IL Lusso in Italy: Salone 2025

A Journey of Craft, Culture & Connection

Earlier in April, our founders embarked on a design pilgrimage through Italy, revisiting key partners and discovering future icons at Milan Design Week / Salone del Mobile 2025. From private visits at artisan studios to exclusive previews at some of the most respected showrooms in design, this journey reaffirms IL Lusso’s dedication to curating only the finest pieces for our South African audience. Below, a look at some of the standout moments from the trip.

Bergamo Beginnings

Pinetti – A family-run legacy of refined leather craftsmanship.

Our Italian journey began in Bergamo at Pinetti’s headquarters, where family, tradition and innovation meet. From bespoke trays to luxury desk accessories, every piece is made with architectural precision and quiet refinement. It’s here that we reconnected with the family behind the brand and previewed some of their latest pieces, each one telling a story of exceptional Italian craftsmanship. Below are Alberto and Ezia Pinetti.

Craft & Culture

Ciclotte – Redefining wellness with sculptural fitness.

A standout moment from our journey was meeting the founder of Ciclotte. With its iconic silhouette and engineering finesse, Ciclotte reimagines fitness as a lifestyle statement. Sculptural, dynamic, and built for spaces where design matters, this is performance with presence.

Arclinea – Kitchen design rooted in Italian heritage and family.

Visiting the Arclinea production facility offered a powerful reminder of what sets this brand apart. With deep roots in family tradition and a steadfast commitment to innovation, Arclinea blends form, function, and purpose into every detail. From refined finishes to their client-centred philosophy, the experience reaffirmed a core belief: the kitchen isn’t an ordinary space, it’s the soul of the home.

UnoxCasa – AI-enhanced ovens designed by chefs, for chefs.

One of the most interesting stops on our journey was a visit to UnoxCasa, where we experienced firsthand how advanced technology is redefining the modern kitchen. Born from the professional culinary world, UnoxCasa brings chef-level precision into residential homes. With artificial intelligence features and sleek Italian design, these ovens elevate performance without compromising on aesthetics.

Henge – Where artisanship becomes sculpture.

Visiting the Henge production facility was a masterclass in dedication. Every piece begins and ends with the hands of an artisan, shaping wood, layering veneers, bending metal, polishing stone, and cutting glass with meticulous precision. What we witnessed was not typical manufacturing; it was a meticulous craft, where each piece is made individually with unwavering attention to detail. The outcome is furniture that shapes its surroundings with presence and intent.

Italian Moments

Hotel stays, a Sunday market, prosecco tastings and Lake Garda

Between design houses and showrooms, we took a moment to embrace Italy’s slower rhythms. A Sunday market full of character, organic Prosecco tasting at a local farm, and a detour through the boutiques of Lake Garda reminded us that lifestyle is as much about everyday moments as it is about statement pieces.

Workshops

Venicem – The magic of molten glass and living traditions.

A visit to Venicem revealed the poetry of process. Here, glass is shaped not just by fire and breath, but by heritage. We were taken in by the delicate balance between innovation and ancient tradition, every piece a fusion of light, transparency, and craftsmanship. We saw their historic moulds made of special wood that can endure heat. These moulds are kept in very special conditions to keep them moist.

ADL – An Architectural Pause: Discovering ADL

During our travels, we made a stop at ADL, an architectural brand pushing the boundaries of spatial design. Known for their innovative internal door systems, ADL transforms how spaces interact, not just dividing rooms but defining them. Their solutions explore transparency, fluidity, and light, combining precision engineering with refined aesthetics.

Bosa Ceramics – A countryside studio where art takes form.

Tucked in the countryside of Veneto, we visited the Bosa ceramics studio, a place where tradition meets imagination. Their handcrafted creations reflect a joyful rebellion against the ordinary. We witnessed artisans at work, shaping and glazing pieces with the same passion that defines Italy’s finest craft traditions.

MILAN DESIGN WEEK: Salone Highlights

Flexform – Outdoor living reimagined.

At the Flexform flagship in Milan, we previewed their breathtaking outdoor collection. From the sculptural new Camelot sofa to the beautifully executed Oasis and Torcello pieces, each setting was an invitation to live effortlessly, whether indoors or out. Meeting with Valentina Marelli, we left with a renewed admiration for their quiet elegance and timeless restraint.

Henge – Sculptural lighting, architectural forms, and a visit to the showroom and party.

In a showroom filled with raw materials and sculptural light, Henge’s 2025 collection was a tribute to material mastery. From burnished metals to expressive stones, each piece was created with the rhythm of the artisan’s hand. The evening closed with a celebration, an intimate gathering where we connected with the owner and shared a toast to craftsmanship that transcends trend.

Paola Lenti – Vibrant colours, joyful textures, and a dedicated kids’ collection.

In the garden-like atmosphere of their Milan showroom, Paola Lenti unveiled a vibrant kids’ collection that playfully balanced colour, function, and innovation. Highlights included the Otto seat, Zoe poufs, and Kabà mini-loungers. proof that design can be joyful without losing its sense of refinement.

Seletti – Playful luxury and tradition through Kintsugi-inspired design.

Seletti’s installation offered a lighter, more irreverent take on design. With its signature humour and cultural mashups, the collection drew on the Japanese art of Kintsugi, turning fractures into features. It was a playful reminder that design can be both chic and unexpected.

Giorgetti x Maserati – Collaboration spotlight

At Giorgetti, we experienced the new Maserati Edition—an elegant fusion of performance and style. From sinuous lounge chairs to sculptural furnishings named after mythical sea winds, each piece captured the energy of two iconic Italian houses. Spending time with long-standing team members Federico and Cristina, we were reminded how heritage fuels innovation.

Culti Milano – Fragrance that tells a story.

Culti’s aromatic new launches were presented in their refined showroom, a space filled with warmth and understated elegance.

Exteta – Riva and Loro Piana collaboration take outdoor design to new levels.

At Exteta, we previewed their ongoing collaborations with Riva and Loro Piana, where nautical heritage and textile artistry come together in flawless outdoor experiences.

Hermelin – Pool tables as you’ve never seen them: luxury with a champion’s edge.

Hermelin pushed the boundaries of what a pool table can be. Designed for professional tournaments yet executed in high-end materials, their pieces reimagined sport as sculpture; elegance, precision, and performance all in one frame. Guided by the owner himself, Stefano Signorelli, we experienced Hermelin’s iconic designs and manufacturing process.

Final Design Encounters 

Pinetti – Everyday Rituals, Reimagined

At Salone del Mobile 2025, Pinetti presented a collection that reaffirmed their philosophy: functional objects can be beautiful, and beauty can be lived with daily. Known for their meticulous leather craftsmanship, the new pieces reflected quiet sophistication: each accessory thoughtfully designed to uplift the everyday. From desk items to home accents, Pinetti’s stand celebrated timeless elegance rooted in Italian savoir-faire, proving that luxury lives in the details.

Flos – Paper-like lighting, minimalist mastery.

Our journey with Flos began at Euroluce, where their latest lighting collections revealed a poetic interplay of material and form. Sculptural pendants, fabric-like diffusions, and paper-inspired textures explored the boundaries of light and space. We concluded our visit at the Flos showroom in Milan, where legacy designs and new innovations coexisted in quiet conversation, an inspiring final chapter to our design-filled tour.

Salone Day 3: B&B Italia, Maxalto, Secto Design, Vispring – Craft Beyond Categories

Our final stops reinforced a belief central to IL Lusso: true luxury is rooted in craftsmanship. At B&B Italia, the queue to view their new collection was the longest we’ve ever seen — a testament to the brand’s enduring influence. Nearby, Maxalto impressed with its refined cabinetry, Secto transfixed with its sculptural wood lighting, and Vispring reminded us of the quiet power of handmade tradition. Each experience was a fitting conclusion to a journey defined by integrity, innovation, and timeless design.

Arclinea (Salone Edition) – Kitchen Theatre at Its Finest

Back at Arclinea, the Salone showcase celebrated 100 years of design innovation. The installation highlighted Arclinea’s mastery in transforming kitchens into spaces of performance and ritual, where craftsmanship and functionality come together with quiet confidence.

Baxter – Emotion, leather, and bold colour in full expression.

Baxter’s display was unapologetically expressive. Leather, marble, and saturated tones collided in a sensory celebration of design that was both emotive and elevated. The stand pulsed with personality, making it a standout moment of Milan Design Week.

Venicem – The poetry of glass, light, and material mastery.

Our visit to Venicem’s Milan showroom was a study in refinement. Hand-blown Murano glass met precision metalwork in sculptural lighting pieces that felt both timeless and avant-garde. The space was quietly powerful, an ode to Venetian craftsmanship reimagined for contemporary living.

Neutra – Monumental marble, shaped by hand.

At Neutra, scale and texture took centre stage. Their masterful use of marble and natural stone redefined what luxury means in a modern context. From fluid forms to raw edges, each piece felt like a quiet monument.

Vispring (Final Visit) – One last moment of luxury and calm.

Before heading home, we made one last stop at Vispring. There, surrounded by softness and hand-tufted detail, we were reminded of the value of rest, and the craftsmanship that makes it possible.

Final views of Milan at the Milano Malpensa Airport before our flight home.

Our Italian journey wasn’t about discovering newness for novelty’s sake—it was about deepening relationships, reaffirming shared values, and returning inspired. From private studio visits to the dynamic energy of Salone, every moment reminded us of why we do what we do. To bring craftsmanship home. To curate excellence. To tell stories that last.

Thank you for joining us.

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