8 Young Designers to Watch for in Milan This Week

Milan Design Week is about to debut its latest chapter, and within it, the spotlight is on the novel and the next—including the young designers currently making a mark on the industry. This year is particularly noteworthy, marking the 25th anniversary of Salone Satellite, the acclaimed fair that propels designers under 35 into the limelight. In the spirit of innovation, we’re diving into the stories of young talents who are not just attending Milan Design Week but are set to redefine it. Join us in discovering the bold ideas and pioneering designs of individuals ready to shape the future of how we live, work, and play.

Federico Fiermonte

At Salone Satellite, Federico Fiermonte, the Rome-born, Helsinki-based designer will showcase his craft. With a penchant for pushing ceramics, concrete, and metals to their boundaries, Fiermonte’s designs are an ode to his diverse international training, spanning Northern Italy to Finland, including stints at prestigious studios such as Läufer+Keichel and EOOS Next. His portfolio boasts collaborations with global giants like Hermès and Minotti and a special project for the Paimio Sanatorium at the Venice Biennale 2023. Currently, Fiermonte is not only creating but nurturing fellow designers as an assistant at Aalto University‘s 3D printing workshop.

KRJST Studio

KRJST Studio, the Belgian artistic duo of Justine de Moriamé and Erika Schillebeeckx, roots its practice in the intersection of art and design. Transitioning from the fashion world to the broader canvas of art in 2015, they now specialize in crafting hand-embroidered tapestries. Their work, rich in emotion and technical skill, caters to both architectural spaces and private collectors. Collaborating with Simon Tentoon, they extend their textile expertise into the world of collectible design. These pieces can be seen at Baranzate Ateliers, utilizing traditional techniques and new technologies to explore and expand the boundaries of tapestry.

Hyunseog Oh

Design studio niceworkshop, founded by Hyunseog Oh and based in Seoul, is set to display new work at Capsule Plaza. The studio delves into the essence of materials, crafting experimental yet coherent design narratives. Known for their “Bolt Series” and “Affordance Series,” niceworkshop’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design is evident in each piece, offering a fresh perspective on everyday objects and inviting viewers into a world of originality and ingenuity. The studio’s recent endeavors include collaborative furniture exhibitions with RIMOWA and projects with Rick Owens, further cementing its reputation as a stronghold of cutting-edge design.

Kodai Iwamoto

Kodai Iwamoto brings a unique sensibility from the vibrant streets of Tokyo to present his ingenious designs at this year’s Salone Satellite. With roots in Kagoshima, Japan, Iwamoto’s journey from Kobe Design University to the prestigious ECAL in Switzerland has imbued him with a worldly design philosophy. Founder of studio hakkotai, a co-working workshop in Tokyo, Iwamoto’s creations are a dialogue between craftsmanship and contemporary design, reflecting his global experiences and exhibitions at institutions such as Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome and Georgetown University Art Galleries in Washington D.C.

Adeline Halot

A textile and interior designer, Adeline Halot ventures beyond the confines of material use and wields her architectural insights to sculpt space, volume, and form. With an educational foundation in interior architecture and a specialized pivot towards textile design at La Cambre, Halot melds metallic wires and flax linen yarns into woven compositions. Her creations, a testament to the harmonious clash between nature and technology, boast dynamic textures and forms inspired by the organic and the mineral. Her work will be presented at Baranzate Ateliers from April 15 – 21, offering attendees a chance to experience her approach to textile and interior design firsthand.

Sára Kele

At the “Design Walk in Budapest” exhibition, curated by Rossana Orlandi at Triennale Milano, Sára Kele introduces her sustainable design ethos through the PONTUM collection. Her work, internationally recognized and Red Dot awarded, encapsulates the fusion of innovative materials with timeless design, all underpinned by a commitment to sustainability. Inspired by Budapest’s Elisabeth Bridge, the PONTUM collection features minimalist furniture that mirrors the bridge’s architectural grace and structural integrity, from the suspension of its lounge chairs to the geometric elegance of its tables, embodying a connection to the bridge’s symbolic strength.

Victoria Yakusha

“SKARB,” an upcoming exhibition set to grace Alcova Milan, is a profound narrative of cultural reclamation and resilience curated by Victoria Yakusha. In a world where Ukrainian heritage is under siege, “SKARB” asks us to confront the question: Can a treasure truly be stolen? Through the Tiara Collection Vases and the Korotun Table, Yakusha pays homage to the enduring spirit of Ukrainian culture, reminding us that true treasure lies in our identity and history, forever invincible and eternally inspiring.

Pieter Van Bruyssel

Pieter Van Bruyssel is the creative force behind Grond Studio, a venture that champions the resurgence of raw earth—a blend of clay, sand, and gravel—into contemporary memory and application. With a background in photography, Van Bruyssel marries his artistic sensibility with technical skill, advocating for the material’s ecological benefits, circular potential, and healthful attributes. Showing at Baranzate Ateliers during Design Week, Grond Studio rekindles interest in ancient material, presenting it as a viable, aesthetic, and sustainable alternative in a highly industrialized era.