Milan Design Week 2024, the world’s largest design event, recently concluded, leaving a trail of dazzling exhibitions and events, innovative concepts, and a glimpse into the future of living.

Every year, Milan transforms into a global epicenter of design innovation during Milan Design Week, also known as Fuorisalone. This sprawling event, held alongside the prestigious Salone del Mobile Furniture Fair, encompasses a constellation of exhibitions, installations, and presentations that showcase the cutting edge of design across furniture, lighting, fashion, technology, and more.

It’s a whirlwind of creativity, a glimpse into the future of how we’ll live, and a must-attend event for design enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.

Why is Milan Design Week Important?

Milan Design Week is more than just a trade show; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It sets the trends for the coming year, influencing everything from the furniture in our homes to the materials used in our gadgets. “The theme of Fuorisalone 2024 is ‘Materia Natura’ (Matter Nature), a suggestion that promotes, through an exploration of the profound connection between these two words, a conscious design culture, highlighting sustainability as a guiding principle and fundamental value in the creative and design processes,” according to Fuorisalone.

Top Exhibits of Milan Design Week 2024

Here’s a glimpse into some of our favorite exhibitions and events that captured the essence of Milan Design Week 2024:

Ludovica Mascheroni “Marco Polo”:

• Brand: Ludovica Mascheroni
• Location: Milanese boutique (Via Gesù 13), showroom (Via Cadorna 21 Meda, Monza Brianza), and Four Seasons Hotel Milano (Via Gesù 6-8)
• Concept: Showcase of the brand’s latest furniture collections, celebrating their commitment to Italian craftsmanship and high-quality materials

Ludovica Mascheroni Sets the Scene for Timeless Elegance Throughout Milan

Adding a touch of timeless elegance to Milan Design Week was Ludovica Mascheroni, the renowned Italian furniture company. This curated showcase offered visitors the opportunity to experience Ludovica Mascheroni’s latest furniture collections firsthand, each a testament to their unwavering commitment to Italian craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials. Ludovica Mascheroni’s heritage is steeped in excellence. For generations, the brand has been synonymous with luxury furniture that seamlessly blends traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities. Their meticulous attention to detail is evident in every piece, from the hand-selected precious woods and exquisite leathers to the flawless finishes and bespoke tailoring options. The Milan Design Week showcase provided a glimpse into the world of exquisite living envisioned by Ludovica Mascheroni. Each meticulously crafted piece, from the plush comfort of their bespoke sofas to the elegant functionality of their dining tables, whispered of a life imbued with comfort, sophistication, and a timeless sense of style.

“In 1324 one of the greatest and most famous Italian figures left us: Marco Polo, traveler, writer, ambassador, and merchant, symbol of the peaceful rapprochement between East and West. And, 700 years after his demise, his name still arouses fascination and wonder. A historical figure of great impact to whom Ludovica Mascheroni, a company specializing in high-end furniture, dedicates its new products as part of the Milan Design Week 2024 with the theme ‘Marco Polo: the journey into elegance,’ focusing in particular on precious fabrics, such as silk and cashmere.”

Moiré Gallery Milano “SERICO”:

• Brand: Moiré Gallery Milano
• Theme: Ode to silk
• Location: Moiré Gallery Milano
• Focus: Highlighting the history, artistry, and enduring beauty of silk
• Highlights: Unpublished silk poufs by Filippo Ghezzani, handmade silk carpets by Jaipur Rugs, upcycled chaise longue in shantung silk, artworks by various prominent names, fashion line of “size free” skirts in moiré silk, kimonos by Tearose Milano

A Celebration of Silk Takes Center Stage at SERICO by Moiré Gallery Milano

Stepping into SERICO by Moiré Gallery Milano was like entering an ode to silk. The exhibit highlighted the enduring beauty of this luxurious material, showcasing its history and artistry through a diverse collection. Unpublished silk poufs by Filippo Ghezzani and handmade silk carpets by Jaipur Rugs were true showstoppers. Upcycled furniture, like a chaise longue in shantung silk, demonstrated the material’s versatility, while artworks and a “size free” silk skirt line pushed the boundaries of fashion. Moiré Gallery Milano is truly unlike any other gallery and is a must-see destination year-round for anyone in the Italian city.

“SERICO — explains the curator and founder of Moiré Gallery Milano, Ouafa Lotfi Tahoun — is the completion of the previous path: a journey, a research, an immersion in the infinite variations of silk. A dialogue among fashion, art, and design that puts the ancient fabric and its different types at the center, in particular the moiré silk, with a wavy and furrowed effect like the veins of marble and the streaks of wood, to which the name of my gallery is dedicated to.”

Veuve Clicquot x Magnum Photos “Emotions of the Sun”:

• Brand: Veuve Clicquot x Magnum Photos
• Project: “Emotions of the Sun” — A collaborative exhibition by Veuve Clicquot and Magnum Photos
• Location: Garden Senato Milano
• Concept: Eight world-renowned Magnum photographers capture their interpretations of the sun’s influence
• Featured Photographers: Steve McCurry, Alex Webb, Olivia Arthur, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Cristina de Middel, Nanna Heitmann, Newsha Tavakolian, Trent Parke
• Exhibition Highlights:
  • 40 photographs showcasing diverse artistic styles and interpretations of sunlight
  • Exploration of the sun’s multifaceted nature — symbol of life, hope, rebirth
  • Immersive experience with a specially curated Sun in your plate tasting menu

A Toast to Creativity and Sunlight

Veuve Clicquot’s Emotions of the Sun exhibition was a captivating blend of art, photography, and design. The collaboration with Magnum Photos brought together eight distinct artistic voices, each offering a unique perspective on the sun’s influence. From the whimsical joy in Cristina de Middel’s images to the awe-inspiring landscapes captured by Steve McCurry, the exhibition offered a multifaceted exploration of sunlight’s emotional power. The immersive experience was further enriched by a specially designed space by Constance Guisset and a Sun in your plate tasting menu, creating a multi-sensory celebration of summer, creativity, and of course, the sun itself.

“Photography is a collaboration between an artist and the light – in particular the Sun, that inexhaustible source of inspiration, our chief of source of light, without which no photographer can practice their art. An ally, whose golden glow sublimates the loveliest landscape and enhances the beauty of a chosen subject. A comforting, kindly presence, a symbol of life, hope, and desire, strength and endless rebirth: the Sun offers photographers a wealth of emotions to capture and convey.”

Aquazzura Casa “Riviera” & “Alegria” Collections:

• Brand: Aquazzura Casa
• Event: Press Presentation of Fall/Winter 2024 Collection
• Location: Aquazzura Showroom
• Focus: Unveiling the new Aquazzura Casa collections: Riviera and Alegria

A Glimpse into Aquazzura Casa’s World

Aquazzura Casa made its presence felt through press presentations of their latest collections at Milan Design Week. The Fall/Winter 2024 showcase offered a glimpse into the brand’s vision for luxurious homeware. The highlight was the introduction of two captivating collections: Riviera and Alegria. Riviera offers a touch of Italian summer through tableware and Murano glasses that transcend seasons. With its woven bow detail and elegant colorways (vibrant coral and serene green and blue), this collection adds timeless sophistication to any table. For those seeking a vibrant celebration of summer, the Alegria collection boasts hand-painted designs in captivating multi-blue and coral hues. Crafted in Puglia, Italy, each Alegria piece is a unique artwork, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean. These new collections showcase Aquazzura Casa’s commitment to both timeless elegance and the vibrant spirit of summer, solidifying its position as a leading name in luxury homeware.

“Riviera is versatile transeasonal line which offers timeless elegance suitable for both summer and winter settings. Crafted in Tuscany, each piece features a woven bow design encircling the plate, with three sophisticated patterns to choose from.”

“Alegria collection captures the spirit of summer with its azure waters and vibrant southern Italian landscapes. Crafted in Puglia, each piece is exquisitely hand-painted on a lathe creating one-of-a-kind motifs unique in its own way.”

MCM “Wearable Casa” Collection:

• Brand: MCM
• Designers: Atelier Biagetti, curated by Maria Cristina Didero
• Theme: Wearable Casa (objects that blur the lines between fashion and home)
• Location: Palazzo Cusani, Milano (with a metaverse experience)
• Concept: A collection that reimagines everyday objects for a more sustainable and nomadic lifestyle
• Objects:
  • Chatty Sofa: A comfortable sofa with a “street graffiti” motif
  • Tatami: A modular seating system inspired by traditional Japanese tatami mats
  • Mind Teaser: A transformable stool/chair/coffee table inspired by the Rubik’s Cube
  • Clepsydra Lantern: A portable lantern with a removable lampshade that can be worn as a hat
  • Space Cabinet series: Multifunctional objects with a space-age aesthetic
  • Magic Gilet: A wearable storage unit inspired by the Uten.Silo organizer
  • MCM Backpack: A pet backpack designed for comfort and style
• Overall Experience: An immersive and playful exploration of the future of design and living

MCM Makes a Playful Debut with Wearable Casa

A brand new name at Salone del Mobile this year was MCM. Their debut exhibit, “Wearable Casa” by Atelier Biagetti, presented a unique concept — a collection that blurred the lines between fashion and homeware. Curated by Maria Cristina Didero, the exhibit showcased a range of everyday objects reimagined for a more sustainable and nomadic lifestyle. From the playful “Chatty Sofa” adorned with street graffiti to the transformable “Mind Teaser” stool/chair/coffee table, each piece was designed with functionality and a touch of whimsy in mind. The “Space Cabinet” series offered a glimpse into a space-age future with its multifunctional storage units, while the “Magic Gilet” wearable storage unit reimagined the classic organizer for a new generation.

“The feeling we want to recreate is something you have never seen before, a place in between past, present, and future. An experience to live and discover a new world in a subjective view like a videogame. The exhibition is conceived as a hybrid space, with two sides and ways to enter: reality and metaverse, so that you can enjoy the experience even remotely. It is an exhibition which lives out and after itself, making Palazzo Cusani’s rooms an extension to another world, where everything becomes magic and infinite, and where even avatars could wear the objects,” shares Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari of Atelier Biagetti.

LA DOUBLEJ “DANCING PLATES”:

• Brand: La DoubleJ
• Theme: Celebrating La DoubleJ’s homeware universe with a new collection, Solar, and an interactive art installation
• Location: Palazzo Belgioioso, Milano
• Artist: Max Siedentopf
• Art Installation: “Dancing Plates”: A machine with 16 spinning platforms displaying over 50 pieces from the new Solar Collection, inspired by the Eames “Solar Do Nothing” machine
• La DoubleJ Solar Collection:
  • Focus on Italian craftsmanship, entertaining, and connection
  • Warm color palette (terracotta, yellow, indigo)
  • Emphasis on serving platters for gatherings

La DoubleJ Sets the Table with “Dancing Plates”

La DoubleJ’s exuberant “Dancing Plates” exhibit was a celebration of color, craftsmanship, and connection. Held at Palazzo Belgioioso, the space showcased the brand’s new Solar homeware collection alongside a captivating interactive art installation. Artist Max Siedentopf created a whimsical machine titled “Dancing Plates,” featuring 16 spinning platforms adorned with over 50 pieces from the Solar Collection. Inspired by the Eames “Solar Do Nothing” machine, this playful display perfectly embodied the joyful spirit of La DoubleJ. The Solar Collection itself offered a vibrant array of Italian-made tableware in warm terracotta, yellow, and indigo, with a focus on serving platters to encourage gathering and connection.

“A giant solar mural in the central space houses the properties of the Divine Masculine, an energetic applicable to all genders rooted in the properties of power, visibility, confidence, boldness, forward motion, and protection. Visitors moving through the gallery are invited to contemplate how they can invite these properties inward, how they can be more bold, more brilliant, more assertive, and release that which no longer serves them. As with all of the brand’s endeavors, this experience is a manifestation of La DoubleJ’s mission to wrap the world in joy and create a space for its community to access a higher plane of consciousness, connection and creativity.”

CABANA 10th Anniversary:

Cabana Store Opening:

• Brand: Cabana Magazine
• Location: Via Borgospesso 8, Milano
• Concept: An extension of Casa Cabana, a space to discover handcrafted objects, browse vintage finds, and curated books
• Products: The brand’s own collection of tableware, linens, glassware, fashion and accessories, furniture, magazines, books, and a special home fragrance candle

Cabana in Residence at Sant Ambroeus:

• Brand: Sant Ambroeus
• Location: Sant Ambroeus, Milano
• Collaboration: Cabana and Sant Ambroeus
• Design: Cabana’s signature touch featuring limited-edition textiles designed by Cabana
• Products: Tabletop linens featuring Cabana’s “Toscana” floral print in Sant Ambroeus’ signature coral color, available for purchase at Cabana’s store and online

Cabana Celebrates a Decade with a New Store and Collaboration

Cabana, the magazine dedicated to showcasing the best in global design, marked its 10th anniversary with a series of exciting initiatives. The brand opened its first-ever retail space in Milan, an intimate space echoing the aesthetics of Casa Cabana, the childhood home of founder Martina Mondadori. Here, visitors could discover Cabana’s own homeware collections alongside vintage finds and curated books.

Coinciding with the store opening was “Cabana in Residence at Sant Ambroeus,” a collaboration with the iconic Milanese restaurant. Cabana’s signature touch was evident throughout the restaurant’s terrace and windows, featuring limited-edition textiles in Sant Ambroeus’ signature coral hue. Celebrated interior designer Ashley Hicks even transformed the private dining room, Sala Isabella, into a permanent Cabana haven. The collaboration extended to a line of tabletop linens featuring Cabana’s “Toscana” floral print, available for purchase at the Cabana store and online.

“Opening our first store represents a true milestone for Cabana — and all the more so in Milan, given that this is where it all started,” says Mondadori. “I want our first physical space to be a journey of discovery: a space in which to linger over beautifully handcrafted objects, browse our eclectic vintage finds or page through a carefully curated selection of books. I hope it will become a true destination — somewhere to be inspired, to start a personal collection or add those final touches when entertaining. I look forward to seeing everyone there!”

Beyond the Exhibits

Milan Design Week isn’t just about established brands. The city’s Milan Triennale buzzed with the energy of young designers showcasing their work at SaloneSatellite. This year, the 25th anniversary of the event, highlighted a new generation of design talent pushing boundaries and exploring sustainable materials and processes.

A Week of Inspiration and Innovation

Milan Design Week was a whirlwind of creativity, showcasing the latest trends in furniture, fashion, and homeware. From the luxurious world of silk at Moiré Gallery Milano’s “SERICO” to the playful functionality of MCM’s “Wearable Casa,” and the vibrant celebration of Italian craftsmanship by La DoubleJ, the exhibits offered a glimpse into the future of design. Cabana’s anniversary celebration further solidified its place as a tastemaker in the global design scene. This week in Milan was a testament to the enduring power of design to inspire, connect, and push boundaries.

A Lasting Impact

Milan Design Week serves as a springboard for design trends that will resonate throughout the year. From the focus on biomaterials and eco-friendly practices to the seamless integration of technology into our living spaces, the ideas explored at Milan Design Week will shape the way we live, interact, and experience the world around us.