Milan Design Week continues to expand, with a growing number of inventive installations, collaborations, product releases, events, exhibits, gallery shows, talks, and parties. These diverse activities now overshadow the already massive Salone del Mobile.Milano and vie for attention alongside the burgeoning success of Alcova. Every April thousands of journalists flock to Milan, eager to capture the highlights, compile “best of” lists, and network with leading designers from around the world. Yet the week’s sheer scale makes it impossible to cover comprehensively. You experience what you can, and it rarely disappoints. Here are some of this year’s highlights.
Terminal 02 by SR_A & Kohler
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- At the Palazzo del Senato, Samuel Ross and his studio SR_A showcased the Formation 02 smart toilet. Photo by Chris Force
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- Visitors wandered through the setup, observing the flow of water in a dramatic, immersive environment. Photo by Chris Force
At the Palazzo del Senato, Samuel Ross and his studio SR_A showcased the Formation 02 smart toilet, giving the KOHLER Eir a bold, bright makeover. This limited edition toilet was part of the Terminal 02 installation, a maze of vibrant orange industrial pipes. Visitors wandered through the setup, observing the flow of water in a dramatic, immersive environment. The installation’s “Haptic Orange” color paid tribute to Kohler’s 1967 “Tiger Lily” product and Samuel’s signature hue. Against the historic Baroque backdrop, the event highlighted the innovative partnership between Kohler and SR_A, following a common Milan Design Week approach of blending tradition with cutting-edge design.
Re/Creation by Lasvit at Milan Design Week
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- Porta, a monumental installation designed by Art Director Maxim Velčovský was crafted in Europe’s largest glass kiln. Photo by Chris Force
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- Lasvit created a serene escape at the Palazzo Isimbardi. Photo by Chris Force
Lasvit created a serene escape at Palazzo Isimbardi. The Re/Creation event offered visitors a tranquil spot to unwind in the lush inner courtyard, be inspired by the fluid grace of molten glass, and occasionally be enveloped in a gentle, man-made fog.
The centerpiece was Porta, a monumental installation by Art Director Maxim Velčovský, crafted in Europe’s largest glass kiln. Also on display was the Nebula lighting collection by Claesson Koivisto Rune, merging Scandinavian design with Bohemian glass artistry, and Bois de Cristal by Maria Čulenová, a unique fusion of wood and glass. The event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Neverending Glory series by Jan Plecháč and Henry Wielgus with a special gold edition.
5VIE Design Week & Design Space AlUla
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- Nifemi Marcus-Bello showcased Omi Iyọ, a stainless steel sculpture highlighting the perilous Mediterranean crossings faced by migrants. Photo by Chris Force
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- Dutch architecture studio Cloud and designer Sabine Marcelis created a lounge promoting AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Photo by Chris Force
Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello showcased Omi Iyọ, a stainless steel sculpture at 5VIE Design Week at Palazzo Litta, highlighting the perilous Mediterranean crossings faced by migrants. Named after the Yoruba word for saltwater, the piece is inspired by migrant boats and is designed to evoke reflection. It features salt slowly trickling out to form a pile on the floor. Proceeds from Omi Iyọ’s sale will support a migrant aid charity.
Back in Brera, Dutch architecture studio Cloud and designer Sabine Marcelis created a lounge promoting AlUla, Saudi Arabia. The lounge features a large seating area with a central table by French design studio Hall Haus and ambient sounds from fabric-covered speakers. Sabine and her partner Paul Cournet of Cloud added a large overhead cylinder light that mimics AlUla’s downward-facing lights to limit light pollution.
The lounge also included sculptural chairs by Leo Orta, lamps by Studio Raw Material, and furniture made during AlUla’s design residency. A massive steel screen by Bahraini Danish and wooden platforms by Leen Ajlan served as the background for the space.
Biophilic Series by Tai Ping at Milan Design Week
Tai Ping launced the Biophilic Collection, offering 16 carpets made from undyed, natural, and sustainable materials, inspired by organic forms and landscapes. The collection consists of hand-tufted carpets with intricate techniques and finishes, such as gradations and multi-level pile heights. Named after essential oil plants and influenced by the Japanese tie-dye technique Shibori, these designs reflect Tai Ping’s commitment to sustainability and creativity.
Saint Laurent Honors Gio Ponti with Exclusive Plate Collection
Saint Laurent Rive Droite presented an exclusive collaboration with the Gio Ponti Archives. Photo courtesy of Saint Laurent
Saint Laurent Rive Droite presented an exclusive collaboration with the Gio Ponti Archives and the Fundación Anala y Armando Planchart. Curated by Anthony Vaccarello, the exhibition at Chiostri di San Simpliciano showcased a unique plate collection originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1957 for Villa Planchart in Venezuela.
In 1953 Anala and Armando Planchart commissioned Italian architect Gio Ponti to build an avant-garde villa overlooking Caracas. For the interior Gio Ponti collaborated with Italian artisans, including Ginori 1735, to create porcelain tableware featuring motifs like the sun, crescent moon, polar star, and the letter “A,” honoring the villa’s owners.
Saint Laurent Rive Droite, in partnership with Ginori 1735, has reissued 12 original plates from the Villa Planchart Segnaposto collection.
Interzone by Muller Van Severen
BD Barcelona, in collaboration with Belgian design duo Muller Van Severen, presented Interzone at Capsule Plaza. Photo courtesy Capsule
BD Barcelona, in collaboration with Belgian design duo Muller Van Severen, presented Interzone at Capsule Plaza. Founded by Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen in 2011, the duo is known for blending surrealism, sculpture, and architecture. Capsule Plaza, a hybrid fair and collective exhibition, brought together designers and companies from various creative fields, merging industry and culture. The show was co-curated by Alessio Ascari and architect Paul Cournet.
The Topography of Matter by Hermès
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- Hermès presented a new home collections around the theme, “The Topography of Matter.” Photo courtesy of Hermès
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- These lamps by Hermès were inspired by equestrian equipment and feature slender stems in braided two-tone leather. Photo courtesy of Hermès
Hermès presented a new home collections around the theme, “The Topography of Matter.” The show mixed new work with heritage objects, showcasing timeless designs inspired by raw materials like bricks, stone, slate, wood, and compacted earth. The display features items such as the Diapason d’Hermès armchair, with its modernist design and hammered aluminum frame, and the Voltige d’Hermès lamps, characterized by their equestrian-inspired slender stems in braided two-tone leather.
L’Appartamento by Artemest
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- VSHD Design’s dining room juxtaposed baroque opulence with sleek modernist furniture. Photo courtesy of Artemest
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- Elicyon’s cocktail room blended materials to create a sensorial atmosphere, inspired by old manor houses. Photo courtesy of Artemest
Artemest presented L’Appartamento at Residenza Vignale, showcasing Italian craftsmanship and design. Curated by six top interior design studios—Elicyon, GACHOT, Rottet Studio, Studio Meshary AlNassar, Tamara Feldman Design, and VSHD Design—the exhibition featured Artemest furniture, lighting, décor, and art. VSHD Design’s dining room juxtaposed baroque opulence with sleek modernist furniture, inspired by Adolf Loos’ philosophy. Elicyon’s cocktail room blended materials to create a sensorial atmosphere, inspired by old manor houses. Both spaces highlighted Italian craftsmanship and the harmonious blend of historical and contemporary design.
Rude Arts Club by cc-tapis and Tacchini
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- cc-tapis and Tacchini unveiled the Rude Arts Club in cc-tapis’ showroom. Photo courtesy of cc-tapis
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- The Cosmic collection marked Faye’s and Tacchini’s first furniture collaboration. Photo courtesy of cc-tapis
cc-tapis and Tacchini unveiled the Rude Arts Club in cc-tapis’ showroom during Milan Design Week. The show highlighted Faye Toogood’s latest work with unique rooms featuring her collections. The Cosmic collection marked Faye’s and Tacchini’s first furniture collaboration, while Rude, her third rug collection with cc-tapis, displayed sensual, sculptural designs inspired by Francis Bacon’s paintings. The show combined high craft with playful experimentation, emphasizing textures, colors, and forms that celebrate the human body and female perspective.
Unexpected Interactions by Loewe
Fashion house Loewe unveiled an exhibition featuring 24 lamps created by international artists. Photo courtesy of Loewe
Fashion house Loewe unveiled an exhibition featuring 24 lamps created by international artists, displayed at Palazzo Citterio during Milan Design Week. Each lamp was crafted from unique materials. South African ceramicist Andile Dyalvane presented a clay and glass pendant light with tentacle-like extensions inspired by acacia trees. Scottish artist Jennifer Lee used salvaged washi paper and walnut to create a geometric lamp, drawing inspiration from Japanese culture. Anthea Hamilton contributed a kimono-shaped stained-glass lamp, while Italian artist Enrico David designed a curved lamp resembling a human profile.
The next Milan Design Week will be held April 7-13,2025.
