In the wake of Milan design week, Dezeen’s editorial team has selected 13 standout launches from the event, including a sculptural radiator and a reversible ice cream coupe.
Optô table by Vincent Van Duysen for WonderGlass
chosen by Jennifer Hahn, design and environment editor
“Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen managed to scale up fused glass, often reserved for purely decorative applications, to create mesmerising tables (top and above) that look more like melting sheets of ice than shards of glass melted together in a giant furnace.
“Their air of fragility is enhanced by the many perforations dotting the top and base, which are actually ‘baked in’ rather than cut out by placing small piles of a noncombustible powder among the glass shards as they are fired.
“To prevent spillages, the cups and vases balanced on top feature Lego-style grips in their base that slot into these perforations – essential for a seasoned klutz such as myself.”
Artisan ice cream coupe by Georg Jensen
chosen by Cajsa Carlson, deputy editor
“One of my favourite things at Milan design week is when brands or designers create one-off venues that look like existing spaces in the city.
“This year, Danish brand Georg Jensen designed its own Gelateria Danese, a nod to Milan’s many stylish old ice cream shops, where it showed off its Artisan series.
“Best in show was a geometrically shaped silver coupe, which could be turned upside-down to serve ice cream from either end. It came with a quirky silver version of a disposable plastic ice cream spoon that I’m sure the brand had to stop many visitors from pocketing!”
Milano/totalcolour by Tubes
chosen by Ellen Eberhardt, US reporter
“As part of its first physical exhibition, digital design platform Deoron showcased glassware, furniture and other objects in a small subterranean parking garage in Porta Venezia.
“A series of rippled ceramic radiators by Italian brand Tubes stood at the centre. The brand has been creating sculptural radiators that come in electric, hydraulic or ‘plug and play’ options since 1992, but they only recently released the monochrome Milano.
“I think it’s genius to make heating so stylish.”
Frame Structured Armchair by Ryuichi Kozeki
chosen by Clara Finnigan, social editor
“Tokyo-based designer Ryuichi Kozeki was inspired by the sharpness of Donald Judd’s forms and the De Stijl movement when creating the Frame Structured Armchair. Constructed using walnut wood and finished with cashew-blended oil, the chair was presented as part of a collection of furniture and lighting at Alcova’s Villa Borsani.
“The exhibition, titled Deconstructed Minimalism, presented two chairs, a stool and two lighting pieces. Taking inspiration from the idea of deconstruction, the works aim to create a shift in the forms commonly interpreted as minimalist.
“Kozeki describes the chair as ‘minimal, simple and solid’, perfectly summarising its appeal for me. Understated and classic, this chair could slot into any home and be loved for a lifetime.”
Luce Sferica light by Ronan Bouroullec for Flos
chosen by Max Fraser, editorial director
“In this modular suspension lamp, French designer Ronan Bouroullec sought to mimic the delicacy of raindrops clinging to a thread or a soap bubble blown by a child. Available in three lengths, the lamp offers gentle diffused illumination above a table.
“The highly technical horizontal body, made from polished extruded aluminium, houses two LED strips: one emitting light upwards, the other downwards. This body element is encased in a series of thin, transparent, hand-blown glass spheres.
“Displayed without visual distraction on the Flos stand at Euroluce (more highlights here), the lamp caught my eye due to the elegant juxtaposition between the fragility of the glass and the sophistication of the inner workings.
“Indeed, Bouroullec describes the lamp as ‘an object of great technical precision that expresses delicate beauty and poetry’, a sentiment I would share.”
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Heavy Duties benches by Klemens Schillinger
chosen by Jane Englefield, design and interiors reporter
“An undeniable highlight from this year’s Milan was the debut of ABI, a new brand of collectible design based in Cairo and Milan that uses traditional Egyptian stone, with creative direction led by local stars NM3.
“The result is a lineup of extremely heavy but soft-to-the-touch pieces that balance the attractive familiarity of modernist shapes with the mind-bending mystery that comes with tapping Egypt’s precious Aswan quarries, where granite was once extracted to build the pyramids.
“A trio of veiny benches by Austrian designer Klemens Schillinger provides the perfect example. Although simple in form, each granite bench features a unique pattern that runs across its body and down its legs, giving the impression of a meandering river seen from space.
Wandering through the exhibition at gallery BKV Fine Art, you couldn’t help but feel humbled and genuinely inspired by the centuries of craft and collaboration that led to an exhibition like this – not least the many pitfalls involved in lugging hundreds of kilograms worth of stone up a narrow flight of Milanese stairs.
Flora Cabinet 190 by Marcin Rusak Studio
chosen by Jennifer Hahn, design and environment editor
“Dried flowers are suspended in time like flies in amber to form this treasure chest from designer Marcin Rusak – one of very few pieces I saw last week that actually made me feel something.
“The cabinet’s translucent resin shell reveals a vague outline of the objects contained within, creating a real sense of intrigue that pairs beautifully with the tragic fragility of the blooms.
“I ended up spending way too much time at the Romantic Brutalism exhibition, which features work by some of the hottest names in Polish design, just watching the ghostly shadows of people passing by behind.”
Cygnet lights by Michael Anastassiades
chosen by Cajsa Carlson, deputy editor
“The translucent, sculptural shapes of designer Michael Anastassiades’ modular Cygnet lights seemed to dance in the air at the Jacqueline Vodoz and Bruno Danese Foundation in Milan.
“Hanging from bamboo stalks that hid the electric cables – making the lamps look like they were floating – it wasn’t hard to see how the washi-paper Cygnet light was inspired by the kites that Anastassiades played with as a child.
“‘I was absolutely obsessed with flying kites as high as they could possibly fly,’ Anastassiades told me.
“‘And then there was a moment when you could no longer see the kite, you would lose it in the sky; it’s playing with the wind and then the sun hits it and you see it glow,’ he added. ‘[The Cygnet] is about capturing that moment.'”
Bent Aluminium table by Philippe Malouin
chosen by Amy Frearson, editor-at-large
“London-based designer Philippe Malouin was my star of the show this year, with designs including his sculpturally curved Trench chairs for Acerbis and ultra-relaxed Great Sofa for Hem. However, the standout was a collection of expertly crafted aluminium tables, consoles and shelves.
“Developed with New York gallery Salon 94 Design and produced by Swiss furniture manufacturer Lehni, the Bent Aluminium collection reveals Malouin’s love of industrial materials and technical precision.
“Drawers slot perfectly below the surfaces, while the legs are playfully raised on nylon blocks or castors. Bold colour choices give the designs an extra edge, with neon red and yellow alongside chocolate brown.”
Motta chair by Jasper Morrison for Magis
chosen by Max Fraser, editorial director
“The sprawling halls of Salone del Mobile were packed with thousands of new products screaming for our attention. In amongst that noise, I found myself craving a simple and practical product. This chair by Jasper Morrison hit the mark, displayed quietly yet confidently on the Magis stand.
“When coming up with this design, Morrison cited the 1979 Spaghetti Chair by Giandomenico Belotti, with the motivation to create ‘a lightweight chair with vertical legs and reduced bulk’.
Motta’s construction is clear to see, made up of a steel tube frame to which a seat and back in plastic, upholstery or wood is attached. These components can easily be switched out or replaced.
“So many designs I look at today lean into excessive materials and unnecessary details. True to form, Morrison cut away the superfluous to deliver a design that one could probably live with for many years to come.”
TYPE-XIII lights by A-Poc Able Issey Miyake and Atelier Oï
chosen by Clara Finnigan, social editor
“Clothing brand A-Poc Able Issey Miyake and design studio Atelier Oï debuted two lighting collections named the O series and the A series.
“Unveiled at Issey Miyake’s Milan’s flagship store, the series of lamps are constructed using a single piece of off-white cloth and are informed by ‘the beauty and delicacy’ of petals.
“The lamps have a weightless ethereal quality, staring at them, you feel as if they might lift off into the air. A fashionable UFO proclaiming to come in beauty and peace.
The fashion house’s first foray into lighting offers the perfect opportunity for Pleats Please obsessives to expand the Miyake look into their home.
Cosimo de Medici outdoor furniture by Muller Van Severen for Tectona
chosen by Amy Frearson, editor-at-large
“The Covid-19 pandemic prompted a whole host of brands to branch into outdoor furniture. This collection of metal chairs, tables and loungers by Belgian duo Muller Van Severen has bags more character than all the rest combined.
“First developed as a private commission for the 16th-century Villa Medici in Rome, the designs feature a distinct triangular detail that references the geometry of the house’s historic lemon garden.
“French outdoor furniture brand Tectona has released the design in calming shades of white, mint green and dark blue.”
Adrilla teapot by Patricia Urquiola for Loewe
chosen by Jane Englefield, design and interiors reporter
“As the ever-growing luxury-brandification of Milan rages on, fashion house Loewe’s steady commitment to craft-led exhibitions continues to feel justified and joyful. This year, Loewe invited 25 architects and designers to create their interpretation of a teapot.
“I was particularly drawn to the unusual piece by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola. Crafted from lumps of textured lilac ceramic with a puddle-like base, the teapot made me think of blocks of melting ice – possibly the residue of an alarmingly colourful slush puppie drink.
“I later learned that Urquiola was informed by the silhouette of a squirrel when designing her abstract vessel, which features an extended handle that nods to the animal’s bushy tail.
“My visual reference was way off, but swapping weird notes on the unconfirmed inspiration behind design objects is an eternally simple yet enjoyable task.”
Milan design week 2025 took place from 7 to 14 April. See our Milan design week 2025 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks that took place during the week.
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