lanai’ bed, Poliform We’ve been documenting the changing bedroom-furniture landscape for some time, spurred on by the rise of immersive bed installations. With ‘Lanai’, Yabu Pushelberg responds to this shift, recognising that the bedroom is no longer reserved for rest alone. Celebrating the fact that it functions as a space to inhabit throughout the day, this design incorporates adaptable elements, integrated shelving, layered cushions and flexible surfaces, to support everything from reading and working to lounging. See it at Palazzo Clerici. poliform.it
‘Belt’ sofa, Turri The clue is in the name with this sofa, which has a leather belt (finished by a buckle engraved with the brand’s distinctive ‘T’ monogram, no less) that wraps around the armrests in a tight embrace. The design by Matteo Nunziati can be seen at Salone del Mobile (Hall 9, Stand H11-L10). turri.it
Kelly Wearstler embraces democratic design with H&M Home ‘Part of my ethos is creating tension between an old soul and new spirit,’ says Kelly Wearstler (pictured above with Evelina Kravaev Söderberg, H&M Home’s head of design and creative), who has collaborated on a capsule collection with H&M Home (available worldwide from September). ‘We came up with these dynamic, contemporary pieces; placing them in the 17th-century Baroque-style Palazzo Acerbi creates the most beautiful tension and energy. While H&M is no stranger to fashion collaborations, this is the first high-profile partnership on interiors, and the brand’s (and Wearstler’s) first time showing in Milan. hm.com/home
‘Saddle’ table, Porada Defined by its solid-canaletto-walnut base that branches out from a central column into three elegant supports, this dining table highlights the brand’s profound expertise in woodworking. Best of all, customisation is an integral part of the design, with a variety of tactile finishes available and the choice of either glass, marble, wood or stone for the top. Find it at Salone Del mobile (Hall 9, Stand A03-C02). porada.it
‘Peekachill’ chair, Fendi Casa Joining the luxury fashion house’s furniture universe, this armchair takes design notes from the iconic ‘Peekaboo’ bag, translating its signature design language into a compact, intimate seating piece. Conceived as a smaller, cuter counterpart to the ‘Peekasit’ (launched back in 2023), it will be on display at the Fendi Casa Boutique at Piazza della Scala. fendicasa.com
Fragrance house Byredo has collaborated with Jean-Guillaume Mathiaut for ‘In Conversation With’ – a collection of sculptural wooden seats finished with Japanese ink that speak to both the ethos of the scents and the future of the company. Visit the installation at Chiostro del Cappuccio to witness the melding of scent and architecture. byredo.com
‘Camìla’ sofa, Arflex Elevated on an elegant, inverted ‘T’-shaped metal base, this modular sofa is for those of us who like a real horizontal lounge or, let’s be honest, an afternoon nap. Swedish architecture group Claesson Koivisto Rune designed it so that two or more sofas can be paired together – see it in-situ at the brand’s showroom on Via Visconti di Modrone. arflex.it
‘Corolle’ lamp, Dior Interior designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance was inspired by Dior’s ‘New Look’ clothing line. First shown in 1947, it included the ‘Corolle’ skirt, whose bell-shaped silhouette can be seen in this lamp’s base. Crafted in Murano glass, every lamp (there’s also a portable version, pictured) features one of the house’s founding hues – grey, pink and white – and the initials of Christian Dior. See it for the first time at Palazzo Landriani. dior.com
Located in the previously abandoned tunnels behind Milan’s Central Station, Dropcity will be continuing its collaboration with students from the ‘Material Futures’ masters course at London’s Central Saint Martins. The brief this year was to anticipate the needs, desires and challenges of the near-future, with many different disciplines – science, politics, engineering, fashion, architecture and design – coming together to create innovations, such as holographic surfaces and lab-grown gemstones made from paint waste. dropcity.org
‘Greene’ bed, Living Divani The next step in the evolution of David Lopez Quincoces’ ‘Greene’ furniture family promises to bring the same curved backrests and clean lines to the bedroom. A true investment piece, presented at Living Divani’s gallery on Corso Monforte and its Salone del Mobile stand, it would work just as well in an urban loft as it would in a townhouse. livingdivani.it
It’s to the swimming pool we go with 6:AM to see ‘Over And Over And Over And Over’, the Milanese glassware brand’s new manifesto project. Set within the public pool Piscina Romano, the exhibition showcases new work by the likes of Hannes Peer as well as ‘Batch’ (pictured), a series of blown glass cubes originally created for the set design of the Bottega Veneta Summer 2026 runway show. N.b. swimming goggles optional. 6am.glass
‘Ori’ chair, Rimadesio Pairing two trends – sculptural forms and gothic black – is this quirky release. Designer Giuseppe Bavuso chose to accentuate the arms of the dining chair by giving them a boomerang-like shape that makes it look as though it might take flight at any moment – catch it before it does at the flagship showroom on Via Uberto Visconti di Modrone. Also be sure to head to Palazzo Isimbardi for a celebration of the company’s 70th anniversary. rimadesio.it
‘Loop’ sofa, Ethimo Looking like something you might find miles underwater while on a deep-sea dive, Elena Salmistraro’s playful outdoor design is all fluid lines and organic volumes. See it at the brand’s showroom on Via Felice Cavallotti, where you will also find a Patio Café in the garden – the ideal spot for a moment’s pause. ethimo.com
Bethan Laura Wood explores the vibrancy of Uzbek design as part of ‘When Apricots Blossom’, a takeover of the Palazzo Citterio in Brera in collaboration with the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation. Along with 12 other designers (Bobir Klichev, Didi NG Wing Yin, Fernando Laposse, Glithero, Kulapat Yantrasast, Marcin Rusak, Nifemi Marcus-Bello, Sanne Visser, Sevara Haydarova Donazzan, Studio CoPain, and Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer of Raw-Edges), she has created a custom bread tray and two bread stamps in collaboration with local artisans, drawing attention to one of the three core pillars of Karakalpak culture: food. Fresh bread will be baked inside the palazzo (decorated with tassels by Laura Wood) over the course of the week for hungry visitors. acdf.uz
‘Zaho’ table, Baxter Sometimes, all you need to transform your dining room is one statement item. Christophe Delcourt’s monolithic stone dining table doesn’t fail to deliver. See it aongside the rest of the new collection at Baxter Cinema on Largo Augusto before hopping aboard the Baxter-designed tram that will be making trips around the city, starting nearby and ending at Piazza Fontana. baxter.it
‘Glen Soft’ chair, Calligaris Everyone’s favourite Calligaris chair has had a makeover which you can see first hand at Salone Del Mobile (Hall 18, Stand A15-B18). Previously available with an upholstered seat and backrest, Gino Carollo’s design now extends that treatment to the legs, wrapping the entire form. It’s a softer, more tactile version that guests will perch on long after the digestif has been served. calligaris.com
After launching its first international edition in Tokyo last year, Capsule Plaza – part furniture fair, part design collective – will return to Spazio Maiocchi and other satellite venues across Milan during design week. This year, the main venue’s spatial design will be the work of young local studio NM3, which specialises in the use of raw materials and multisensory experiences. Expect an industrial edge to the show, with the brands that will be presented bridging the gap between beauty and technology, craft and innovation. 20-26 April, capsule.global
‘Core’ dining table, Bontempi Curved furniture may still be a big trend, but this new launch by architecture and interiors studio E-ggs for the brand offers a more lightweight, structured take on it. The ‘Core’ table’s aluminium legs are joined by a concave structural element that creates a sense of movement and a relaxed feel that is in visual friction with the crisp lines of the tabletop. Spot it at Salone Del Mobile (Hall 14, Stand C25-D25) or at the showroom on Via Turati. bontempi.it
This design week, Tom Dixon released new products – including this ‘Smash’ table – but it’s where they were showcased that has people talking. The British designer, who already has a self-designed restaurant in Milan, The Manzoni, invited people to view his new pieces inside the Mua Mua Hotel. The 12-room Dixon-designed micro-hotel, which opens to the public after this takeover and includes a collaboration with Vispring, with whom the designer created four headboards and a bed, is located in the Mulino Estate. A new answer to: ‘Where are you staying in Milan?’ tomdixon.net
‘Luminor’ cabinet, Maxalto Antonio Citterio utilises PVD for the first time outside of his kitchens for Arclinea. The film, applied to metals to increase the durability of their finish, comes in yellow or rose gold on the cabinets in this collection, the beauty of which is amplified by a bronzed-glass top. Spot it at the Maxalto showroom on Via Durini. maxalto.com
‘Formentera’ outdoor sofa, Roche Bobois Visitors to this exuberant French furniture brand’s showroom on Via Felice Cavallotti will be treated to a look at the pieces in its new outdoor collection, which has been created in collaboration with American designer Stephen Burks. He is an industry name renowned for his inclusive approach to creativity, and his own ceramic-topped ‘Catalina’ table is joined by this sofa by Philippe Bouix, which embodies cheerfulness with its Missoni upholstery. roche-bobois.com
British design royalty Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby are being honoured with a retrospective of their design careers at the Triennale di Milano. The installation, named ‘Alphabet’, coincides with Barber Osgerby studio’s 30th anniversary and serves as the perfect opportunity to look back on an extraordinary body of work. Read an interview with Barber, reflecting on three decades in design in the ELLE Decoration April issue. triennale.org
The Rosewood Milan (planned to open next year) is already making its mark as a future icon of the city’s design scene – situated within the historic Palazzo Branca and Palazzo della Banca Commerciale Italiana – with its first Milan design week exhibition. ‘Objects that Speak’ will be a showcase of bamboo lamps by Andrea Branzi, a founding figure of the Italian Radical Design movement. Each produced in the period before the designer’s death in 2023, these works (some of which reach up to three metres in height) will transform the location on Corso Como (Via Carlo De Cristoforis, 1) into an atmospheric garden of light, curated in collaboration with Deyan Sudjic. rosewoodhotels.com
Louis Vuitton will be taking over the frescoed grandeur of Palazzo Serbelloni once more to present its breathtaking ‘Objets Nomades’ designs that showcase the height of craft. A highlight will be the ‘Pierre Legrain Hommage’ collection of furniture and accessories that pays tribute to Pierre Legrain, one of Louuis Vuitton’s most important creative partners and an icon of art deco design. louisvuitton.com
For its fourth edition, Convey swaps its Porta Venezia location for a much bigger, more central destination: the Convey Building in the city centre (pictured). Spread across five floors (make sure you head all the way up to the rooftop), you’ll find a diverse roster of exhibitors such as Completedworks, USM and Woak. The space will also play host to a curated series of events, from Georgian brandy tasting with Rooms Studio to a lunch with chef Sebastian Funck. conveyproject.com
British bathroom company Geberit presents ‘Flow.Form.Function’, an immersive installation by Swiss design studio atelier Oï on via Tortona – a trendy street in the city that is fast becoming a magnet for design aficionados. Alongside uncovering some of Geberit’s novelty products, there will be a shimmering stainless steel flowing structure through which water cascades. geberit.co.uk
Marking the 40th anniversary of its iconic all-in-one training system, ‘Unica’, Technogym presents ‘Unica Mente’, a video art installation curated by Felice Limosani (who counts the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre as past clients) at its Via Durini store. Through real and virtual imagery, the works explore the connection between body and mind, with the help of 40 figures across sport and culture. technogym.com
Fittings manufacturer Dornbracht will transform its two-storey Brera showroom into a dreamy site where new designs and creativity collide. At the heart is an interactive, majestic cloud installation on the second floor, which is designed to inspire and spark imagination. Elsewhere, Argentine design brand Konqrit, known for its concrete bathroom pieces, joins forces with artist Catalina Ruiz, who will paint floral illustrations onto the basins in real time. dornbracht.com
The historic Palazzo Crespi opens its doors for an immersive showcase of Kaldewei’s bathroom novelties. German designer Stefan Diez presents the ‘Nuio Duo’, an innovative infrared-heated bathtub that promises to reimagine the bathing experience. Don’t forget to register for ‘Bubbles of Time’, a panel discussion taking place on April 21 at 7pm, that will explore the cultural and design shifts that have played a role in the creation of the modern bathroom. kaldewei.co.uk
