{"id":173710,"date":"2025-04-17T17:54:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T16:54:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centmagazine.co.uk\/?p=173710"},"modified":"2025-04-23T13:22:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T12:22:04","slug":"milan-revealing-see-how-our-senses-meet-emotional-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/?p=173710","title":{"rendered":"Milan; Revealing See How Our Senses Meet Emotional Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a world driven mercilessly by AI, it seems we have no choice in this somewhat hairy rollercoaster of joy, fear and dread. The annual design fair in Milan highlighted how, without human interaction, without the joining of our senses with design AI, simply can’t work. So much of what was on show was there to engage with, to touch, smell and see. Maybe the future in new hands is a lot less frightening than we are all fearing. Milan showed hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Jo Phillips and Romee Pietersen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1961, Salone del Mobile<\/a>, also known as Milan Design Week, is an annual international furniture and design trade fair global benchmark event for the furnishing and design sector held in Milan, Italy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year in April, the good and great of the world of design and even product communities congregate in this one city to explore where design is taking us all. Design now more than ever is an umbrella term that can encompass anything from food to furniture, cars to perfume and more. As well as a huge design fair, the city is literally taken over for one week. Walk down any street, turn any corner and find something of interest related in some shape or form to design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As our world becomes more and more automated, we have to think far less to get things done. The creeping fear that machines (driven by AI) are taking over the world was somewhat halted this year at the show. One standout take from this year’s presentations was that touch, sound, smell, and hearing were so part of the installations on show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take, for example, the plethora of scent companies showing during the event. Perfumer extraordinaire Marc-Antoine Barrois<\/a> paired with designer Antoine Bouillot for an exclusive preview at Milano Design Week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For their first-ever appearance at the show, they unveiled a large-scale, immersive installation, an emotional journey of olfactory art and experiential design, offering a vision of hope and optimism. Entering the event contained in an old rope factory, the viewer was met by a black walkway made up of long black rope, which meant accessing the installation was a journey of both excitement and trepidation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once making it through the dark curtain, there was light. In the centre hung a bright white orbed light with white flowers below and pebbled seating. The womb-like space accessed via the black rope curtains was metaphorically as well as physically, going from dark to light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result was a play of darkness and light, this dense forest of ropes to navigate through, in order to reach a giant spherical light, with white paper tuberoses at its heart.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Once arrived, seating was present but from a new dimension, a collaboration between Barrois and Bouillot being launched as a limited edition through the Marc-Antoine Barrois boutiques in London and<\/a> Paris, and StudioTwentySeven in New York. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reminiscent of giant marble stones resting there were in fact giant versions of pebbles they collected on the beaches of Belle \u00cele, where Barrois lives in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surfaces were then scanned, capturing every element of colours, curves, and texture, then reproduced via carving from blocks of Italian marble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the global launch for his latest elixir, Aldebaran ( a star that is 400 times brighter than the sun, which symbolises hope and optimism:\u00a0more to come ), and it was very much related to his artistic world, where his aesthetic and emotive messages met. The darkness leading to light is the hope we all wish for, the optimism we all crave in troubled times. It was very much in keeping with much of the optimism and emotionally led events and shows during Milan, and also won a first prize at the This was the global launch for his latest elixir, Aldebaran ( a star that is 400 times brighter than the sun that symbolises hope and optimism:\u00a0more to come ), and it was very much related to his artistic world, where his aesthetic and emotive messages met. The darkness leading to light is the hope we all wish for, the optimism we all crave in troubled times. It was very much in keeping with much of the optimism and emotionally led events and shows during Milan, and also won a first prize at the Fuorisalone Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Next up, Australian home brand Aesop, the show’s first ever Sensory Patron and this season their second as an official partner of Salone del Mobile. Awaiting the culturally-minded and sensorially inquisitive alike w<\/a>as an installation at Chiesa del Carmine called The Second Skin. Taking place at the historic 15th-century church was the exploration of dermis and design that took inspiration both from the skin\u2019s functions of regulation, protection and sensation, and the alluring entrance halls that are a signature of so many Milanese buildings. Both the skin of the human <\/a>and the skin of the building explode through smell and touch.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The house presented its new hand balm, Eleos Aromatique, with its woody, herbaceous and spicy aroma, in giant metal troughs, as a celebration of water on skin. Deeper into a hidden inner sanctum, a film screened of dancers expressing the joyful act of bathing. The work was made in collaboration with Nayoung Kim, an independent choreographer and current dancer of Tanztheater Wuppertal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the early adopters of niche Fragrance, Diptyque, celebrated the opening of their newest store in Milan at via Manzoni. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 134 m2 space over two floors, it is characterised by the Diptyque founding spirit and the first boutique opened at 34 boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris. Soft furnishings, dazzling colours and an eclectic collection of art and object d’art, bringing a sense of home comforts to the space.<\/p>\n\n\n

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On the ground floor, dominated by light, warm hues, a monumental mural drawing inspired by one of the original owner’s, Desmond Knox-Leet\u2019s, landscapes captivates the attention as it dominates the fragrances counter, opposite a central custom-made table.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Also find in the store an area devoted to the art of skincare, of course, the perfumes and home scent as well as a crafted collection of beautiful homeware and d\u00e9cor objects. As ever, the store is a meeting of wanderlust wrapped in a womb of decadent scent.

One of the most iconic of Italian scent brands, Acqua Di Parma<\/a>, presented Sunrise in the Orchard this season. Guests entered an installation that celebrated the simple joys of life. The boutique transformed into the atelier of Sicilian artisan Antonio Fratantoni in the orchard, bringing to life the spirit of Buongiorno. Buongiorno is an ode to the Italian Arte di Vivere, the exuberance of spring blooming in the Tuscan hills, the freedom of a barefoot stroll in the garden. <\/p>\n\n\n

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At the heart of the installation, a large-size sun makes a statement. Surrounding it, ceramicist\u2019s tools and sculptural details narrate the story of the artisanal technique in motion, accompanied by clay-filled sacks symbolic of the raw materials and transformative process behind Fratantoni\u2019s creations. Elements inspired by basil and petitgrain, along with a curated green installation by Potafiori, enhance the space with textures and scent, inviting guests to experience an artistic tribute to everyday moments and the elegance of Buongiorno. Visitors can also book a guided tour and fragrance experience with a Brand Ambassador and Antonio Fratantoni at <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another exciting preview was the  Jil Sander<\/a> Design Talks on Olfactory Series 1. An in-depth Design Talk was moderated by creative director and journalist Dan Thawley. The conversation explored the design and craft of the new Jil Sander fragrance collection, Olfactory Series 1, created together with five of the most talented emerging and established perfumers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Olfactory Series 1 fuses botany and technology in six minimalist, unisex formulas in which the olfactory marks of aldehydes cut across key natural ingredients, giving every unique fragrance shapes and volumes. More to come regarding exploring these incredible new perfumes when they launch in the UK later this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Brioni<\/a> and Lalique<\/a> joined forces to bring forth an objet d\u2019art that embodies their shared commitment to artistry and craftsmanship. Unveiled to commemorate Brioni\u2019s 80th anniversary, the limited-edition Dualit\u00e9, Crystal Edition Perfume marks a defining moment in luxury design.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Limited to only 18 signed flacons, Dualit\u00e9, Crystal Edition Perfume has been crafted in appreciation of multi-sensory sophistication for brand aficionados and art connoisseurs. A collaboration four years in the making between Brioni and Lalique, the collector\u2019s piece is a testament to craftsmanship and the revival of lost arts. Conceptualised by Brioni Design Director Norbert Stumpfl and Lalique Artistic and Creative Director Marc Larminaux, this objet d\u2019art explores the theme of duality, where elemental forces collide in perfect harmony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the sense of smell was exposed, next came touch with materials to explore to touch to admire. From tech brands to fashion brands, the emotion of texture against skin played large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of Milan Design Week, Louis Vuitton<\/a> unveiled its new LV Home Collections, revealed for the first time in the sumptuous setting of Palazzo Serbelloni. This event demonstrated Louis Vuitton\u2019s growing presence in the design world through a display of its new Home Collections alongside original trunks and the now iconic Objets.<\/p>\n\n\n

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These limited-edition pieces celebrate the coming together of renowned artisans and contemporary design talents such as India Mahdavi, Patricia Urquiola and Est\u00fadio Campana. In 2025, Louis Vuitton continues to explore the world of design and home decor as it opens a new chapter with the launch of its Home Collections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vivienne Fashionista Starlet Louis Vuitton SS25<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A whole universe is dedicated to art de vivre for the very first time. Alongside Objets Nomades, the Louis Vuitton Home Collections are bringing together a new collection of furniture and lighting on an unprecedented scale, complete with decor lines, home textiles, tableware and unique games, merging the sensorial and the aesthetic, with pleasurably functional results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, British-based Lara Bohinc from bohinc studio.com<\/a> presented her tactile the elegant limited edition collection.  Anima, a sculptural collection, debuted at Alcova at Villa Bagatti Valsecc. Inspired by dreams of nature, which symbolise a desire for peace and balance, the silhouettes, defined by soft curves and twin peaks with a central dip, subtly echo natural landscapes while evoking the subconscious symbolism of lips, adding a poetic depth to their sculptural elegance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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At the heart of the collection are three upholstered seating pieces, the Anima Sofa, Armchair, and Occasional Chair, created in collaboration with Maison Phelippeau, a revered French upholstery house known for its artisanal<\/a> expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Handmade in London with a zero-carbon footprint, each piece is crafted entirely from natural materials, including Vanadium steel coils, horsehair, and wool, enveloped in pure alpaca wool by Inata, a sustainable French textile brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the mega design space SuperDesign<\/a>, this year celebrating 25 years showing at Solone, the Department of International Trade Promotion of Thailand (DITP) proudly presented the Slow Hand Design Exhibition 2025, a showcase of Thai creativity.
This year\u2019s exhibition took on a new dimension through a special collaboration with the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) to introduce the groundbreaking FRONT100 initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Image SuperDesign<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the theme \u201cCutie Thai: Plaisir d’Amour\u201d, the exhibition explored the pursuit of happiness in an era marked by global uncertainty. Climate-related disasters, such as the recent wildfires, highlight the need for responsible consumption and eco-conscious design. While society leans towards instant gratification, finding harmony between short-term pleasure and long-term sustainability remains essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bamboo, rattan and silk lighting by Pitak Style Co., Ltd<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Image SuperDesign<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the section Materially, exhibiting companies aimed to convey
complex concepts and processes related to sustainability measurement
and performance in a simple, precise, and engaging way. In this collection was a furniture collection from Poliuretano \u00e8 by the leading Italian flexible polyurethane foam producers: Cires, Nir, Olmo, Orsa foam, Pelma, and Sip. The project aims to promote the potential of this material<\/a>, exhibiting companies aimed to convey
complex concepts and processes related to sustainability measurement
and performance in a simple, precise, and engaging way.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In this collection was a furniture collection from Poliuretano \u00e8 was also a big crowd pleaser with most people enjoying the comfort and colour on show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Egg-citing chair-bed from Joey Ho for PAL design group<\/a> Image SuperDesign<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Debut of Hong Kong\u2019s interior design industry<\/a> \u201cUrban Reflection\u201d exhibition at Superdesign came the Egg-citing chair-bed from Joey Ho for PAL design group<\/a> is a great way to make every day a little more joyful. Rock and see the sky or even watch TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both sleep, rest and play are all part of the emotions we live by daily, and The SurfBench by Kim Andr\u00e9 Lange<\/a> is designed to engage people in spaces with limited or no distractions, helping time pass more quickly. By encouraging users to explore the behaviour of the wave with their hands, the bench not only imparts valuable insights into physics but also sparks spontaneous dialogue between strangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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