Milan Design Week is underway in the fashionable Italian city, making headlines for various design debuts at the main Salone del Mobile furniture fair and elsewhere. Here, Whitewall takes you behind the scenes of a few bombastic presentations from design, fashion, and tech companies releasing new expertly designed items, including Google, LOEWE, Nike, Poliform, and more.
“Making the Invisible Visible” with Artist Lachlan Turczan
Courtesy of Google.
At Garage 21, an immersive multispace installation exploring the alchemy of art and design, Google premiered “Making the Invisible Visible.” Co-created by Google’s Chief Design Officer Ivy Ross and her team, in collaboration with the American light and water artist Lachlan Turczan, the exhibition showcased how abstract ideas materialize into tangible experiences. First, visitors stepped into Lucida (I–IV)—Turczan’s mesmerizing artwork where light gained physicality, reacting dynamically to movement. As guests moved through the show, they explored the design process behind Google’s latest hardware, showing the transformation of concepts into beautifully crafted—and technically advanced—new products.
LOEWE
“LOEWE TEAPOTS” and Exclusive Spring Items
Courtesy of LOEWE.
Now on view through April 13 at Palazzo Citterio is a presentation by LOEWE named “LOEWE TEAPOTS”—an extraordinary collection of teapots designed by 25 artists, designers, and architects. For the ninth installment of LOEWE’s ongoing exploration of craft and design during Milan Design Week, the show reimagines the teapot as a functional object and a sculptural form, drawing inspiration from global tea traditions. Artists experimented with materials like porcelain, ceramic, and woven leather, pushing the boundaries of texture, proportion, and structure. From Rose Wylie’s playful interpretation of classic British china to David Chipperfield’s cobalt blue creation with a copper handle, each piece embodies a unique artistic vision. Alongside the teapots, LOEWE also reveals a collection of tea-inspired homeware items, including woven leather coasters, handcrafted Galician clay teapots, and a limited-edition Earl Grey candle in a gold-infused terracotta vessel. Also available is a special collaboration with Kaikado, debuting tin-plated tea caddies adorned with brass and leather details, and LOEWE’s signature Fiori e Sapori tea blend—a true celebration of spring.
Nike
Nike and PAN Present Air Max 180 “NIX”
Courtesy of Nike.
Nike, in collaboration with the record label and multidisciplinary platform PAN, unveiled the PAN x Nike Air Max 180 “NIX” through “The Suspended Hour”—an immersive installation at Capsule Plaza. This experiential showcase blended sound, space, and movement to explore the conceptual and aesthetic dimensions of the limited-edition sneaker. Guests were guided through the installation by PAN founder Bill Kouligas, whose curation emphasized the juxtaposition of suspension and design innovation. The space hosted a mix of light, sound, and architectural elements that interacted to create a sense of weightlessness, mirroring the fluid energy of the Air Max 180 “NIX.”
ETRO Home
ETRO Home Reveals “5 THREADS, 40 YEARS”
Courtesy of ETRO.
ETRO Home celebrated the 40th anniversary of its iconic Arnica fabric with “5 THREADS, 40 YEARS.” The tribute exhibition explored the textile’s rich legacy and enduring influence, showcased in an immersive installation that traced the evolution of the fabric through five thematic threads. Each represented a different facet of ETRO’s craftsmanship, innovation, and design philosophy—from its origins in intricate jacquard weaving to contemporary reinterpretations in furniture and décor, such as those seen today. Over the years, Arnica has become a symbol of timeless elegance and artistic expression. Through archival pieces, newly commissioned works, and tactile displays, the exhibition highlighted the dance of texture, color, and pattern that has defined ETRO Home for four decades.
Poliform
New Collections That Expand Interior and Outdoor Design
Owen sofa, courtesy of Poliform.
Poliform unveiled a meticulously curated exhibition that redefined contemporary living through a seamless fusion of timeless elegance and innovative design. Set within a large-scale booth, the showcase presented a sophisticated interplay between interior and exterior spaces, emphasizing the brand’s total-look approach through architectural system solutions and finely crafted furnishings. The exhibition featured new collections by Jean-Marie Massaud, Emmanuel Gallina, Soo Chan, and studioutte—marking the first collaboration with Milan-based designers Guglielmo Giagnotti and Patrizio Gola. Highlights included Jean-Marie Massaud’s Joan sofa and Adrien home desk, as well as Emmanuel Gallina’s Lagoon sofa, Henry coffee table, and Marina chair.
Ginori 1735
Revisiting Gio Ponti’s Legacy
Courtesy of Ginori 1735.
Ginori 1735 paid tribute to the legendary designer Gio Ponti with a presentation that celebrated his enduring influence on design and architecture. The event marked the launch of two new colors—Ebano and Cachemire—within the brand’s iconic “Catene” and “Labirinto” collections, reflecting the refined elegance of Milanese interiors. Immersing guests in Ponti’s visionary world, Ginori 1735 reintroduced a numbered edition of the “Arte” collection, featuring the Catena di Chiavi cup and the Esorcismo and Amore degli Angeli hollowed discs , adorned with gold figures and dreamlike motifs. Honoring Ponti’s artistic direction at the brand from 1923 to 1933, the showcase captured the essence of his meticulous, modernist aesthetic—where past and future merge in a timeless dance of form and function.
Orior
Debuting the Beatha Drinks Cabinet
Photo by Simon Watson Pitzhanger, courtesy of Orior.
Photo by Simon Watson Pitzhanger, courtesy of Orior.
Orior unveils the Beatha Drinks Cabinet—a fusion of heritage and contemporary craftsmanship, inspired by the warmth of a traditional cottage. Crafted from solid walnut, the cabinet’s sculptural timber exterior rests on rounded legs and features a gracefully curved silhouette. Named after the Gaelic phrase “uisge beatha”—meaning “water of life”—the Beatha exudes refined luxury, with Italian hair-on-hide doors, hand-formed bronze handles, and hinges that echo the detailed work of its makers. Inside, bespoke Caffe Amaro stone shelving, blackened steel trays, and customizable elements create a space both functional and exquisite. Taking over five months to craft, the cabinet is a testament to Orior’s commitment to meticulous artistry, requiring the skill of three master artisans in timber, leather, and bronze. Presented alongside partners Bocci and David Alhadeff, this striking debut reaffirms Orior’s dedication to timeless, material-driven design. “The Beatha is an exciting expansion of our collection, building on the foundation of craftsmanship that defines Orior,” said Creative Director Ciarán McGuigan.
