Milan-based luxury leather goods brand Valextra launched an outstanding multi-channel design exposition for this year’s Milan Design Week. Titled as “Valextra Vocabolario”, the exhibition is an intriguing in-store immersive experience in collaboration with Bergamo-based Studio Temp, showcasing at the brand’s flagship store on Via Manzoni.

Valextra’s flagship store, designed by noted British architect John Pawson in 2019, was transformed into an unprecedented scene. Aluminum sheets rise from floor to ceiling, turning this minimalist haven into a maze of intersecting slabs. This brutalist intervention by Studio Temp from the street creates a bold play of abstract geometries that seamlessly integrates into the store, offering special pieces and new metallic finishes. The graphical language of the project pays tribute to Valextra’s rich history of avant-garde design collaborations.

A highlight of the initiative is the 3D-printed “Iside Onda” bag. This curvilinear and futuristic rendition of the classic trapezoidal design of the iconic Iside bag, first conceived in 2011, is crafted from a biodegradable corn-derived filament. The bag’s striated surface, a product of the pliability of its organic and renewable materials, showcases the potential of blending 3D printing technology with traditional leather-working techniques. The rigid, sculpted body is hand-painted and finished with elegant black-on-black leather and metal details, elevating the fusion of cutting-edge technology with artisanal luxury.

In occasion of this world-class design event, Valextra introduced “Valextra Assoluto,” a new unisex capsule collection made from regenerated nylon, featuring sophisticated, ergonomic designs and monochromatic metal inserts. This high-performance luxury line embodies Valextra’s dedication to progressive technology while preserving artisanal traditions. The collection includes a multi-pocket Shopper, a Fanny Pack inspired by the iconic 1968 Tric-Trac bag, and a V-draped Backpack, all designed to speak the “Valextra Vocabolario.”

Further innovating the retail experience, Valextra SPA, offers a dedicated repair and restoration service. This playful wellness center-themed installation, complete with customized workstations next to a futuristic sauna clad in aluminum, reflects the brand’s commitment to extending the life cycle of its products.

As part of MiArt and Salone del Mobile, Valextra proudly integrates itself among Milan’s most renowned icons with a bold display across the entire facade of La Rinascente. Each of the eight arched windows features a large gray letter from the brand’s name, with eye-level slits revealing Valextra products within a dramatically lit setup. On the first floor, the men’s luxury department hosts a pop-up of Valextra Vocabolario, echoing the angular structures and logo carpet of the Via Manzoni installation.

This temporary setup complements the permanent female Valextra section at La Rinascente, ensuring the brand’s innovative and traditional crafts remain a significant part of Milan’s luxury landscape.

For this year’s Salone di Mobile, Saint Laurent’s new cultural destination and creative retail Saint Laurent Rive Droite teamed up with the Gio Ponti Archives and the Fundación Anala y Armando Planchart on an exclusive collaboration. Situated in Brera, Milan’s artistic and cultural neighborhood, the exhibition showccases an impressive collection of porcelain plates curated by Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello.

Hidden in the heart of Milan, the exhibition takes place in a serene and solemn 16^th century ancient cloister, Chiostri di San Simpliciano. Amid the excitement of Milan Design Week, the exhibition is a tranquil stage where the tradition and modernity encounter. Hand in hand with historic Italian porcelain house Ginori 1735, Saint Laurent Rive Droite presents 12 original plates, reissued from Villa Planchart Segnaposto collection designed by the legendary Italian architect Gio Ponti in 1957. Hand painted in Ginori 1735’s Italian Manifattura, the plates are the culmination of artisanal heritage and luxury excellence, and a tribute to Italian design and craftsmanship.

The story of the plates dated back to 1953, when successful Venezuelan automobile dealer Amrando Planchart and his wife Anala reached out to notable Italian architect Gio Ponti on a special commission. As avid lovers of art and culture, the couple invited Gio Ponti to build an avant-garde villa on the highest hill of Caracas, Venezuela. Named as Villa Planchart, the residence was designed as a “light and graceful butterfly nestled on a hill”. Filled with creative inventions and bright and vivacious colors, the villa overlooks magnificent panoramic views of Caracas, perfectly fulfilled the Plancharts’ vision to modernity.

To finalize the interior decoration of the villa, Gio Ponti invited outstanding Italian artisans with traditional expertise. Among them was the Florentine porcelain manufacturer Ginori 1735, of which he had previously worked an artistic director. He designed a set of porcelain tableware, each piece a testament to his deft combination of functionality and artistry. Decorated with the symbols and motifs of the villa, the plates demonstrated Gio Ponti’s artistic flair and eye for detail. The Sun, the Crescent Moon, the Polar Star and magnificent iterations of the letter “A” – an homage to Anala and Armando, these elements elegantly presented a harmonious balance of color and form, evoking the villa’s altitudinal elevation and natural surroundings.

Not mere a homage to Gio Ponti’s legacy, the exhibition is a showcase of the finest Italian craftsmanship and design, as well as Saint Laurent’s exceptional taste and aesthetics. Open to public from April 16th to 21st, the Gio Ponti – Villa Planchart exhibition will be on view at Milan’s Chiostri Di San Simpliciano, coinciding with the Salone del Mobile 2024.

For those interested in owning the reissued Gio Ponti plates, they can find them accessible only on ysl.com, at Saint Laurent Rive Droite Los Angeles, Saint Laurent Babylone in Paris and, for a limited time and by appointment, at Saint Laurent’s Milan flagship on Via Montenapoleone during Milan Design Week.

In the historic heart of Vienna, a city where tradition waltzes with modernity, a grand celebration unfolded. Mytheresa, in concert with the esteemed fashion brand Miu Miu, targeted by Lyst as the hottest brand of the moment, hosted a two-day event, imbued with elegance and exclusivity, to usher in the holiday season.

The experience commenced at the majestic Upper Belvedere Palace, a symbol of the imperial grandeur. Within its hallowed halls, illuminated by the warm glow of candels and embellished with dark red flowers, the guests were embraced by a tableau of sophistication. The attendees were treated to a private tour of the most extensive Gustav Klimt collection in the venerable Upper Belvedere Palace. This visual feast of Klimt’s celebrated works, set against the backdrop of Viennese historical splendor. The grandiose hall, adorned with intricate frescoes and golden embellishments, hosted a tableau where light danced off polished surfaces and shadows played along the edges, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance. This exclusive gathering marked a beginning to the season’s celebrations.

As the night progressed, the soiree’s ambiance shifted to the dining room where culinary art awaited. Two elongated tables, arrayed in unblemished white linens, stood ready for the banquet prepared by the esteemed Chef Johannes Nuding. In this setting, guests like Poppy Delevingne, Pixie Geldof, Raven Smith and Manon Bresh, convened to savor the gastronomic masterpieces.

The juxtaposition of the room’s classical architecture with the sumptuous, modern fare created a harmonious blend of past and present. Adding a touch of whimsy to the elegant affair, celebrated stylist and cake artist Sophia Stolz presented a dazzling array of desserts, way more than just sweet treats. They were masterpieces of culinary art, delighting the senses and adding a layer of enchantment to the evening.

The revelry continued to the next day with a refined lunch at the five-star Hotel Sacher, a bastion of Viennese elegance and luxury. Famous worldwide for its modernized ‘Sacher Torte’, adark chocolate glazed sponge cake with layers of apricot jam, the hotel pushing the traditional Austrian culinary heritage to the pinnacle.

Each moment of the celebration was crafted with care and attention to detail, reflective of the warmth and familiarity that are hallmarks of Mytheresa events. From the selection of the venues to the intricacies of the program, every element was a nod to the art of fine hosting.

This two-day fête by Mytheresa and Miu Miu stood as a testament to the power of collaboration and elevate the essence of celebration, leaving a mark on the hearts of those who were part of this special Viennese rendez-vous.

The world of fashion is gearing up to welcome a new chapter of timeless elegance with the release of the book “Givenchy Sfilate”. This extraordinary monograph offers an unprecedented immersion into the haute couture and ready-to-wear collections of the renowned Maison, from its debut in 1952 to the present day.

Curated by fashion experts Alexandre Samson and Anders Christian Madsen, the volume opens with a fascinating historical contribution that introduces fashion enthusiasts to the vision of the brand’s founder Hubert de Givenchy, who always asserted that “the shortest path to elegance is simplicity”, and this mantra continues to permeate every page of the book.

Organized chronologically, the 180 collections presented in the book narrate the captivating story of the Maison, ushering in each new era with a brief summary and the biographies of the creatives who shaped Givenchy’s aesthetic. From Hubert de Givenchy’s early steps to the creative direction of talents like John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien McDonald, Riccardo Tisci, Clare Waight Keller, to the current vision of Matthew M. Williams, the book offers a timeless journey through seven decades of iconic fashion house.

Accompanying Individual collections are some short texts that unveil inspirations, highlights, and details behind each created masterpiece. With over 1200 carefully selected runway photos, readers have the precious opportunity to immerse themselves in the visual mastery that has made Givenchy a benchmark in high fashion. The book also features interviews and quotes from the designers who have shaped the brand over the years. From the words of Hubert de Givenchy, who embodied effortless elegance, to the current philosophy of Matthew M. Williams, seeing fashion as an expression of personality, each creative director has contributed to defining Givenchy’s distinctive identity.

“Givenchy Sfilate” is not just a monograph; it is an opportunity to explore the creative evolution of the Maison and the artists who have guided it through successes, challenges, and innovations. As Alexandre Samson emphasizes, the book attests to an extraordinary level of inventiveness and luxury, maintaining a unique balance between commercial proposals and spectacularism.

In a digital age where fashion evolves rapidly, “Givenchy Sfilate” stands as a tangible testament to the artistic mastery that has withstood the test of time. This book is not only a tribute to past collections, but also an inspiration for future generations – an authentic bible for fashion enthusiasts who wish to trace the trajectories of an icon that has defied time. With the heart of Givenchy beating in tune with the times, this book, available from the 17th November, promises to be an indulgent read for all those who appreciate the timeless art and elegance of fashion.