influence. the influential
SALONE DEL MOBILE | MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2024
.The 2024 Milan Design Week, taking place from April 16th to 21st, stands as a key date in the design industry calendar. Hosted in Milan’s Rho Fiera, the event has been a cornerstone of design innovation since its inception in 1961. Officially referred to as The Salone del Mobile, the event serves as a platform for leading international and upcoming designers alike to showcase cutting-edge furniture, lighting, and homeware designs. This year, the event showcases a spectrum of design philosophies, from the refined contemporary styles of Hermès at La Pelota to technological innovations by BMW. The week promises to reflect the diversity and creativity currently driving the global design landscape. This article will explore key highlights of Milan Design Week 2024, including designers represented by The Freeman Gallery.
GUCCI DESIGN ANCORA
During Milan Design Week 2024, Gucci is set to unveil Gucci Design Ancora at their flagship store on Monte Napoleone 7 in Milan. The project, curated by Creative Director Sabato De Sarno and co-curated by Michele Pelizzari from PS Creative Agency, celebrates Italian design heritage with a focus on the distinct style of Milan. The exhibition will feature a special edition of five designs, including the renowned ‘Le Mura’ Sofa by Mario Bellini, revisited in collaboration with Tacchini. This edition respects the original design’s vision while showcasing it in Gucci Rosso Ancora, a vibrant red that highlights Gucci’s iconic color scheme. The space, designed by architect Guillermo Santomà, merges traditional Italian design with Gucci's contemporary aesthetic. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual walkthrough of the exhibit is available online, offering a global audience the chance to experience the event.
DRAGA & AUREL
The creative studio Draga & Aurel, founded by Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow in 2007, renowned for their unique blend of artistic approaches to materials and designs, will unveil new designs at this year’s Milan Design Week. Their latest collection features pastel hues, fluorescent details, metallic finishes, refractive elements, and rounded contours. This year's highlights include their collaboration with Rossana Orlandi at the Rossana Orlandi Gallery, where they will present alongside designer Giuliano Dell'Uva. Additional showcases will occur at the Nilufar Gallery alongside brands such as Poltrona Frau and Giorgetti. Draga & Aurel are also set to curate the entire layout of the Visionnaire's Wunderkammer at the Visionnaire showroom in.
PRADA FRAMES SYMPOSIUM BY FORMAFANTASMA
Prada Frames Symposium at Milan Design Week 2024, explores the intersection of design and environment through the theme "Being Home." Curated by Formafantasma, the symposium will be held from April 14 to 16 at the historic Bagatti Valsecchi Museum in Milan. The venue, a nineteenth century neo-Renaissance house that served as a residence until 1974, showcases a rich collection of fifteenth and sixteenth-century objects and furniture. The symposium will include contributions from Paola Antonelli, Brigitte Baptiste, Kate Crawford, Jack Halberstam, Anna Puigjaner, among others. Prada Frames brings together leading professionals to examine the living environment as a framework to address contemporary challenges. Sessions will take place throughout the museum’s various rooms, creating a series of intimate spaces for dialogue and exchange. By employing a transdisciplinary approach to delve into environmental issues, Prada Frames aims to foster innovative discussions that not only provide scientific insights but also enhance public understanding.
RESIDENZA BY ANDRES MONNIER AND SERAFINI
Andrés Monnier introduces his solo show, 'Residenza', AT MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2024 In collaboration with Galerie Philia anD Serafini. Monnier's collection titled 'Connexico' highlights his unique use of lava stone—a material deeply rooted in Mexican culture and historically used in various artifacts and structures. Hosted in Vicenza, Italy, this residency allowed Monnier to combine traditional handcrafting techniques with the advanced technology of Serafini's CNC robotic machines, producing a series of distinct pieces including a floor lamp, a side table, a rock candelabra, and a wall-hanging mirror
THE TOPOGRAPHY OF MATERIAL BY HÉRMES AT LA PELOTA
Hermès presents "The Topography of Material’ at Milan Design Week 2024, an exclusive installation at La Pelota that artfully blends heritage with contemporary design. The exhibit highlights time-honoured flooring patterns that feature materials deeply rooted in Italian tradition, sourced from across the nation to demonstrate the depth of local artisanal expertise. Among these materials are reclaimed wood from Lombardy, cracked earth, Trentino Porphyry, terracotta in half-moon patterns, 22,000 pieces of green ware, and limestone from Puglia paired with pebbled Carrara marble.
"The Topography of Material" showcases a diverse collection of Hermès items, from iconic historical designs to recent innovations. Notable pieces include Tomas Alonso’s Coulisse paper lamp and Studio Mumbai's Lignage d'Hermès stone table. The exhibit is vividly enhanced by vibrant hues and patchwork patterns, which are artfully contrasted with whimsical 1960s silk jock outfits. This curated presentation exemplifies Hermès’ dedication to marrying tradition with modern design aesthetics.
Article by: Gabrielle Clancy