Louis Vuitton, Armani and Fendi venture into interiors and homewares
This year’s Salone del Mobile displayed the increasing presence of fashion houses within the realm of interiors, proving they are masters of showmanship.
The worlds of high fashion and interiors have more in common than you’d first believe. Both industries are rooted in creativity, craftsmanship and cutting-edge design. Both really took hold in the 20th century, nurturing talent and visionary thinking through designs that still resonate today. And both seem to inch closer and closer together as each year passes. In fact, if the confluence of luxury fashion houses presenting at Milan’s premier design fair Salone del Mobile is any indication, fashion and design are more intertwined than ever.
Running over one espresso-fuelled week in April, this year’s Salone was a return to form for the world’s largest and most prestigious furniture fair, especially compared to the previous two years, which languished as Covid took its toll. For 2023, brands were back in business, with some of the strongest and starriest presentations hailing from luxury heavyweights such as Louis Vuitton, Armani and Dior, who collaborated with design icons Philippe Starck, Gaetano Pesce, and Australian star Marc Newson to underscore their credibility.
Here, we present some of the standout show moments.
1. BOTTEGA VENETA
In a continuation of its collaboration with pioneering architect, artist and designer Gaetano Pesce (who fashioned seats for the spring/summer ’23 show), Bottega Veneta tasked the iconic creative to craft another moment at the Italian brand’s Montenapoleone store. Titled Vieni a Vedere, or ‘Come and see’, it took visitors through a Pesce-designed grotto to view two artist’s edition handbags, commissioned specially for Salone.
2. ARMANI/CASA
In an unprecedented move, Giorgio Armani opened the brand’s headquarters to the public during Salone, allowing (many, many) curious onlookers a glimpse inside the splendour of Palazzo Orsini. And it didn’t disappoint – from the finely manicured gardens to the breathtaking frescoed ceilings – the palazzo proved to be the ultimate backdrop for Armani/Casa’s latest furniture collection.
3. LOUIS VUITTON
The French maison hosted two presentations at Palazzo Serbelloni – Marc Newson’s Cabinet of Curiosities, presented inside a silver box-shaped pavilion in the gardens, while upstairs in the palazzo we saw fresh creations from the likes of Marcel Wanders, Atelier Oï, Raw Edges and Campana Brothers for the Objets Nomades 2023 collection. In the courtyard was the viral moment: architect Marc Fornes’s coral-inspired Theverymany’s Pavilion Nomad.
4. HERMÈS
In a masterstroke of elegant restraint, the Hermès home collection played with simple and geometric forms, and a bold colour palette dominated by cherry red, forest green and mustard. Highlights included the structured tan leather and wood Ancelle d’Hermès armchair, the graphic patterned rug collection by Pierre Charpin and the quietly luxurious Contour d’Hermès sofa.
5. FENDI CASA
Setting up shop inside the brand’s Piazza della Scala boutique, Fendi Casa’s collection was separated by three core moods: crafting, family and vibrant. Highlighting leather as a motif, the armchair and sofa collection featured designs by Dimorestudio, Cristina Celestino, Controvento Studio, and Piero Lissoni, and updates to its Louis Poulsen-designed lighting.
6. DIOR
Downstairs in the 18th century Palazzo Citterio, guests viewed an immersive video and music installation with chairs strung up in a carousel and set to a soundtrack by Soundwalk Collective. Philippe Starcke’s reinvention of Dior’s Medallion chair featured seats in materials such as aluminium and bouclé.
7. LOEWE
Spanish fashion house Loewe is celebrated for its artisanal approach to leathergoods, and naturally its Milan presentation focused on craft — specifically, the act of weaving and embellishment. An assortment of Loewe chairs were arranged in the Palazzo Isimbardi courtyard, showcasing decorative techniques in leather, felt, raffia, shearling and foil.
