We have acting global design director Hugo Macdonald to thank for first suggesting our momentous July 2025 cover story, on Milan Design Week. Our annual Design Directory issue traditionally documents the pieces that catch our eye as we travel around the vast halls of the Salone del Mobile, before venturing out into the city itself for an onslaught of activations, presentations and product launches. But what if, Hugo intuited, we were to take our audience on an up-close, all-quarters tour of these moments, shared through the lens of a brilliantly energetic and enterprising photographer? Inspired to find out, we tasked Julia Sellmann with shooting our first foray into a form of visual reportage that stands apart from the rapid-fire, real-time jostle of social media, celebrating the global design community in all its rich and, dare I say, romantic glory.
Meanwhile, our head of interiors Olly Mason has beautifully realised what’s currently cooking in the world of kitchens as spotted on her Salone wanderings.
During Milan Design Week 2025, our exhibition ‘Material Alchemists’, at the Triennale, celebrated young creatives with a talent for transforming matter
Highlighting our own contribution to Milan Design Week is ‘Material Alchemists’, our exhibition of 20 emerging designers and studios, made possible with the kind support of our friends at StoneX. Hosted once again at the Triennale, our annual survey of young creative talent focused on those capable of manipulating a host of materials until transformed into objects that steadfastly defy their often quotidian roots.
Elsewhere, we visit two wildly differing buildings that share a visionary sense of purpose – whether that’s wrestling the greatest amount of space from a small urban footprint in Accra or 3D-printing a house in concrete in Singapore – and we check into the latest city retreat from Aman Resorts, a heavenly addition to the Bangkok hospitality scene.
Mindful that all this rushing around can lead to a sense of ennui, we end by hymning the age-old comfort of lounging in a hammock. After all, sometimes it’s the simplest pleasures that bring the greatest reward.
Bill Prince
Editor-in-Chief
The July 2025 issue of Wallpaper* is available in print on newsstands from 5 June 2025, on the Wallpaper* app on Apple iOS, and to subscribers of Apple News +. Subscribe to Wallpaper* today
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Despite moments of beauty, the ‘Hot Milk’ film adaption drifts aimlessly‘Hot Milk’, adapted from Deborah Levy’s 2016 Booker-shortlisted novel, marks Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s directorial debut
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Aston Martin completes its first Tokyo townhouse, crafted by the brand’s design teamThis luxurious private house in Tokyo’s Omotesandō neighbourhood offers design and details shaped by Aston Martin, as well as features for the dedicated car collector
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Studiomama’s cast faces capture a sense of childlike joyMade in collaboration with one of London’s last traditional foundries, the studio’s ‘Face Castings’ series explores play, perception and the enduring influence of Bruno Munari
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20 emerging designers shine in our ‘Material Alchemists’ filmWallpaper’s ‘Material Alchemists’ exhibition during Milan Design Week 2025 spotlighted 20 emerging designers with a passion for transforming matter – see it now in our short film
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Tokyo design studio We+ transforms microalgae into coloursCould microalgae be the sustainable pigment of the future? A Japanese research project investigates
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Delvis (Un)Limited turns a Brera shopfront into a live-in design installationWhat happens when collectible design becomes part of a live performance? The Theatre of Things, curated by Joseph Grima and Valentina Ciuffi, invited designers to live with their work – and let the public look in
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Naoto Fukasawa sparks children’s imaginations with play sculpturesThe Japanese designer creates an intuitive series of bold play sculptures, designed to spark children’s desire to play without thinking
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Inside the Shakti Design Residency, taking Indian craftsmanship to Alcova 2025The new initiative pairs emerging talents with some of India’s most prestigious ateliers, resulting in intricately crafted designs, as seen at Alcova 2025 in Milan
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Faye Toogood comes up roses at Milan Design Week 2025Japanese ceramics specialist Noritake’s design collection blossoms with a bold floral series by Faye Toogood
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6:AM create a spellbinding Murano glass showcase in Milan’s abandoned public shower stallsWith its first solo exhibition, ‘Two-Fold Silence’, 6:AM unveils an enchanting Murano glass installation beneath Piscina Cozzi
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Dimoremilano and Loro Piana channel 1970s cinema in decadent Milan displayAt Milan Design Week 2025, Dimorestudio has directed and staged an immersive, film-inspired installation to present new furniture and decor for Loro Piana
