In honor of Milan Design Week’s eminent commencement, we’ve curated an array of the best shops, showrooms, and luxury ateliers across the city—from classic mainstays like Ferragamo to new-guard establishments like Casa Amar.
Laboratorio Paravicini
Laboratorio Paravicini
Located in a hidden courtyard in the historical center of Milan, Laboratorio Paravicini has been churning out hand-painted tableware for over thirty years. Plates and tea cups are emblazoned with dreamlike characters, from snakes to jugglers to hot air balloons; contemporary drawings coexist with classical inspirations. The shop’s production is highly artisanal, hand-decorating each piece of fine white earthenware by brush, mixed technique, or print. The Laboratorio also creates bespoke ceramics for patrons, hand-painting exclusive artworks on commission.
Whitewaller recommends: Bringing a ceramic piece home as a souvenir.
Casa Amar
Casa Amar. Photo by Simone Furiosi.
Husband-and-wife duo Matteo and Jihane are the owners of Casa Amar, a tastefully curated Milanese showroom of Moroccan rugs. The shop is a true Italian-Moroccan love story: after Italian Matteo and Moroccan Jihane met in Paris, they began taking trips to Morocco and realized the country’s stunning textiles were missing from Milan. Casa Amar now offers a diverse selection of rare textiles, from vibrantly patchworked Boucherouite rugs (coming from the Arabic term bu sherwit, meaning “a scrap from used clothing”) to soft mats entirely composed of palm straw. Patrons are invited to sip tea and eat Moroccan sweets while learning about the rich history of these textiles. Casa Amar was highlighted by CN Traveller last year, and the shop will have a showcase of pillows made from vintage handwoven Moroccan blankets at this year’s edition of Salone del Mobile.
Whitewaller recommends: Drinking Moroccan tea and browsing the showroom’s textiles offerings.
Ferragamo
Ferragamo
When architect Vincent Van Duysen was tasked with renovating Ferragamo’s Milan boutique, he had his work cut out for him. The shop is located in the Palazzo Carcassola Grandi, a relic of the 15th century whose Venetian stucco walls and stone floors demanded delicate, thoughtful restoration efforts. It is a testament to Van Duysen’s respect for the space how beautifully it retains its original glamor. Ferragamo’s women’s collections are to be found amidst mottled marble slabs in a deep shade of red, the label’s signature color; grand mirrors in clean-lined bronze frames multiply the space; plush ottomans and armchairs feature soft, rounded edges, offering an infusion of contemporary flair. Shoppers are invited to browse luxe footwear, bags, accessories, and footwear from room to room, culminating in a room entirely dedicated to the label’s silk offerings.
Whitewaller recommends: Indulging in a pair of the label’s signature shoes.
10 Corso Como
10 Corso Como
Set in the inner courtyard of a traditional Milanese palazzo, 10 Corso Como, designed by Kris Ruhs, is as much a cultural exploration as it is a shopping destination. The multifunctional space for meeting and mingling features a gallery, a bookshop, a fashion-focused store, a restaurant and café, a rooftop garden, and a three-room hotel.
Whitewaller recommends: Checking out the Umberto Riva exhibition on view.
Flexform Milano
Flexform
Flexform’s first Milan-based boutique is located 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, shoppers may take in moments of calmness amid locally sourced plants on an array of comfortable couches, chairs, and leather woven ottomans.
Whitewaller recommends: Dedicating some time to a quiet stroll around the flagship.
Poliform Milano
Poliform
Located in a palazzo dating back to the 1930s, the Poliform Milano showroom comprises two spaces: one dedicated to kitchens, and one dedicated to living areas and bedrooms. Highly stylized, profoundly modern home environments are proposed in each room, with luxe amenities at every turn.
Whitewaller recommends: Walking around the showroom and taking everything in.
Rossana Orlandi
Rossana Orlandi
In 2002 Rossana Orlandi opened her first shop, transforming her passion into a discovery zone for others. Forecasting upcoming designers, the three-floor space has become known as an important hub for contemporary design, along with The Gallery across the courtyard, which hosts exhibitions.
Whitewaller recommends: Checking out The Gallery’s newest show.
