Milan Design Week 2024
Wow, well this was a very crowded Milan Design Week. I was only there from Thursday through Sunday, but I would imagine even if you were there for the entire week, you would have spent at least 50% of your time standing in line, rather than experiencing design (unless you count people watching while in line.)
For example, Alcova, which was a bit outside the city property in two palazzos this year, I waited in line for almost 3 hours, all to spend less than 30 minutes inside the building. Many venues were like this this year. In past years there were a few venues that had excessive lines, but this year every place you went had a line, which really minimized the amount of time to be inspired by design.
The highlight for me at Milan Design Week 2024, besides the insane eggplant and tomato dish I keep daydreaming about, was Appartamento by Artemest. Again, long lines but definitely worth it in this case. This is the second year they have exhibited in an apartment and my favorite way to experience design. They collaborated with six worldwide based design firms to each decorate a room in the Palazzo. Think Kips Bay show house, but with some differences, like being limited to using product lines that Artemest offers on their website, featuring Italian craftsmanship and design at it’s greatest. Artemest is a treasure trove of classic and modern Italian designs and a great place to be inspired.
I really like their brand format because everything you find in the apartment is linked and shoppable on their website. The pricing is transparent and seeing how items are used in a living space makes it less like a store showroom and more like you are having a sneak peak at someone’s exquisitely designed apartment. I only wish more exhibitions were like this as I’ve come to love getting sneak peaks into private palazzos decked out in the best the design world has to offer. It’s pretty epic: first class architecture, first class design.
What struck me this year at Appartamento was the incredible color combinations and furniture placement/ arrangement in each room. Each studio were experts in taking the lead from the colors already in the room, but using them in really unique and fresh ways. They also weren’t afraid to move the furniture away from the walls. In the bedroom, there were four Murano chandeliers placed in the four corners of the room, with the bed floating in the middle.
By contrast, Dimore Studio, is becoming less about the design collaborations and more like an artist exhibition. Another long line to wait in, Dimore was formerly a draw for me but most recently has been a bore, in my opinion. Maybe I’m missing something? Their design work for both residential and commercial work is really authentic and interesting. Perhaps they don’t have time to focus on an exhibition space specifically for Milan Design Week.
A rising star with multiple Italian brand collaborations and several hotel interiors under his name is Luke Edward Hall. He’s designed and collaborated with Ginori and most recently with Rubelli; last year in fabrics and this year in wallcoverings. Speaking of compelling color combinations, Luke brings a fresh eye to everything he touches, but what I love about his designs is his grounding in the classics.
Another really interesting offering at Milan Design Week 2024 was by German company, Poggenpohl. They presented a kitchen like no other, with illuminated stone and open shelves that increasingly glowed when you pulled them out. The setting in the Biblioteca Lombardo was compelling, with an antiquated background to showcase a new age kitchen. I love that kind of contrast. I’ll let the photos do the talking.
A new to me brand is Emirati based Alghadeer. They featured seating made of wool in various shapes and sizes. It almost looks like a carpet with its curves, patterns and textures, but the support is very firm. They had a selection of different lengths and heights, making for versatile seating in various types of settings. I absolutely love the design. It’s clever, attractive and functional.
Another trend in interior design, not just at this Milan Design Week, are all of the clothing brands migrating towards lifestyle with their homeware collections. Many brands have joined the likes of Ralph Lauren and Armani Casa to launch furniture and homeware lines: Fendi Casa, Hermes, Versace Home, Christian Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, among many others. It remains to be seen whether the luxury clothing consumer wants their homewares designed by the same brand as their clothes, but the concept, at least, seems to be contagious.
Prada launched homewares in collaboration with Harrods in 2021, and their dishes were proudly on display in their Milan showrooms.
After my hours long wait for the Alcova exhibition, we headed to Rho Fiera, the Milan convention center which houses all the brands together under one roof. Again, lots of long lines to get into the famed displays at certain brands (Poliform, Flos, Minotti), but others were relatively empty. There is still so much to see that between the crowds and the 5 different buildings, you have to be selective.
Two brands I chose to focus on were LaPalma Plus Outdoor, and Devon&Devon. When products are hard to find in showrooms, being able to see them in person at the exhibition center, to sit on them, touch them and feel them is incredibly valuable. If you are in the market for new furnishings, I would highly encourage you to visit during Milan Design Week; Saturdays and Sundays are always open to the general public and your mind will be blown.
Honestly, Salone is so big you could have had a completely different experience than mine based on what you saw. But the point is there is no shortage of things to see or places and designs to be inspired by. Regardless of your takeaways, you are sure to have learned something for coming to Milan Design Week. So start booking your hotel and get your comfortable walking shoes ready, it’s time to start planning for Milan Design Week 2025!
