Milan Design Week is one of the world’s most prestigious annual fairs, weaving in boutique events, immersive pop-up installations, and one sprawling and stunning exhibition known as Salone del Mobile. The citywide celebration presents carefully curated and often astonishing exhibitions dedicated to textiles, wall coverings, furniture and decor. Surprise and delight are prerequisites, and for most Italian brands and design institutions, public access is so.
The items honored during Milan Design Week 2022 spanned from reissues of legendary accessories – such as Flos’s Arco K, a gorgeous update to the limited edition 1962 Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni arched floor lamp, which now features an optical-grade crystal base – to fixtures that It represents the future of interiors, as evidenced by the Le Brum Requiem collection, handcrafted by the London-based designer. There were examples of timeless Italian design, as evidenced by Federika Longinotti Buitoni’s Collecto cutlery collection, and technological highlights, such as the Silente noise-canceling chair.
Among all this revitalization of the brand, the city’s fashion houses are debuting their own collections of amazing things for the home. “Fashion entered the world of design on purpose,” explained furniture designer Marta Sala, who uses her gorgeous chairs in Hermès and Loro Piana stores. Indeed, many of the unforgettable moments and coveted collections of this Milan Design Week have been imagined by Italian design brands with international fashion collaborators, or fashion and jewelry brands with design collections. Some highlights below.
Louie
Loewe’s Weave, Restore, Renew is presented in the inner courtyard of Palazzo Isimbardi, an 18th-century mansion, featuring three distinct projects united with the idea of bringing new life to forgotten elements. Using colored leather threads, artisans in Spain repaired 240 unique baskets sourced from around the world. These reborn objects lined the gallery walls while in the center were displayed raincoats carved with fringes – reminiscent of thatched roofs. Each was made using an ancient Galician technique known as Coroza. Additionally, Loewe made a collaboration with Young Soon Lee, composed of recycled woven newspapers. Altogether, it was transitional.
Photo: Courtesy of LOEWE
Photo: Courtesy of LOEWE
B&B Italia with Stella McCartney
Few armchairs are as recognizable as the puffy Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini, B&B Italia’s beloved Le Bambole, which celebrated its fiftieth anniversary at Milan Design Week. To honor the icon, contemporary furniture brand Stella McCartney chose a unique, funky iteration that features a hand-painted mushroom pattern, known as Fungi Forest Burgundy.
Photo: Courtesy of B&B Italia
Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades
Made up of curious and colorful creations, the Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades collection has found the historic house collaborating with many of the world’s most innovative designers. This year’s roster included Atelier Oï, Patricia Urquiola, Campana Brothers, and studio Marcel Wanders (who recently announced his departure from the design world). In Milan, a multi-level design wonderland was dedicated to the group and allowed each eccentric element to talk to those around it.
Image source: Stephane Muratet
Hermes
Four glowing geometric sculptures, each resembling the shape of a water tower, have hosted the latest collection of Hermès homes in the Brera Design District. With light and lightness as central themes, these hollow, bright structures housed porcelain pieces, furniture, design objects and – for the first time – cashmere textiles worthy of the Hermès name. The blankets and bedspreads referenced historical patterns and used patchwork and stitching techniques that emphasized interior geometry.
Image source: Maxime Verret
Brunello Cucinelli
Debuting alongside a live ceramic workshop at Brunello Cucinelli’s boutique in Milan, designer and architect Daniel Germani for the limited edition ceramic cup references the cashmere bales used by the Italian luxury knitwear brand. Its clean, elegant aesthetic reflects that of Brunello Cucinelli, who sold the ship on-site only on the day of the event. All proceeds from this item were donated to the Franceso Morelli Foundation.