Some 64 years on, Milan Design Week is still turning heads.

Milan Design Week has long been a platform for the avant-garde. This year, amid a kaleidoscope of cutting-edge concepts and artistic installations, five chairs emerged as icons of creativity, craftsmanship, and contemporary relevance.

From Charlotte Perriand’s timeless classics to block-composed designs and sustainably crafted organic beauty, these pieces didn’t just invite you to sit—they challenged conventions, told stories, and redefined the possibilities of functional art. Here’s a closer look at the standout seating that elevated this year’s event.

1. La Banquette de la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur du Japon à Paris (1967) – Charlotte Perriand x Saint Laurent

Few designers have shaped modern furniture design like Charlotte Perriand, and her work remains as relevant now as it was in the mid-20th century. In collaboration with Saint Laurent, Perriand’s La Banquette de la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur du Japon à Paris (1967) was brought to life at Salone del Mobile as part of a collection of previously unseen designs.  

Originally created for the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Paris, this five-seater sofa is a triumph of balance and proportion. Its seven-meter-long rosewood base, curved elegantly at both ends, gives a sense of weightlessness despite its monumental presence. Cane accents and Jim Thompson Thai silk upholstery lend a richness to the design, while its limited-edition reproduction ensures this piece remains a rare and coveted collectible.  

2. Anima Armchair – Behind Studio

Behind Studio’s Anima armchair brought a sense of surrealism and poetry to Milan Design Week. Inspired by organic shapes found in nature, the chair’s contours evoke rolling hills, abstract landscapes, or even the symbolic curves of lips. Its dreamlike quality blurs the line between functional furniture and sculptural art.  

Handmade in London with an impressive zero-carbon footprint, the Anima armchair is crafted from sustainable materials, including alpaca wool, horsehair, and vanadium steel. Collaborating with Maison Phelippeau, a French upholstery atelier renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship, Behind Studio has created a piece where form and sustainability coexist in perfect harmony. Limited to just eight editions, this chair is as much a collector’s item as it is a design statement.  

3. Tetra Lounge Chair – AATISMO

The Tetra lounge chair by Tokyo-based collective AATISMO turned heads with its minimalist yet deeply conceptual design. Part of the studio’s Form of Existence collection, the chair is composed of four distinct units that rely on one another for stability. Individually, the pieces stand incomplete; together, they form a cohesive and functional whole.  

This intricate interplay between independence and interdependence transforms the chair into an architectural metaphor for human connection. The sleek geometry and clean lines make it a natural fit for modern interiors, while its philosophical underpinnings elevate it beyond mere furniture. With Tetra, AATISMO delivers a masterclass in how form, function, and meaning can converge.  

4. Manifestation Chair – Roham Shamekh 

Dubai-based designer Roham Shamekh made a striking debut at Milan Design Week 2025 with the Manifestation Chair in Gold Bronze, part of Pharrell’s Echoes collection. As the centerpiece of the Deoron Elevating Objects exhibition in Porta Venezia, the chair captivated audiences with its luminous finish and sculptural cherubim, reimagined through Pharrell’s playful lens.  

These cherubim symbolize unseen forces guiding us, turning the chair into a meditation on synchronicity and interconnectedness. Shamekh’s personal connection to Pharrell—whose music influenced his creative journey—adds another layer to the piece’s narrative of hidden influences and manifesting dreams.  

5. Loulou Rock Rocking Chair – David Nicolas x Gallotti&Radic

David Nicolas reimagines the traditional rocking chair with the Loulou Rock rocking chair for Gallotti&Radice. A masterful blend of comfort and sophistication, this piece is defined by its bold, roll-shaped backrest and streamlined silhouette.  

The matte black metal frame—with brass accents—adds a touch of industrial chic, while solid wood armrests and leather upholstery emphasize durability and luxury. The Loulou Rock is not merely a functional piece—it’s a work of art that can anchor any space, whether it’s a quiet reading nook or a high-end living room. Its combination of ergonomic innovation and aesthetic refinement positions it as a standout in contemporary furniture design.