Gen D: A Cultural Exchange by Dolce & Gabbana.

The Fiosa Vase by Bradley Bowers was inspired by the luxury of traditional Venetian glasswork. The designer worked with 6AM glass to create a series of hand-cast and polished prisms that Fiosa was comprised of.

‘Raytoid From Arcturus’ by Lebenese designers Sayar & Garibeh is produced using jewelry making techniques—from lost wax process to enameling.

Rio Kobayashi’s ‘Shima Uma’ dresser. Named after the Japanese word for zebra, the piece is a melting pot of influences, reflecting his Austrian and Japanese duality.

The ‘Palavar Garden’ installation by Malacou Lefebvre of Atelier Malak. Based in Lyon, Malacou specialises in metal carpentry.

Dolce & Gabbana recently unveiled Gen D (Generation Designers), a designer residency project that connected the legacy fashion brand with emerging talent in what was more than a show but rather a cultural exchange. A brainchild of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, this fascinating furniture design project reinforced Dolce & Gabbana’s commitment to forward-thinking creativity.

Curated by Federica Sala, ten international designers grappled with Italian artisanal crafts in a fiery blend of colours and ironic elegance. Antonio Aricò, Sayar & Garibeh, Rio Kobayashi, Atelier Malak, Lucia Massari, Bradley Bowers, Ahryun Lee, Sara Ricciardi and Chris Wolston all contributed unique and refreshing designs conceived in total freedom.

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‘Flor de Una Noche’ by Chris Wolston. The American designer based in Medellin experimented with Murano Glass in this colourful chandelier sculpture.

Korean ceramicist Ahryun Lee with ‘Gioia in Sicilia’ (Joy in Sicily), a unique and exuberant ceramic sculptural candle holder collection.

Based in Munich, the project was inspired by her artist residence in Sicily in the spring of 2022.

Nick Wolston (left) & Bradley Bowers’ (above) mood boards.

Depending on their expertise and individual wishes, the designers could experiment with Murano blown glass, Sicilian ceramics, metal carpentry, cabinet-making, the craftsmanship of terracotta, wicker, fine wrought iron, metal castings and the very rare technique of metal enamelling.

The results are exceptionally complex and elaborate pieces, which often introduce innovative production techniques and have seen the designers experiment first-hand in the manual creation of the pieces. The final objects embody interpretations of key elements of the brand through their individual styles.

The project created cultural bridges that wink at how we live today, and that bring furnishings into our homes that could be considered jewels: triumphs of lemons and jewelled brooms, jubilations of souvenirs and cacti of light, sensory curtains and kaleidoscopic vases. More is more, and more to come.

A Playful Soul: Milan Studio of Furniture Designer Antonio Aricò.

Located in an old workshop in the north of Milan, this hybrid space is imagined as a showroom, studio and home...

Sara Ricciardi alongside ‘Luminaria’. The colourful curtain is a new interpretation of the typical wooden shades from Southern Italy, which light up with hues like the illuminations at traditional fairs.

‘Animalier’ by Lucia Massari is a new collection of Murano glass vases made in collaboration with Fornace Mian & Bibaco Bros.

The “yellow” terracotta watering can from Antonio Aricò’s ‘Limonaia’ Collection.

Antonio on his all-yellow Limonaia terrace.

An exhibition infused with Dolce&Gabbana’s DNA, Gen D was all about breaking boundaries and building bridges between cultures and blending the aesthetics of different worlds.

To explore more projects at the nexus of fashion and design, dive into our free publication MILANTRACE Digital 2023. Part Multimedia Magazine, part Video Documentary, this highly curated design resource and immersive experience offers a 360-degree look at the lasting impact of Milan Design Week and Salone Del Mobile.

EXPLORE MILANTRACE DIGITAL 2023

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[Images and video courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana.]