Highlights from Milan Design Week, 2025

2025 April was no different — similar to every year, all eyes were on the yearly grand celebration of interior design. Considered as one of the most coveted events of the year, only comparable to the famous Global Fashion Weeks — The Milan Design Week took place in all its glory. Most big brands took part at the Fashion and Design Capital of the World, representing their homewares collection. Brands went big this year, with out of the ordinary aesthetics combined with functional designs. However, what caught most attention as a Bangladeshi was that a locally manufactured brand — FICO took part amongst the giants and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the monarchs of Fashion & Design.

Here's a bird's eye view of the event and a little bit about FICO.

Louis Vuitton

LV had a spectacular representation at the Palazzo Serbelloni – with Objets Nomades homewares collection. The entrance of the hallway was brought to attention with a Pharrell Williams branded pinball machine. When you had seen enough, you'd be encouraged to enter the most lavish dining space next door — 'a dream come true' for collectors. Just when you were done complementing the designs, you are captivated by quirky, fun and inspiring rugs and ceramics, mostly inspired by Italian folklore. The evening ends with finger foods, mingling with brand enthusiasts and some good music.

Prada

Prada carried on a day long cross disciplinary talks titled — The Prada Express — covering subject matters like 'infrastructures of migration,' to 'space travel' and 'climate control.' The discussions took place at the spectacular Padiglione Reale, once the Milano Centrale station's royal waiting room, and aboard the Gio Ponti and Giulio Minoletti — designed Arlecchino train. Miuccia Prada was present all throughout the discussions, making the afternoon extra engaging. 

Gucci

Gucci staged a unique project this year, completely different from what they had done in the past. This year's exhibition took place at the stunning San Simpliciano church titled Bamboo Encounters, the exhibition paid homage to bamboo, the material that has been a staple of Gucci's designs since the mid-1940s. When you were done complimenting the remarkable bamboo structures, the exhibition helped to step back in time to the colourful days of flying kites with friends. As an observer you may be inclined to think the kites were a part of the event aesthetics, but in reality, it was less so and more inclined towards — 'kite's- inherent connections to bamboo and paper.

FICO

This proudly-manufactured-in-Bangladesh brand was officially launched at the Milan Design Week curated by MoscaPartners Variations at the gorgeous Palazzo Litta with a playful collection that redefined basic shapes and brought them to life within the luxury furniture space. With a strong foundation in material expertise and precision manufacturing, FICO by Rayana Hossain, is said to be made exclusively for the European market, the furniture boasted the supremacy of craftsmanship, functionality, and cultural storytelling.

The debut collection at the Milan Design Week featured a curated selection of furniture including armchair sofa, side tables etc., but what caught most attention were the room dividers with screens made of Jamdani prints. This was certainly a homage paid to our age-old heritage fabric and an innovative way to incorporate it into luxury furniture – a fresh approach to longstanding craftmanship.