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Design Luminaries Gather at Ralph Lauren’s Palazzo During Salone del Mobile
Last Wednesday evening, a gathering of prominent figures in the design community took place at Palazzo Ralph Lauren in Milan, coinciding with the city’s renowned Salone del Mobile furniture fair. The intimate dinner hosted by AD global editorial director Amy Astley and David Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s chief branding and innovation officer, welcomed around sixty distinguished guests. Among those present were notable AD100 designers such as Robert Stilin, Laura Gonzalez, and Sheila Bridges, alongside heads of editorial content from AD’s international editions in France, Spain, Italy, China, and Germany. The midcentury Rationalist-style venue showcased a preview of Ralph Lauren Home’s upcoming fall 2025 collections.
The courtyard tables were beautifully adorned with fabric from the upcoming Canyon Road collection, reflecting an aesthetic inspired by the American West.
Each place setting featured elegant Ethan wine glasses, Wentworth silverware, Kenmore dinner napkins, and Everett dinnerware, all part of this anticipated collection.
During the evening, David Lauren emphasized the significance of the Salone del Mobile, stating, “When I tell people about Salone del Mobile they think it’s some kind of trade show. I tell them no, this is a meeting of some of the greatest talents in the world.” His remarks were made amidst a delightful menu that included Ralph-approved Santa Barbara salads and tuna tartare.
The dinner conversation was lively and varied, touching on topics such as opera set designs, accolades from the Cooper Hewitt, and installations at the Louvre, along with numerous upcoming residential projects. The designers engaged in friendly banter, noting Dimorestudio’s pivotal role in shaping Milan’s creative scene through their extensive contributions to hotels, restaurants, and shops throughout the city. While some guests, like newly inducted AD100 designer Lily Dierkes, were experiencing their first Salone, others brought decades of expertise. Discussions included whether Alcova was worth the trip to Villa Borsani and the atmosphere at the recently opened Fabrizio Casiraghi-designed members club, The Wilde. One universal consensus emerged: Ralph’s perfectly crispy matchstick skinny French fries were a highlight for everyone.
Attendees showcased their interpretation of Americana through their attire, ranging from classic preppy looks to striking blue suede fringe, with one standout cowboy hat worn by Belgian designer Job Smeets of Studio Job. This fittingly complemented the lush, orchid-laden tables that highlighted the fall 2025 Canyon Road collection. Unique pewter vases and votives designed in collaboration with artists Naiomi and Tyler Glasses, Ralph Lauren Home’s inaugural artists in residence, featured motifs commonly found in Navajo weaving. The tablecloths, crafted from Mesa Stripe fabric, were inspired by a design originally conceived by Tyler Glasses for a saddle blanket. AD100 architect David Rockwell took particular note of the matte white Everett dinnerware, which mimicked the texture of nubby linen and will also debut in the Canyon Road collection this fall.
As the evening progressed and a tiered platter of miniature cakes made its way to the table, guests solidified new relationships, exchanged business insights, and discussed potential collaborations. New York-based designer Monique Gibson humorously suggested that she and Dimorestudio’s Britt Moran, despite just meeting, might even consider marrying in the courtyard. In the midst of one of the industry’s busiest weeks, attendees had certainly embraced the spirit of Lauren’s advice to “learn from each other, teach each other, and hear each other.”
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www.architecturaldigest.com