by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab In his latest solo exhibition Italian photographer Davide Tranchina presents a cycle of new works that experiments with a different side of photography. Placing everyday objects on photographic paper, Tranchina scans and enlarges the negative shadows to create his large-scale black-and-white images. While...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Zaha Hadid, the new MAXXI (National Museum of the Arts of the 21st Century) is the newest astonishing piece of architecture in Rome. With a planned opening in spring 2010, it will house collections of contemporary art and architecture....

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Sartoria Vico joins together the worlds of fashion and product design with a small series of essentially functional clothes and accessories, focused more on use than aesthetic. The brand is one of the projects by the creative collective Dissociate, comprised of Benedetta de...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Borrowed from the 1968 revolutionary book—"The System of Objects"—written by sociologist Jean Baudrillard, Italian fashion label Il Sistema degli Oggetti conceptually links to the French master by creating fashion-forward clothing designed to last. The ambitious young designers aim to "create an encyclopedia of...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Jordanian designer Lama Hourani beautifully fuses together materials and gems, past icons and present styles, Middle Eastern tradition and European taste for an elegantly ornate collection of rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Lama has been designing and producing jewelry since 2000, opening her...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Despite Milan's de facto world design capital status, the city lacks design hotels. Boscolo Exedra, a new hotel opening very soon, will fill the gap. The former bank, after one year and €150 million in renovations, now hosts 154 rooms, nine thematic suites...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Founded a half-century ago, the international knitwear label Stefanel feted the accomplishment with a new collaborative collection. “We are a family—declares the CEO Giuseppe Stefanel—and we like nothing better than a family celebration.” The company presented the capsule line, designed by the London...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab CH recently had the rare chance to spend a day at Riva's befitting headquarters and boatyard in Sarnico, a small village in northern Italy on the shores of the beautiful Lake Iseo. (Click on images for enlarged view.) Steeped in history, the Riva...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab The Design Supermarket, a new floor entirely devoted to design in its multiple expressions, debuted recently as part of Milanese shopping icon La Rinascente's ongoing renovation. Over the past four years, international architects and designers such as Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Cibic & Partners,...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Pijama, a small company embodying the luxury trademark phrase "Made in Italy"—represents good design, deep research, fine materials and a handmade process. This time, rather than designating shoes or clothing with the highly-regarded label, instead it applies to a fashionable and sturdy...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab In Milan it's unusual to find "non-Milanese” design, meaning design that's not linear, clean or somehow a reinterpretation of classic pieces and brands. Decidedly untraditional, Wozzup Mutazionidinterni is the refreshing exception to this rule. Former set designer Luca Porcelli and Maurizio Duranti, an...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Currently exhibiting the powerful work of Simon Denny, in the scope of young Italian art galleries, T293 Gallery in Naples, is one of the most promising. Owners and curators Paola Guadagnino and Marco Altavilla constantly search for artists able to convey strong ideas,...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Walking a mile in martial arts master Bruce Lee's shoes is a dream likely to never happen, but thanks to French label Bagua we can at least put a little Kung-Fu feeling in our step. Based on the centuries-old iconic design of the...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Regenesi, a young Italian company founded by Maria Silvia Pazzi, aims to design, manufacture and market original objects produced from recycled materials. Focused on maintaining the same aesthetic and fine quality of Italian design but adding sustainability, Regenesi products are both physically and...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab One of the many projects capturing our attention as the Milanese Design Week kicks off is Camper's melding of footwear and industrial design. Directed by Hella Jongerius, one of today's most talented Dutch designers known for her products, furniture and textile design with...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Considered one of the most creative groups in the Netherlands today, Carmen Freudenthal and Elle Verhagen have been working as a photographic team since 1989, after studying at the renowned Gerrit Rietveld Art Academy in Amsterdam together and graduating respectively as photographer...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab The Triennale Design Museum in Milan is a dynamic museum, conceived to be renewed with different themes and offering visitors unusual views, standpoints and trails. After answering the question "what is Italian design?" with the exhibit "The Seven Obsessions Of Italian Design," the...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab The latest show at WOKstore, a space in Milan devoted to art and fashion, is dedicated to the French artist and illustrator Arnaud Loumeau. Born in Poitiers 30 years ago, he currently lives in Toulouse and is passionate about the Fluxus movement,...

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Maurizio Modica and Pierfrancesco Gigliotti, the guys behind the fanciful line Frankie Morello, don’t have any problem coming up with new ideas, which isn't surprising given their high level of creativity, as well as their interdisciplinary (and increasingly popular) approach to fashion....

by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab In recent years the term “luxury” has been abused and misused, making it often difficult to identify with certainty. Riva, an icon of style and opulence, with a long history of quality and excellence in the boat industry, leaves no question. Their new...