Milan Design Week has officially come to a conclusion and there is a lot to unpack. The six-day furniture fest saw a laundry list of renowned and rising artists from far-flung corners of the world as well as design enthusiasts alike roaming the city for a dose of interior inspiration. Your favourite fashion designers were no exception. From Sabato De Sarno’s fabulous furniture debut for Gucci to Ralph Lauren’s need-for-speed collection, fashion houses once again built up a strong presence at the annual event.
Here are all the best furniture presentations from fashion brands that came out of Milan Design Week 2024.
Armani/Casa
Armani/Casa’s Echoes from the World, presented at Giorgio Armani’s storied headquarters Palazzo Orsini encapsulates the symbiotic relationship between fashion and furniture that is oh-so-familiar to the brand. Modern yet imbued with traditional motifs, the collection references the regions the designer frequently calls on for inspiration. The Virtù cabinet, for instance, recalls Armani’s Kagemusha-inspired collection with its katana-esque handle and tatami-effect interiors with customised graphics.
Balenciaga
The latest chapter in Balenciaga’s Art in Stores project saw the brand collaborating with American conceptual artist Andrew J. Greene. Hosted at Balenciaga’s Montenapoleone store, the exhibition displayed Greene’s Timeless Symbols series in which he places commodity culture under the microscope. The eight original artworks included a handheld mirror, a shrimp cocktail, and a mapped globe. But if you missed the showcase, fret not—it will travel to other stores worldwide.
Bottega Veneta
Another noteworthy collaboration that came out of Milan Design Week 2024 was On the Rocks. Joining hands with Cassina and Fondation Le Corbusier, Bottega Veneta put together the massive installation at Palazzo San Fedele—soon to be its headquarters—in tribute to iconic LC14 Tabouret Cabanon. There, custom editions of the seat boxes, which were part of the house’s Fall/Winter 2024 show set, were stacked in contrasting harmony as the wood and leather materials clashed in colours and textures.
Fendi Casa
Familiar yet still exuding a sense of novelty, the latest slate at Fendi Casa repurposes icons held dear by the house such as the FF logo and the Pequin pattern. A touch of modern eccentricity elevates a number of creations, notably the Fendi F-Affair modular settee. Designed by Controvento, the sofa owes its versatility to the three-dimensional FF logos. Fendi Casa also launched its new Home Accessories collection, which is deeply inspired by the Fendi ready-to-wear and accessories offerings.
Gucci
Italian craftsmanship continues to be celebrated at Gucci. A brainchild of creative director Sabato De Sarno, Gucci Design Ancora highlighted five hallmarks of Italian designs including the 1960 Opachi by Tobia Scarpa for Venini and the 1972 Le Mura by Mario Bellini for Tacchini. The objects, re-edited in the Rosso Ancora red shade, were presented as ideas as opposed to mere products as they were set in individual rooms, juxtaposed against green curved walls within Gucci’s flagship store on via Monte Napoleone, 7.
Loewe
Innovative floor, table, and suspended lamps lit up the historic Palazzo Citterio for Loewe Lamps presentation. A known champion of crafts and independent artists, Loewe’s eighth showing at Salone del Mobile brought 24 artists from all over the world to the 18th-century residence including the winner of the 2019 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, Japanese urushi lacquer artist Genta Ishizuka. The brand also presented its latest collection of homewares such as ikebana vases, leather doorstops, and paperweights.
Louis Vuitton
Did you know that Louis Vuitton used to make folding beds? Well, now you do. In conjunction with Milan Design Week 2024, the fashion house presented a reinterpretation of its Bed-Trunk from 1865 at its Garage Traversi store. The mechanics behind the creation are simple yet sophisticated: an innovative interplay of aluminium and beechwood is the secret behind the Bed-Trunk’s transformability. Retaining the house’s signature, the classic Monogram Canvas is brought into play to embellish the exterior.
Ralph Lauren
It is no secret that Ralph Lauren, the designer, is an avid lover of the automotive world. His passion has translated in many of his designs and his latest home line for Fall 2024 is no different. Aptly named Modern Driver, the collection that was recently shown on the first floor of Palazzo Ralph Lauren brings forth a slew of sleek and sculptural furniture pieces, lighting fixtures, and more. The refreshed RL-CF1 chair, which was introduced in 2003, is among the standout as it pays homage to Lauren’s own McLaren F1 Race Car.
Saint Laurent
Working in tandem with the Gio Ponti Archives and the Fundación Anala y Armando Planchart, Saint Laurent Rive Droite hosted the Gio Ponti–Villa Planchart exhibition at the Chiostri di San Simpliciano. The Anthony Vaccarello-curated event revisited the relationship between Italian architect Gio Ponti and Anala and Armando Planchart with a plate collection that he designed for the couple’s Venezuelan villa. Saint Laurent Rive Droite has also reissued 12 original plates in collaboration with Florentine manufacturer Ginori 1735.
Versace
Heritage played a big part in Versace’s latest Versace Home collection. Held at the historic Palazzo Versace, Via Gesù 12, the showcase highlighted the house’s beloved symbols such as the Medusa, Barocco, and Greca. These enduring motifs are omnipresent as they’re embroidered onto the furniture, textiles, and more. The Medusa ’95 Conversation Sofa, produced and distributed by Luxury Living Group, demonstrates the vision to perfection with its fine leather trim details and chenille Barocco reclining cushions.