We have curated seven showstoppers from the best of Milan Design Week from brands like Balenciaga, Dolce&Gabbana, and Hermès.
Andrew J. Greene’s Timeless Symbols at Balenciaga
Courtesy of Balenciaga.
As a continuation of Balenciaga’s Art in Stores project, eight original artworks from American conceptual artist Andrew J. Greene’s Timeless Symbols series debuted at Balenciaga’s Montenapoleone store in Milan. Following Salone del Mobile, the sculptures will travel to Balenciaga stores around the globe. Greene’s works examine commodity culture; his sculptures for Balenciaga feature manufactured objects slowly rotating on individual stainless-steel stanchions. These objects include a handheld mirror, a shrimp cocktail, a red rose, a mapped globe, and some of Balenciaga’s signature trompe-l’oeil products: the reusable Coffee Cup, the Knife Clutch, and two styles of the glossed leather Chips Bag.
Thom Browne’s Heritage Textiles at Palazzina Appiana
Courtesy of Thom Browne.
Thom Browne debuted its newest collection, developed in partnership with Frette, in a performance at Salone del Mobile at Palazzina Appiana. The collection utilized heritage textiles and artisanal techniques to introduce bedding, bath linens, robes, and more to the brand’s home furnishings offerings. Thom Browne’s emblematic embroidered 4-bar border traverses through the bedroom, living room, bathroom, and even beyond the home. For the bedroom, the brand developed a white cotton sateen duvet and sheet set and a cashmere dressing gown trimmed with the inwoven 4-bar pattern. For the bathroom, plush guest, face, and bath towels, quilted bath mat, and a light gray yarn-dyed cotton velour bathrobe join the ranks. Thoughtfully designed gray wool-cashmere decorative blankets, throws, and cushions add luxury to the living room. For outdoor ventures, Thom Browne has added to its collection a soft terry cotton white gym towel with wRWBw grosgrain and a white beach bag.
Cassina’s On the Rocks and LANCIA YPSILON EDIZIONE LIMITATA CASSINA
Courtesy of Cassina.
For the Cassina Perspective 2024, Cassina found itself all over Milan, from Palazzo San Fedele to the Bredaquaranta showroom. For its Palazzo San Fedele exhibition, On the Rocks, Cassina collaborated with Bottega Veneta to create this tribute to the iconic LC14 Tabouret Cabanon, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin 1952 by Fondation Le Corbusier. The installation featured tabourets made by a unique wood-burning technique and a limited-edition tribute hand-crafted by Bottega Veneta artisans. For the Bredaquaranta showroom exhibition, Cassina produced a special showcase for the LANCIA YPSILON EDIZIONE LIMITATA CASSINA.
From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana
Courtesy of Dolce&Gabbana.
“From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana” expanded across ten rooms in the Palazzo Reale, dedicated to the creations of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The exhibition was curated by Florence Müller, produced by Palazzo Reale and IMG, and promoted by the Municipality of Milan. Guests were first welcomed by an opening room with commissioned digital artworks by Felice Limosani, Obvious Art, Alberto Maria Colombo, Quayola, Vittorio Bonapace and Catelloo, before entering the ten dedicated spaces. A declaration of love to Italian culture, the ten rooms were each dedicated to: the Handmade; the Art and Craft of Glassworking; The Leopard; Devotion; Ateliers, Ornaments and Volumes; the Architectural and Pictorial; Sicilian Traditions; White Baroque; Dream of Divinity; and Opera.
Hermès Collections for the Home at Milan Design Week
Courtesy of Hermès.
Hermès unveiled its collections for the home alongside timeless heritage pieces themed around the concept of the ground. This theme extends into their product range with the earthtones and colorful geometric motifs that recur throughout their leather goods and textiles. Hermès also highlights its mastery in textiles with subtly shaded blankets and large cashmere bedspreads adorned with graphic lines through weaving, dyeing, tailoring, and embroidery. New designs include the radical yet elegant Diapason d’Hermès lounge chair in leather and hammered aluminum, and ethereal lamps that draw inspiration from equestrian vaulting, complemented by leather baskets and jewelry boxes, and the refined Tressages équestres dinner service. This collection reaffirms Hermès’ commitment to marrying excellence with traditional craftsmanship.
John Armleder at MASSIMODECARLO
Courtesy of MASSIMODECARLO.
MASSIMODECARLO hosted “On ne fait pas ça,” a solo exhibition by Swiss artist John Armleder, featuring a retrospective of his work from 1994 to 2023. Armleder, known for his exploration of “high” and “low” art through furniture sculptures and pour and puddle paintings, challenges traditional art conventions, its formulation, and its presentation. The exhibition title, translating to “we do not do this,” reflects his spontaneous and chance-driven creation process. Armleder’s work includes repurposed objects like a tractor tire used as a plant holder and vibrant reinventions of his earlier pieces, showcasing his ability to blend diverse materials and textures. Through this exhibition, Armleder emphasizes the viewer’s role in creating meaning, positioning himself as a mere conduit in the artistic process.
The Z Desk and Andromeda by UniFor
Courtesy of UniFor.
UniFor unveiled the Z desk and the Andromeda furniture collection by LSM for Salone Del Mobile Milano. The Z desk completes the innovative XYZ office system designed by Foster + Partners Industrial Design. This system caters to agile and tailored working environments with a human-centered design approach. The Z desk features a unique, manually adjustable height mechanism that eliminates the need for electronic or crank actuators, offering intuitive adjustments through a custom-engineered spring and cam within an aluminum frame. The Andromeda furniture collection emphasizes contemporary design, using materials like polished aluminum, glass, travertine, and leather to blend into various professional and domestic settings. The Andromeda collection was showcased against the scenic backdrop of Teatro Andromeda in Sicily, highlighting its elegance and the seamless integration of form and function.
Diva by Ginori 1735 at Milan Design Week
Courtesy of Ginori.
Ginori 1735’s newest tableware and home decor collection reinterprets the Compasso d’Oro award-winning Colonna collection in yellow, pink, baby blue and green. Defined by a sophisticated gold border, Diva possesses the iconic stackability of the Colonna collection originally designed by Giovanni Gariboldi, but it integrates a playful and vibrant energy to the infinite possible permutations of arrangements. The collection strikes a balance between mid-century Italian design and contemporary, future-looking innovation. Diva is available in the flagship Ginori 1735 boutiques in Milan, Florence and Paris, in selected multi-brand stores, and online.
