Alcova 2025: Highlights from Milan Design Week

Alcova 2025 ran from April 7 to 13 across four locations in Varedo, Brianza, and Milan, including the SNIA former factory, Villa Borsani, Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, and the Serre di Pasino. The event faced pre-opening controversies over ticketing at Villa Borsani and a dispute with the Macao social center collective regarding the use of a building in viale Molise 68. Despite these issues, the fair showcased international design with a focus on research and collectible pieces. Highlights included Marcin Rusak's 'Ghost Orchids'—3D-printed bioplastic sculptures derived from scans of orchids, designed to decompose slowly; Fornace Sant'Anselmo's 'Terraformae' projects, including Simon Chaouat's 'Eroded' bricks treated with water; Ranieri's collaboration with artist Quayola, musician Rodrigo d'Erasmo, and designers Francesco Meda and David Lopez Quincoces featuring algorithmically eroded lava stone; Warm Weekend's inflatable hammam by two French designers; Belgium is Design's textile collective using natural and recycled materials; Guatemala diseña con las manos showcasing 14 local design studios working with artisans using ancestral weaving techniques; and Michael Anastassiades' ceramic vases for Monstruous inspired by Greek amphorae. Additionally, the independent off-site exhibition 'brutal' curated by FORO Studio featured emerging designers exploring Brutalist heritage, including Thibault Philip's lamps made from pig intestines.