Design fashion week

The synergy between design and fashion grows stronger during the Salone del mobile trade fair. Saint Laurent, Loro Piana, Thom Browne, Gucci, and Loewe are among the names set to fill the calendar of Milan Design Week from April 16 to 21. This reflects a fusion of the two worlds that seems poised to break down any remaining barriers. It is a magnetic attraction, evidenced by the multitude of planned initiatives involving fashion brands, some of which have their own furniture lines, while others see the Milanese design event as an exceptional stage for forging new creative partnerships.

Carlo Capasa, president of the Cnmi-National Chamber for Italian Fashion, told MFF that «this collaboration between designers and furniture is a valuable asset for the Italian system». «The numerous initiatives in the coming days underscore Milan’s strength as a center of attraction». Cnmi itself will support the project titled Sailor. Anatomia del corpo attraverso la moda by the Storielibere platform, with a live event at the Teatro Filodrammatici on April 15, marking the first National Day of Made in Italy. Designers Luca Magliano and Marco Rambaldi will be among the guests. From New York comes the eagerly anticipated collaboration between Thom Browne and Frette, showcasing the American Designer’s interest in homewear. Browne will personally introduce the co-lab on April 16 at Palazzina Appiani, featuring models in bathrobes and his signature linens.

«Through the fusion of our distinct expertise, a collection has emerged that seamlessly blends fashion with design, blurring the traditional boundaries between these two worlds», Filippo Arnaboldi, ceo of Frette, tells MFF. This convergence is further underscored by the Saint Laurent Rive Droite exhibition curated by designer Anthony Vaccarello at the Chiostri di San Sempliciano. The exhibition will spotlight the re-edition, in collaboration with Ginori 1735, of the plates from the Villa Planchart Segnaposto collection designed by Gio Ponti in 1957. Hand-painted by Kering, this limited edition will be exclusively available on Saint Laurent’s website and at their flagship store on Via Montenapoleone. Meanwhile, Bottega Veneta will unveil the On the Rocks project at their headquarters in Piazza San Fedele from April 16 to 20, in partnership with Cassina and Fondation Le Corbusier. This project will feature the LC14 Tabouret Cabanon stool, which served as the seating for the Fall-Winter 2024/25 runway. In its third collaboration with Cassina for seating arrangements in its shows, Bottega Veneta has opted for Le Corbusier’s table-stool, originally designed for its buen retiro on the French coast. Previously favoring Design Miami, the Maison now chose Mdw to exhibit and sell its LC14 models alongside a new homage to the Swiss architect’s classic design.

At Palazzo Citterio, Loewe’s exhibition showcases the brand’s ongoing investment in artisanal craftsmanship. Led by Jonathan Anderson, the Fashion House will unveil 24 lamps crafted by different artists, experimenting with new techniques and materials such as bamboo and horsehair. Also, Loewe will introduce a new collection of household items and a re-edition of the Puzzle and Hammock bags by artist Hafu Matsumoto. Behind the art installation Days at the JW Anderson store on Via Sant’Andrea in the Quadrilatero della Moda is the English designer himself. The shopping hub of Milan and its surroundings are gearing up for a series of events. Versace Home, a part of the Luxury Living Group, will open the doors of Palazzo Versace on Via Gesù to present a collection featuring the Medusa ‘95 armchair, paying tribute to the Spring-Summer 1995 collection. The event will also allow guests to discover anecdotes through the immersive audio experience Versace Home: If These Walls Could Talk.

Additionally, Giorgio Armani will reopen the doors of its historic headquarters, renewing its dialogue with the city by inviting visitors to explore the new Armani/Casa collection inspired by the Designer’s travels at Palazzo Orsini. At the renovated boutique on Via Montenapoleone, Gucci will unveil Design Ancora, a special edition of five items created in collaboration with Acerbis, cc-tapis, Fontanarte, Tacchini, and Venini, selected for their Italian and Milanese essence by Creative Director Sabato De Sarno. Balenciaga’s Art in Stores project will stop at the Milan flagship store, featuring eight sculptures from Andrew J. Greene’s Timeless Symbols series, before traveling to other boutiques around the world. Etro Home Interiors, a part of the Oniro Group, will present clean-lined furnishings and eclectic coverings under the Quiltana, Piping, and Dice collections at the fair, as well as through dedicated setups in boutiques and home spaces on Via Pontaccio.

On Via Bagutta, Issey Miyake will unveil the Fold and Crease project in collaboration with the We Make Carpets collective, drawing inspiration from the design and craftsmanship of the Brand. Meanwhile, Valextra will present Vocabolario a multi-channel project crafted with Studio Temp, spanning from the boutique on Via Manzoni to La Rinascente’s windows in Piazza Duomo. Moving to Brera, Hermès will return to La Pelota on Via Palermo with its latest home collections, drawing from the geometric motifs of equestrian jackets to inspire leather goods and fabrics, with containers, baskets, and centerpieces crafted by saddlers. In Via Solferino, Missoni will showcase En Plein Air, a luminous installation housing element of their new outdoor project Missoni x Roda, while Alberto Caliri’s latest designs for the home line will be showcased at the Salone, the boutique on Via Verri, and the Suonarestella space, where visitors can enjoy a coffee at breakfast time starting April 16.

Also on Solferino, Xacus will exhibit We Are Future by artist Nazareno Biondo, the fourth chapter of The Art of Becoming project, blending art and fashion. On Via delle Erbe, Diesel Living will inaugurate an immersive experience celebrating its DNA, showcasing new collections developed in collaboration with Scavolini, Lodes, Moroso, Iris Ceramica, and Seletti. Under the artistic direction of Andrea Rosso, visitors will be surrounded by red and silver mirrored surfaces, reflecting the signature colors of Renzo Rosso’s Otb brand. Meanwhile, Loro Piana Interiors will present A Tribute to Cini Boeri at their headquarters on Via della Moscova in partnership with Arflex, commemorating the centenary of Milanese architect and designer Cini Boeri’s birth. This tribute coincides with the luxury brand’s 100th anniversary. Additionally, Dolce&Gabbana Casa will unveil the second chapter of Gen D at its headquarters in Via Broggi, showcasing works from 11 international designers that blend Italian tradition with the manufacturing techniques of their respective countries.

In the Solari district, between Via Savona and Cola di Rienzo, a series of events will take place, including those hosted by Zegna, Stone Island, and Antonio Marras. The Moncler’s brand will unveil its latest Prototype Research at its Via Savona location, showcasing exclusive garments crafted using fabrics or treatments derived from non-industrialized research processes. The NonostanteMarras space will feature creations envisioned by Antonio Marras in collaboration with various artists and companies, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of Sardinia and its sea, from Wall&Decò wallpapers to ceramics handcrafted by Marras himself, as well as furniture pieces such as chairs, sofas, and tables developed in partnership with the outdoor brand Nodo.

Noteworthy among the projects are those by Moncler, Prada, and Miu Miu. Remo Ruffini’s Group’s grand installation An Invitation to Dream at Milan’s Central Station from April 15 to 21 will transform the space into a public art gallery, showcasing works by artists such as Daniel Arsham, Deepak Chopra, Isamaya Ffrench, and others. From April 14 to 16, the Prada Frames symposium returns, organized at the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum by the Fashion House and curated by Formafantasma’s designers. Now in its third edition, the event will explore the role of the home in contemporary challenges, with guests including Isabella Rossellini and Paola Antonelli. Meanwhile, Miu Miu’s literary club will make its debut at the Circolo Filologico on April 17 and 18. As part of the Brand’s efforts to promote female empowerment, the event will feature contemporary authors such as Claudia Durastanti and Viola Di Grado in discussions centered around literary classics like Una Donna by Sibilla Aleramo and  Quaderno Pr oibito by Alba De Céspedes. This project underscores the increasingly intertwined relationship between Milan, fashion, design, and art. (All rights reserved)