Design Debuts from Dior, Armani Casa, and More in Milan

Google: "Shaped by Water" with Ivy Ross and Lachlan Turczan
Garage 21
For the occasion of Salone del Mobile Milano, Google is presenting the exhibition “Shaped by Water,” examining human connections to the vital resource as a source of inspiration in design. Conceived by Ivy Ross, Google’s Vice President of Hardware Design, her design team, and the water, light, and sound artist Lachlan Turczan, visitors will find the presentation flowing from an installation of bowls highlighting water’s visual and sonic qualities (both of which are affected by the movement and density of the viewers) and into a dreamlike, full-body sensory work that mimics the experience of being underwater.

casa blond: "blond artefacts"
casa blond
Inviting viewers to find joy in tangible objects over the digital world, casa blond’s “blond artefacts” sees the brand’s entire studio team taking part in a live, interactive design workshop. On view for the run of Milan Design Week (from April 17—23), the studio will be open to guests from 10AM—4PM each day, where the casa blond team will execute the process of bringing to life a design sketch from the public. At the end of every day, the newly-completed object will be put on display as part of the exhibition. Also featured, the design label will be introducing a project called the Peel Chair and collaborations with the homeware brand Tesoro and the home electrification startup Impulse. 

"Armani / Casa a Palazzo"
Salone del Mobile/Palazzo Orsini
For the first time, Giorgio Armani and Armani / Casa will open its historic headquarters at Palazzo Orsini to the public attending Salone del Mobile for the 2023 edition. In addition to exploring the palazzo’s facets and furnishings, like a mosaic courtyard and historic stone interiors, visitors who wander into its secret garden will have the opportunity to discover the newest designs from Armani/Casa in its outdoor line—which includes debuts like the Terence divan, in pale wood and printed cushions in soft mint. 

Dior by Philippe Starck
Palazzo Citterio
Following the introduction of the Miss Dior chair in 2022, maison Dior and Philippe Starck have embarked on a new collaboration of a similar nature: the Monsieur Dior armchair. The chair itself furthers the evolution from the house’s iconic Medallion design from which the Miss Dior was fashioned, imagining the stately perch in a number of materials and colorways like pink, black, aluminum, and orange toile de Jouy. Introducing the collaboration is an immersive exhibition at the Palazzo Citterio, where the armchairs are the center of the experience, accompanied by gorgeous scenography encompassing a video and music installation by Soundwalk Collective.

Carl Hansen & Søn
Salone del Mobile
Carl Hansen & Søn is introducing several new designs for the occasion of Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week. In collaboration with the Danish design house Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, we’ll see the re-introduction of its Monarch Chair, which was first created in 1944 and imagined in just 10 editions. Today, the design returns as the VLA61 Monarch chair—its soft, light, and comfortable armchair with upholstered cushions, warm and organic wooden armrests and legs, and thoughtful details like polished brass feet. 

The Brand is also introducing designs to the AH Outdoor Series by Alfred Homann and, from Rikke Frost, a set of nesting tables and the RF1903F Sideway footstool‚ which features a low profile with a rounded cushion and smooth wooden legs. 

Foscarini: “(IM)POSSIBLE NATURES”
Foscarini Spazio Monforte
For “(IM)POSSIBLE NATURES,” lighting specialist Foscarini has transformed its Spazio Monforte showroom into a wild garden, where nature appears to have overcome the space inside and out. Designed by Ferruccio Laviani, the flora-filled venue beautifully highlights the design brand’s latest debut by Andrea Anastasio, the Fregio suspension lamp. Presenting as a small sculptural piece or an art object, the horizontal, rectangular lighting piece is made of a floral bas-relief in ceramic. Surrounded by lush green of the herbs, grass, and uncultivated plants inhabiting the showroom, visitors will be drawn to the soft light and delicate petals of the Fregio, which brings pictures of dreamy open fields filled with flowery blooms.Also on view, “(IM)POSSIBLE NATURES” will feature debuts like new table lamps by Rodolfo Dordoni, the blown glass Hoba suspension lamp by Ludovica+Roberto Palombo, Felica Arvid’s debut lighting design, and a design that is both technical and decorative, imagined by Oscar and Gabriele Buratti.