Experience The Best Of Italian Design At Bloomingdale’s

No need to purchase a ticket to Milan to indulge in stellar Italian design! Throughout September, Salone del Mobile.Milano and the Bloomingdale’s New York flagship are teaming up to showcase 23 made-in-Italy brands alongside a packed schedule of design talks. Curated by Ferruccio Laviani, the installation “Italian Design: from Classic to Contemporary” features an ethereal display that draws inspiration from the imagery and works of Giorgio de Chirico, Mario Ceroli, and Achille Castiglioni.

“We are happy to return to New York as the first stop on a new journey that will take us all over the world to present the Salone del Mobile.Milano as the event that enhances the quality, heritage, vision and passion of Italian design companies and all our exhibitors,” shares Maria Porro, president of Salone del Mobile, who adds that Laviani’s installation fuses “art, furniture, and theater engage in a dialogue that opens up new ways of understanding our industry.”

“Italian Design: from Classic to Contemporary” on display at Bloomingdale’s in New York.

Located in Bloomingdale’s sixth-floor Home/Furnishing department, the installation invites viewers to experience each furnishing on a pedestal of sorts—quite literally—made of wood. Brands on display include Artemide, Foscarini, Living Divani, Minotti, Molteni&C, and many more standouts. Kevin Harter, VP integrated marketing, Bloomingdale’s shares that the collaboration with Salone del Mobile.Milano offers a unique opportunity to engage with customers. “Salone del Mobile is a remarkable embodiment of Italian culture and a cornerstone of the design world,” he says. “The site-specific installation at 59th Street pays tribute to Italian craftsmanship and its ability to unite influential voices within the space, completing our fall campaign concept From Italy, with Love.”

Italian design is synonymous with timelessness and craftsmanship, adds Kelley Carter, home fashion director, Bloomingdales. “It embodies a sensual elegance that transcends trends. Even when the designs are bold, they can still have a subtle feel,” she says. “The aesthetics rooted in Italian design keep inspiring us blending innovation with tradition and functionality seamlessly.”

Up next, Salone del Mobile.Milano plans to continue worldly travels with an installation planned in Shanghai during Art Week as well as a stop in Hong Kong to present the SaloneSatellite collection.

Read on to learn more about the making of “Italian Design: from Classic to Contemporary,” with insights from Laviani and Porro.

Behind The Scenes: Salone Del Mobile.Milano x Bloomingdale’s 

A window display hints at the Salone del Mobile.Milano installation, which can be found on the sixth floor in the Bloomingdale’s flagship.

Interior Design: How did you arrive at the design vision for this exhibition?

Ferruccio Laviani: The design vision for this exhibition emerged from a deep appreciation for the metaphysical art of Giorgio De Chirico and the transformative power of Italian scenography. I was particularly inspired by De Chirico’s enigmatic piazzas, which, while quintessentially Italian, evoke a timeless and universal atmosphere. By translating the architectural forms of these piazzas into wooden screens, I sought to create a stage that echoes the haunting yet captivating emptiness of De Chirico’s work. Mario Ceroli’s wooden sculptures also were a source of inspiration and from where the idea of making bi-dimensional, De Chirico paintings in these two-dimensional screens came from. Additionally, I wanted to pay homage to the Italian theatrical tradition, particularly the work of Luca Ronconi, whose visionary set designs have always fascinated me. This fusion of art, design, and theater I think provided rich, multifaceted visuals for this exhibition.

ID: In what ways does the scenographic display you created strengthen the narrative of the objects on view?

FL: The scenographic display is designed to serve as both a backdrop and a narrative device, transforming the exhibition space into an interesting perception that elevates the objects on view. By using the architectural motifs of De Chirico’s piazzas as screens, the display recontextualizes the design objects, placing them within a surreal, almost dreamlike environment. This setting encourages viewers to see these everyday objects as monuments in their own right, worthy of contemplation and admiration. The homage to Italian cultural icons such as Ronconi , Ceroli, or Castiglioni further enriches the narrative, connecting the contemporary designs to a broader historical and artistic context. 

“The design vision for this exhibition emerged from a deep appreciation for the metaphysical art of Giorgio De Chirico and the transformative power of Italian scenography,” shares Laviani.

ID: What materials and color palettes can viewers expect?

FL: Viewers can expect to encounter a carefully curated selection of materials and colors that reinforce the exhibition’s conceptual underpinnings. The primary material is wood, used in both the screens and the sculptures, echoing Mario Ceroli’s work and providing a tactile connection to the past. The color palette is deliberately restrained, with earthy tones that recall the muted hues of De Chirico’s piazzas. However, this subtlety is contrasted with vibrant, pop-inspired graphics that draw on the radical design movements of the 1960s and the psychedelic illustrations of Keiichi Tanaami and Heinz Edelmann. The juxtaposition of these sharp, modern graphics with the more traditional, monochromatic natural backdrops creates a dynamic visual tension that speaks to the fusion of old and new, tradition and innovation, that defines contemporary Italian design.

ID: Where did the idea to create an international tour of Salone del Mobile.Milano originate?

Maria Porro: Last year, we launched our international roadshow with an evening in Shanghai, followed by four European stops, to share the Salone del Mobile.Milano’s journey, achievements, and new projects for the 2024 edition. This year, we chose to begin in New York with the event at Bloomingdale’s, marking the start of a broader tour. In November, we will continue to Shanghai during Art Week, featuring a significant installation at the Orbit exhibition center in the West Bund by Heatherwick. From there, we will head to Hong Kong to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SaloneSatellite, the event dedicated to young talents that takes place at Salone del Mobile.Milano.

The idea of a worldwide tour embodies the essence of the Salone, which is not only the pinnacle of the design industry but also a pioneer in exploring new markets, a preferred meeting place for the design community, and an incubator of new talent through SaloneSatellite. With the involvement of various keynote speakers and ambassadors, these events will keep the dialogue alive year-round, offering fresh perspectives on a design world that caters to increasingly discerning international audiences.

We are kicking off this new international tour as a roadshow featuring original formats aimed at reinforcing the Salone’s image as a catalyst for transformation, cutting-edge trends, and cultural innovation.

Italian designs are displayed on raised wood platforms, creating an eye-catching display.

ID: What excites you most about collaborating with Bloomingdale’s for “From Italy, with Love”?

MP: First and foremost, there is a shared vision between Bloomingdale’s and Salone del Mobile.Milano, both iconic institutions that serve as reference points for quality, blending tradition with modernity. Additionally, Bloomingdale’s deep appreciation for Italy and its desire to celebrate and share the beauty of Italian culture with its customers further solidified this collaboration.

This partnership offers a unique opportunity to showcase Italian design excellence to a wider audience in the U.S., perfectly aligning with Salone del Mobile’s mission to promote the beauty, innovation, and cultural significance of Italian design on a global scale. By partnering with an iconic American retailer like Bloomingdale’s, Salone del Mobile can extend its influence and demonstrate how Italian creativity continues to lead contemporary design.

Moreover, this collaboration allows us to create a dynamic and engaging experience that merges Italian tradition with modern innovation, reinforcing Italy’s reputation as a design leader and fostering meaningful cross-cultural connections.

The Salone del Mobile.Milano x Bloomingdale’s installation runs through September 29.