As Milan Design Week kicks off in Rho, both fashion lovers and design fans get to enjoy a huge dose of creativity and new ideas. Apart from the usual furniture showcases at Salone del Mobile, the city is buzzing with exciting projects outside the main event, a lot of them coming from big fashion brands.
Exploring the Fashion Highlights
This year's Milan Design Week is a huge blend of fashion and design, unlike anything we've seen before. Big names like Hermès and Ralph Lauren, along with newcomers like Sabato De Sarno for Gucci, are diving into interior design like never before. Let's explore the best parts of this year's event, where fashion and furnishings come together in a stunning show of style.
Hermès: A Journey Through Time
Creative directors Charlotte Macaux Perelman and Alexis Fabry transport visitors through a visual journey blurring the lines between past and present. With a floor adorned in a tapestry of earthy hues and a corridor showcasing new and archival pieces, Hermès Maison mesmerizes with its timeless allure.
Image Credit: Maxime Verret
Bottega Veneta: Crafting Elegance
Under the helm of creative director Matthieu Blazy, Bottega Veneta pays homage to craftsmanship with an elegant homage to Le Corbusier. From scorched wood finishes to signature woven leather, each piece exudes pragmatic luxury, inviting guests to explore the brand's imaginative world.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta
Gucci: Redefining Italian Design
Sabato De Sarno unveils a bold new chapter for Gucci with his "Ancora red" furniture collection, inspired by Italian design masters. Against a backdrop of vibrant greens and striking hues, Gucci's Milan flagship transforms into a vibrant showcase of contemporary style and sophistication.
Image Credit: Delfino Sisto Legnani
Loewe Lights Up Milan: A Fusion of Craftsmanship and Creativity
Loewe has maintained a strong presence at Salone del Mobile for over a decade under Jonathan Anderson's leadership. Anderson's focus on craftsmanship has garnered attention, evident in this year's collaboration with 24 international artists. The exhibition, held in the Palazzo Citterio's industrial concrete basement, showcased a diverse range of lamps, including standout designs like Enrico David's anthropomorphic bronze and onyx table lamp titled "Sleepwalker." The exhibition's commercial success was evident from the red dot stickers adorning most pieces.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Loewe
Loro Piana: Timeless Luxury
Loro Piana pays homage to Italian architect Cini Boeri with a luxurious display of classic furniture pieces draped in sumptuous fabrics. Against the backdrop of their global HQ, visitors are invited to experience a harmonious blend of heritage and modernity.
Image Credit: Mattia Aquila
Prada: Intellectual Elegance
Prada takes a cerebral approach to Milan Design Week, hosting thought-provoking talks at the Museo Bagatti Valsecchi. From discussions on queer spaces to explorations of domesticity, Prada Frames offers a stimulating escape into the realm of design philosophy.
Thom Browne: Theatrical Charm
Thom Browne brings his signature flair to Milan Design Week with a mesmerizing presentation at the Palazzina Appiani. Models adorned in his new line of bed linens evoke a sense of whimsy and elegance, transforming the space into a dreamlike tableau.
Image Credit: Stefania M. D'Alessandro
Miu Miu: Literary Exploration
Miu Miu embarks on a literary journey at Milan Design Week, spotlighting overlooked women authors at the Circolo Filologico Milanese. With panel discussions and engaging conversations, the Miu Miu Literary Club offers a unique blend of fashion and intellect.
Image Credit: Lucia Di Meo
Dolce & Gabbana: Sicilian Splendor
Dolce & Gabbana invites visitors into a world of vibrant prints and luxurious furnishings at their Milan headquarters. From monochromatic sofas to artisanal collaborations, each piece exudes the brand's signature flair for opulence and extravagance.
Image Credit: Fancois Halard
Moncler: Artistic Expression
Moncler eschews traditional exhibitions for a dynamic showcase at Milano Centrale. Through large-scale portraits and digital billboards, the brand celebrates the intersection of fashion, art, and culture in a bustling railway station.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Moncler
Saint Laurent: Elegant Simplicity
Saint Laurent makes a stylish debut at Milan Design Week with a presentation of Gio Ponti plates at the Chiostri di San Simpliciano. Against the backdrop of timeless architecture, the brand pays homage to Italian design heritage with effortless sophistication.
Image Credit: Simone Bossi
Issey Miyake: Craftsmanship Unveiled
Issey Miyake captivates visitors with an intricate collaboration with the Dutch collective We Make Carpets. From bamboo skewers to clothespins, each piece is a testament to craftsmanship and creativity, echoing the brand's ethos of innovation and artistry.
Image Credit: Valentina Sommariva
MCM: Futuristic Vision
MCM transforms Palazzo Cusani into a futuristic oasis with its "Wearable Casa" installation. With sleek furniture pieces and a transparent greenhouse, the brand offers a glimpse into the future of home design, blending style and functionality seamlessly.
Image Credit: Courtesy of MCM
Diesel: Industrial Chic
Diesel Living showcases its edgy aesthetic with two parallel exhibitions—"Red Takeover" and "Silver Dome." From geometric lamps to modular furniture, each piece reflects the brand's rebellious spirit and commitment to pushing boundaries.
Image Credit: Alessandro Saletta
Fendi: Playful Elegance
Fendi unveils its latest homewares collection at the Fendi Casa store, blending elegance with whimsy. From modular sofas to marble coffee tables, each piece exudes the brand's signature style, offering a playful twist on classic design.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fendi
Balenciaga: Subversive Sophistication
Balenciaga disrupts traditional design with its Art in Stores series, featuring cheeky sculptures in its flagship windows. From logo-printed coffee cups to branded potato chip bags, each piece challenges conventions with wit and irreverence.
Image Credit: Annik Wetter
Zegna: Environmental Consciousness
Zegna transforms its headquarters into an oasis of sustainability, celebrating its commitment to land preservation. With immersive installations and a pop-up bookstore, the brand invites visitors to reflect on the intersection of fashion and environmental stewardship. This initiative honors Ermenegildo Zegna's century-old reforestation project in Italy's Biella Alps, now known as Oasi Zegna, which has seen over 500,000 trees planted across 100 square kilometers. Additionally, Zegna takes custodianship of flowerbeds at Milan's Piazza Duomo, adorning the iconic destination with flora reminiscent of Oasi Zegna for the next three years.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Zegna
Lanvin: Artistic Expression
Lanvin's Milan boutique showcases a vibrant display of the brand's colorful Ballerina shoes and Concerto Bag amidst sculptural benches and chairs. Collaborating with Rooms Studio, the brand offers a contemporary interpretation of its iconic pieces, blending fashion with art seamlessly.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lanvin
JW Anderson: Whimsical Innovation
JW Anderson makes its mark on Milan Design Week with an exhibition featuring artist Patrick Carroll's playful textile canvases. Against the backdrop of the JW Anderson store, the artworks add a touch of whimsy and intrigue, reflecting the brand's avant-garde sensibility.
Image Credit: Courtesy of JW Anderson
La DoubleJ: Vibrant Creativity
Palazzo Belgioioso comes alive with La DoubleJ's kinetic sculpture, "Dancing Plates," and its Solar collection of porcelain plates and Murano glassware. The collaboration with artist Max Siedentopf showcases the brand's playful energy and commitment to joyous design.
Image Credit: Mariela Medina
Rimowa: Stylish Innovation
Rimowa transforms a cozy space into Caffe Rimowa, a retro Milanese coffee bar adjacent to Spazio Maiocchi. Alongside its sleek aluminum espresso machine, the brand introduces its latest product line, blending signature suitcase grooves with midcentury design motifs for a match made in caffeinated heaven.
Image Credit: Rui Wu
Conclusion: Celebrating Fashion's Influence on Design
From Hermès' timeless elegance to Rimowa's innovative chic, Milan Design Week 2024 has been a testament to the enduring influence of fashion on design. As luxury brands continue to push the boundaries of creativity, the intersection of fashion and furnishings offers a captivating glimpse into the future of design. With each exhibition and installation, Milan Design Week reaffirms its status as a global platform for innovation, inspiration, and style.
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