Milan Design Week is in full bloom, and Whitewall is bringing you inside experiential installations and celebratory presentations by the protagonists of the design industry including Armani Casa, Lasvit, Foscarini, Cassina, Studio Job, Versace Home, Moncler, and Molteni&C.
Armani Casa Unveils its Latest Collection Within the Historic Palazzo Orsini
Courtesy of Armani Casa.
Giorgio Armani beckons international visitors within the brand’s legendary headquarters of Palazzo Orsini, where the latest Armani/Casa collection “Echi dal Mondo (Echoes from the World)” unfolds. In a compelling conversation with the exuberant city, the exhibition unveils a lush intermingling of tones, textures, and forms energized by the revered designer’s world travels and transcendent research.
A shimmering console aptly titled “Venus” debuts within the new collection. Reminiscent of singular high jewelry creations, a sculptural top of lacquer and gold leaf beneath glass makes way for a sleek base of pale satin gold.
Lasvit Presents a Sweeping Glass Installation Beneath Open Sky
Courtesy of Lasvit.
Within the tranquility of Palazzo Isimbardi, Lasvit raises the curtain on a sweeping fused glass installation beneath the sky: “Re/Creation.” The renowned leader of hand-made glassmaking shines light on its unparalleled craftsmanship and creative prowess, while generously giving space for relaxation, contemplation, and connection. Surrounded by a lyrical dance of molten glass, visitors will behold the effect of a rapturous new technique—echoed in the presentation’s title—where hot melted glass is laid down, ebbing and flowing on its own accord for maximum expression.
At the heart of the show is Porta, a mesmeric installation by Lasvit’s Art Director Maxim Velcovsky. Tremendous in all regards, the piece highlights the brand’s mastery of artisanal glass facades, and was ceremoniously developed in Europe’s grandest glass kiln. An innovative collection by distinguished Swedish architectural studio Claesson Koivisto Rune is unveiled in the courtyard, offering beguiling Scandinavian design.
Foscarini Introduces an Endeavor Beside Artist and Designer Andrea Anastasio
Courtesy of Foscarini.
Lighting design company Foscarini introduces “HABITUS” at Foscarini Spazio Monforte, a riveting and explorative endeavor beside artist and designer Andrea Anastasio. In collective collaboration, visionaries Arun Jothi and Natalie Frost representing textile brand Studio A / Amal join the jubilant research project of boundless imagination. An intermeshing of diverse materials, including beads, sequins, and strips of laser-cut PET, are crafted in the spirit of the atelier, culminating in a luminous study of the ways in which light creates poetry on the most whimsical textures.
“For a company, it is a true privilege to be able to take the time to reflect, to weave connections and attempt creative incursions into other worlds,” said Carlo Urbinati, President of Foscarini.
“It is also a natural choice, for us: getting out of our comfort zone is a part of who we are. Habitus, the research project we are presenting for Fuorisalone 2024, is therefore a gift we make to ourselves, but also a necessity, the outcome of our need to listen and to share visions with people who belong to other worlds, to create new imaginaries of light and to explore different meanings to assign to what we do.”
Cassina Celebrates Venetian Architect Carlo Scarpa
Photo by Luca Merli, courtesy of Cassina.
Cassina continues its celebration of late Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, inducted into the iMaestri universe in 2023, with a revitalized take on the beloved Cornaro chair design. First introduced in 1973, a soft-edged wood frame envelops plush, upholstered cushions, and the eye-catching chair is offered in beech featuring a gleaming lacquer finish, or in ash enhanced by an open-pore matte lacquer finish. Created alongside Tobia Scarpa, renewed proportions produce a modern and voluminous echoing of the original design.
In addition, a symphonic presentation of outdoor wonders, including the Le Corbusier®, Pierre Jeanneret®, and Charlotte Perriand® Collection are unveiled—and the 3 Fauteuil Grand Confort, méridienne, Outdoor makes its debut. Sophisticated and innovative, the méridienne armchair is enhanced by only one armrest, evoking high art, design, and functionality. A tubular metal structure wraps around the collection in organic shades of terracotta, taupe, ivory and green, while Mediterranean-inspired cushions conjure the buoyancy of the azure sea.
Studio Job Encompasses Themes of Longing and Questions of Human Mortality
Courtesy of Studio Job.
Dilmos brings a provocative solo presentation by Studio Job: “Golden Years / Acta Est Fabula,” examining the meditative works and sculptures of artist Job Smeets. Within the two act show encompassing themes of longing and questions of human mortality, “Golden Years” invites visitors into a heavenly space embellished by surreal and contemporary hand-crafted objects of polished bronze. Sword (2003) was inspired by antique armories, and the gift to Alessandro Mendini shines with elements of anger, power, and reconciliation. Worn (2024), a polished bronze piece echoing a tired sofa with 17th century Baroque sculptural details collages high and low cultured for supreme authenticity.
The artist’s second act, “Acta Est Fabula,” boldly centers on transience in the design industry with coffin-shaped revisionings of Smeet’s iconic creations. “Acta Est Fabula means ‘The Show is Over,’ explained the visionary. “The question that lies at the core is, is there anything left to tell?” In dialogue with the Curved Chair (1998), the coffin design is crafted from a fallen oak tree.
“Every time I create a show or a new collection, I need to go deeper and deeper to surprise myself, and it takes so much from me, this time I nearly went too far,” added Smeets.
Versace Home Offers a Sensorial Wonderland for Milan Design Week
Courtesy of Versace Home.
The historic, original design atelier of Versace is transformed into a sensorial wonderland for Milan Design Week, embracing the latest Versace Home collection with unbridled enthusiasm and vigor. Upon entering Palazzo Versace, Via Gesù 12, visitors will encounter a dazzling audio experience titled “Versace Home: If These Walls Could Talk,” where scintillating house narratives unfold around the vivacious display of new creations. The maison’s illustrious codes of the Medusa ’95, the Barocco, and the Greca are weaved into seductive and luxurious pieces of furniture.
Since 1982, the Palazzo of spellbinding neoclassical design has been at the heart of the Versace House and family. An inspirational location boasting three vast floors, an interior courtyard, and bountiful garden, the fashion district landmark has seen poignant Versace moments transpire, from photoshoots, to fashion shows, to glittering and unforgettable festivities.
Moncler Extends “An Invitation to Dream” with Jefferson Hack
Portrait of Julianknxx, courtesy of Moncler.
Moncler extends “An Invitation to Dream” at Milan Central Station, where a cinematic public gallery presentation unfolds. Curated by Jefferson Hack, as well as filmed and photographed by Jack Davison, hand printed black and white lithographic prints illuminate the inner life of cultural luminaries including Daniel Arsham, Deepak Chopra, Isamaya Ffrench, Laila Gohar, Jeremy O. Harris, Francesca Hayward, Julianknxx, Zaya Ribeiro, Ruth Rogers, Rina Sawayama, Sumayya Vally—in addition to Chairman and CEO of Moncler Remo Ruffini. Billboards throughout the train station will spark a wonderland of visual gems and rapturous quotes.
“Dreams are what have been moving myself and Moncler forward since day one, because we never stop dreaming about what is possible, and how we can inspire and be inspired by others around the world,” explained Ruffini. “Always aiming to not only do new, but to do better.”
Molteni&C Rejoices in its 90th Anniversary with a Monograph and Evocative Collections
Courtesy of Molteni&C.
On the momentous occasion of Molteni&C’s 90th anniversary, a comprehensive book titled “Molteni Mondo. An Italian Design Story” debuts as an inaugural monograph encompassing the house’s illustrious history and ardent values in visceral and cinematic fashion.
“In 2024, our company celebrates its ninetieth year of activity,” remarked Carlo Molteni, President of the Molteni Group. “Studying its history, we realized that it coincides with the history of Italian design. It begins in 1955 in Brianza with the first Selettiva di Cantù, also promoted by my father Angelo—an exhibition that had architects of the caliber of Gio Ponti, Alvar Aalto, and Carlo De Carli on the jury, spreading knowledge of design in the area. In this important year, we want to share our goal for the future: spreading the culture of quality living throughout the world.”
In this vein, an evocative loveseat designed by Ponti in 1957 is reimagined as Due Foglie, a curvaceous, pod-like piece with sumptuous forms, which invokes that historic year’s launching of the first satellites into the depth of space. In addition, Creative Director Vincent Van Duysen’s Outdoor 2024 Collection reinstates our intimate connection with Mother Nature by way of sustainability-minded and finely crafted delights—rich materials such as solid natural teak in sensual hues of merlot red and earthy gold abound.
