This week, Whitewall has explored several presentations scattered around Milan in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Salone del Mobile (June 7–12) and Milan Design Week at large. Shown in palazzos, courtyards, boutiques, and more, brands revealed new designs worth coveting and collecting—from furniture objects to fashion pieces. Below, we’re highlighting a few of our favorites.
Photo by Adrien Dirand, courtesy of Dior.
Timed to the return of Salone del Mobile 2022, after two years of halted presentations, Dior returned to show a presentation with Philippe Starck. Reinterpret the maison’s iconic Medallion chair, the designer imagined a version named Miss Dior—an unmissable tribute to the bold elegance and femininity found within its storied past. Fueled by a passion for minimalism, the structure was refined in aluminum for an ultra-sleek and lightweight product. Simple yet luxurious, the piece was seen duplicated in an array of finishes and colors, such as black chromium and pink copper, and taking center stage in a performance. At the Palazzo Citterio, an underground presentation featured the chairs on platforms lit from above, timed to a theatrical soundtrack.
Courtesy of Baccarat.
Another not-miss collaborative presentation with Starck was with Baccarat—also shown in a stunning palazzo, at Mediateca Santa Teresa Via della Moscova, 28. Inside, the new “Talleyrand by Starck” collection was presented in a surrealist installation, lit by hanging chandeliers, tables of stacked rings, and some seen on figurine hands with gloves that appeared from crate boxes. From the outside, a red Baccarat wrap at the building’s exterior greeted us with wonder and excellence. And once inside, a dark atmosphere fit for exploration awaited, guiding us through the wonder with imaginative music and buzzy energy.
Installation of “A Portrait of Comfort” with furniture by Raphael Navot for Loro Piana Interiors, courtesy of Loro Piana.
At Loro Piana’s Milan headquarters, just one storefront down from its brand new Loro Piana Interiors boutique, an installation of Raphael Navot-designed furniture was presented. The show, entitled “A Portrait of Comfort,” featured a collection of new pieces by the French designer that elaborated on his presentation with the brand last year. With The Palm Duet chair as its starting point, new pieces in Loro Piana fabrics were seen, including chaise longue chairs, sofas, stools, and more. Walking in the enormous courtyard, images of dunes at the far end took over our sightline, while physical slopes of plush fabric held objects below and underneath. As people explored the installation with their eyes, their hands followed.
Photo by Maxime – Verett, courtesy of Hermés.
On a quest for lightness, Hermés honored craft through an installation at La Pelota by its long-term collaborator Charlotte Macaux Perelman. Inside, illuminating paper water towers—made from wood and covered in translucent color paper—played host to new products, including porcelain objects, geometric textiles, and furniture. Poetic in perception, the exhibition was backlit for unusual exploration of cashmere blankets and bed covers, leather centerpieces, wall-mounted organizers, woven baskets, table lamps, chairs, stools, dishes, and more.
Courtesy of Flexform.
Aside from presenting new objects and collections, Design Week also proved to be the perfect time to open a new store. Flexform took charge of this idea by opening its first Milan-based boutique at Via della Moscova 33, designed by the renowned architectural firm ACPV ARCHITECTS. Guided by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, the showroom’s design was created to be flexible, featuring reconfigurable display space for an explorative experience. Over 800 square meters of room is spread over two floors, blending timeless materials—like large slabs of stone from Vicenza’s Laboratorio Morseletto and wall finishes by artisan Matteo Brioni—with contemporary design elements, including LED lights and painted stretched steel. Inside, we took in moments of calmness amid locally sourced plants on an array of comfortable couches, chairs, and leather woven ottomans.
Photo of Marni’s new Milan store by Eliza Jordan.
Marni had a similar approach, re-opening its boutique in the heart of the design neighborhood of Brera with a knockout party last night for friends of the brand. At Via Montenapoleone 26, a cocktail party featuring a site-specific furry installation by Shoplifter welcomed guests to bright cocktails and funky bites, a live performance by The Aluminum Group, and new styles of garments and accessories. From the outside, a crowd piled into the streets, and inside, guests navigated the two-story space with ease and style, dressed to the maximum nines in floral prints, oversized shades, fuzzy shoes, and, of course, so much Marni.
