Milan Design Week
Milan Design Week 2025: A Celebration of Craft, Concept and Culture — with Artemest’s L'appartamento Stealing the Show.
The project was born from a thoughtful introduction by Act 1 Global, who brought together Artemest and 1508 London, recognising a natural synergy between the platform’s artisanal heritage and the studio’s refined, narrative-driven approach to interiors.
Tucked into the atmospheric streets of Brera, L'appartamento by Artemest collaborating with multiple distinguished designers, was a standout moment in this year’s programming, and arguably one of the most talked-about events of the week.
Occupying an upper floor of a discreet Milanese apartment, the installation was a masterclass in spatial storytelling. With a concept rooted in intimacy and narrative, the space felt less like an exhibition and more like stepping into the private world of an elegantly imagined character, a collector, a thinker, perhaps a flâneur.
The curation was impeccable. A tactile palette of ochres, velvety tobacco and emerald Green tones wrapped around sculptural furnishings, vintage pieces sat alongside art that felt both deeply personal and confidently placed. The vintage selections styled effortlessly alongside contemporary works, creating a sense of layered history and lived-in luxury. Lighting, often a supporting act in temporary spaces played a leading role. Pools of warm, directional light shaped the mood of each corner, evoking a quiet intimacy and drawing the eye to the exquisite materiality throughout.
In a week full of visual maximalism and brand-led theatrics, Le Appartement offered a space to pause — refined spaces to dwell in. The scent, the soundscape, even the temperature were calibrated to create a fully immersive environment. It was a gentle but powerful reminder of design’s emotional resonance when executed with care and clarity of vision.
Other Highlights from Salone and Fuorisalone
While L'appartamento was a jewel of Brera, the rest of Milan buzzed with innovation:
At the Fiera, major brands returned with new energy. Poltrona Frau’s 2025 collection focused on low-carbon materials and reissued archival classics, while B&B Italia introduced fluid silhouettes and experimental upholstery developed in collaboration with emerging textile designers.
Rossana Orlandi Gallery hosted a series of sustainability-led showcases, with standout work by young designers exploring biomaterials and waste-led production methods.
Alcova, now firmly cemented as the cool kid of Fuorisalone, delivered a mix of high-concept installations and product launches across its raw, atmospheric venue — including a standout collaboration between Norwegian Crafts and Italian artisans.
Reflections on the Future of Design
If 2024 was the year of cautious optimism, 2025 feels like a full embrace of possibility. The best installations weren’t just beautiful — they were purposeful, provocative, and full of personality. Across Milan, there was a palpable shift from trend-chasing to storytelling, from throwaway to timeless. Studios like 1508 exemplify this pivot: crafting spaces that resonate not just aesthetically, but emotionally.
As the sun sets on another Milan Design Week, one thing is clear: design is no longer just about what we see — it’s about what we feel, remember, and carry with us.
