ECC Milano Recap

This year’s Milan Fair was a celebration of evolution, where brands continued to expand their collections through innovation, materiality, and form. Our team walked what seemed like the length of four football fields amongst the world’s most influential designs, uncovering what’s to come in tomorrow’s interiors. 

From the organic curves of luxurious sofas, to the artistic glow of sculptural lighting, this year's fair embraced a human-first design philosophy.

Furniture:

Comfort was the ultimate luxury. Seating was unapologetically generous; low and deep sofas with sculpted curves and elevated backrests offered support, and a sense of embrace. Brands such as Piet Boon, Linteloo, and Giorgetti placed softness and ergonomic design at the heart of their collections. Paola Lenti blended their signature flair of colours with a new playful kids collection.

Materiality took centre stage with collections defined by tactile materials in grounded palettes. New Zealand wool was prominently featured in Minotti’s rug offerings, while Henge showcased a fingerprint resistant metal surface, elevating interior finishes.

A distinct masculine edge was also noticeable through bold proportions, and sculptural travertine elements.

Outdoor living was reimagined with technology and intelligence. Royal Botania brought seasonal adaptability to the forefront, introducing heating technology into dining tables, and multifunctional parasols.

Lighting:

Glass was a dominant material, showcased in a spectrum of colours and forms across many collections. Portable lighting is also in favour, with Vibia and Flos unveiling new designs. Track lighting was reinterpreted with flexible, dynamic systems built to move and adapt with space.

Some lighting moments that captured our attention included:

- Bocci's exhibition where we saw immersive lighting in glass doors
- Nendo’s captivating new lighting series, crafted in ceramic and glass
- The debut of Flos’ Maap light, a sculptural blend of art and function 
- The refined minimalism of Australian designer Ross Gardam’s latest creations

ECC Highlights

Among the fair’s standout moments were Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades, which transformed a Milan gallery into a showcase of couture-inspired egg chairs and bespoke design pieces. Tom Dixon brought a playful fusion of lifestyle and design with his café-style installation, where we saw an updated Spun Candelabra in vivid blue.

The Minotti party was another highlight. A private event hosting around 300 guests, including key dealers, in celebration of their Michelin-starred culinary experience. Meanwhile, Harry’s Bar provided a more intimate atmosphere, where we enjoyed the view over the hills, adding a cinematic close to a design-filled evening.

Looking forward

Design is moving towards emotion-driven spaces, where comfort meets craft, and innovation hides in the details. Chrome itself re-emerged as a bold accent, softened by surrounding earthy hues. Designers also leaned into texture and print, layering materials to create spaces with visual depth. Whether it’s a foldable umbrella with integrated lighting, a glass pendant that doubles as sculpture, this year was about living well.