For a week each year, the city of Milan transforms into the epicentre of design. An annual celebration of craftsmanship, Milan Design Week brings together established brands, illustrious names and aspiring designers alike. New and exciting projects fill the buzzing cityscape, and a host of installations push the boundaries of what design can be. Against the elegant backdrop of Milan’s ornate architecture, collections of homeware and furniture embody utmost artistry and creativity. Year after year, the city becomes a melting pot of culture and inspiration, drawing design enthusiasts from all over the world. In its 61st iteration this April, the exhibition attracted over 300,000 attendees.
Amongst the event’s most highly anticipated highlights, the biggest names in fashion continue to prove that couture is not their only area of expertise. Embracing the world of interior design, style takes on the form of homeware and furniture presented in surprising and intriguing ways. Everyday objects are shown in a new light, infused with the distinct artistry that these luxury fashion houses bring. From exclusive collaborations to immersive installations, luxury houses demonstrate how intricately woven the worlds of fashion and interior design can be. Below, we round up the biggest highlights at this year’s Milan Design Week, presented by the fashion houses that redefine the limits of style.
1 / 5
Bottega Veneta
In a display of whimsy and wonderful creativity, Bottega Veneta’s boutique in Montenapoleone was transformed into an immersive experience for Milan Design Week. Titled Vieni a Vedere, or ‘come and see’, the evocative installation continued the ongoing collaboration between the Italian fashion house and architect and designer Gaetano Pesce. A twisting, grotto-like pathway crafted from resin and fabric framed a pair of bags—created by Bottega Veneta based on Pesce’s drawings, inspired by mountainscapes and grassy prairies.
2 / 5
Hermès
Refined elegance shone in Hermes’ new homeware creations. From vibrant glass-blown lamps to hand-embroidered rugs, each piece served as a demonstration of the maison’s expert artistry. While the dramatic scaffolding it was housed in gave the showcase an added edge, what made the collection truly stand out was the joyful twist that it embraced—giving rise to fresh pops of colour and fun patterns that serve as a nod to the house’s equestrian heritage.
3 / 5
Loro Piana
Apachetas—sacred piles of stone that mark passage in the Andes, built through centuries by travellers as tribute to the spirit of Pachamama (Mother Earth)—formed the starting point for Loro Piana’s offerings at Milan Design Week this year. Honouring the Andean tradition, Argentinian artist and designer Cristián Mohaded crafted hand-carved furniture that drew inspiration from the totemic structures. A great regard for nature and its gifts tied the collection together. Each piece was finished with Loro Piana Interiors fabrics made from old collections—giving discarded materials a beautiful second lease of life.
4 / 5
Loewe
Reimagining one of the most basic home objects in playful and surprising ways, creative director Jonathan Anderson’s ‘Loewe Chairs’ came wrapped in strands of thin leather ribbon, swathed in vibrant fuzz or encased in glistening foil. As a nod to the brand’s rich history with basketry, a final series of chairs showcased intricate paper loom embellishments made from natural fibres and leather, created by Belgian company Vincent Sheppard.
5 / 5
Louis Vuitton
Across the sprawling courtyards and ornate halls of the Palazzo Serbelloni, Louis Vuitton presented three distinct projects connected by exquisite design and refined creativity. First, a showcase for its ongoing Objets Nomades project featured 11 new pieces of furniture and homeware created in collaboration with renowned designers from around the world. In the grand courtyard, a shining aluminium pavilion by Marc Fornes demonstrated the maison’s custom of ‘nomadic architecture’. Reminiscent of the organic forms of a coral, the curious structure invited visitors to step in and explore. Finally, the third display came in the form of a customisable chest of wonders aptly named the ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’—situated in the lush gardens of the property amidst a fascinating spaceship-like structure.
