This year’s Milan Design Week was rich in quiet revelations. While the city thrived on bold installations and experimental flair, some of the most compelling moments asked visitors to slow down. Mirrored forests bathed in silver light, sculptures infused with scent, textiles that spoke through texture, and shoes shaped by the hands of heritage artisans - each showcase was a reminder that design is as much about feeling as it is about form. Together, they traced a delicate thread between history and modernity, inviting us to see beauty not just in the object, but in the story it tells.
Buccellati’s ‘Naturalia’
On Via Brisa, Buccellati transformed its historic headquarters into a silver-laced dreamscape. Titled Naturalia, the exhibition - produced by Balich Wonder Studio, led guests on a sensorial journey through mountains, forests and oceans. But this wasn’t nature as we know it. It was refracted through Buccellati’s meticulous silversmithing: eagle feathers rendered in gleaming metal, coral reefs sculpted in luminous detail, boars and deer tucked beneath silver leaves.
With botanical artistry by Studio Mary Lennox and immersive soundscapes, Naturalia felt more like a lucid dream than a traditional exhibition. At its heart was the celebrated “Furry Animals” collection - an ode to the House’s legacy, now viewed through the lens of contemporary installation art. “We couldn’t think of a more perfect moment to be working with Buccellati,” the Mary Lennox team shared. “We immersed ourselves in a world where heritage and craftsmanship meet imagination and curiosity.”
Amouage x Gaetano Pesce
Another sensory experience awaited at the Antonia Jannone Gallery. Legendary designer Gaetano Pesce, known for his irreverent use of colour and form, unveiled the Oman Collection in collaboration with luxury fragrance House Amouage. The collection stemmed from a single material: Omani frankincense resin. This natural element became the spiritual and structural core of three striking pieces - a chair, a throne and a sculptural seat - each one evoking the gnarled elegance of the frankincense tree.
Pesce fused two polyurethanes to explore elasticity and structure, while Amouage brought its scent-storytelling ethos to life. Together, the works offered memory, place and emotion. The Oman Throne, in particular, was a majestic homage to the ancient tree, its form abstract yet undeniably rooted.
Missoni Home
Meanwhile, Missoni invited guests into a kaleidoscopic cocoon of colour and comfort with its new home collection. A celebration of tactility, the line played with jacquard weaves, flame yarns, and soft, luminous textiles across towels, throws, linens and lifestyle accessories. Zigzag motifs - synonymous with Missoni’s visual language were reimagined in earthy gradients, while rich materials like cashmere, silk, and satin elevated everyday items into objets d’art.
From striped plaids and lurex-dotted bathrobes to fabric-covered dolls and sequin-laced trays, each piece radiated warmth and a nostalgic sense of home. It was about creating moments of joy, texture, and memory through interior design.
FENDI Casa
In honour of the brand's centenary, the collection effortlessly blended iconic yet timeless design with fresh interpretations, reimagining pieces through updated materials, colours, and finishes. Each item, whether a luxurious chair or sculptural table, spoke to the Maison’s enduring commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. The presentation highlighted the brand's distinctive language, showcasing a harmony of past and present while embracing the unpredictability of contemporary trends. A standout moment was the limited-edition Peekaboo Soft Medium bag, reinterpreted by British designer Lewis Kemmenoe. Made from Fendi’s signature leathers, it combined artistic craftsmanship with functional elegance, making it both a conversation piece and a timeless accessory.
Ferragamo’s Tramezza
Lastly, Ferragamo offered a quieter but equally powerful exhibition dedicated to Tramezza, its iconic line of handcrafted men’s shoes. Taking place inside the Men’s Boutique, the showcase offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the slow, meticulous process of shoemaking - an art that sits at the crossroads of innovation and tradition.
With materials sourced for longevity and silhouettes sculpted to near perfection, The Tramezza Experience highlighted not just what goes into a luxury shoe, but why it matters. In an age of instant everything, Ferragamo reminded us of the value of patience, detail, and timeless style.
