Villa Necchi Campiglio | Photography by Willem-Dirk du Toit
Andy Kelly
Gallerist at Oigåll Projects, Furniture Designer at Brud Studia
Favourite area?
Andy Kelly:
Porta Venezia—via Lecco. See you at the Sausage Club for a Skinny Bitch. Yes, that is an actual club.
Favourite hotel?
Andy Kelly: I have never stayed in a hotel in Milan. We always stay in an old run down city apartment that’s a cut up palazzo.
Where to for morning espresso?
Andy Kelly: Pasticceria Marchesi. Where else?
Historic building in Milan?
Andy Kelly: Villa Necchi. I like to walk around, touch everything and pretend I live there.
Place to take a moment from the chaos (gym, walk, park, spa)?
Andy Kelly: Grow up, there’s no time for that. You can do that at home.
Favourite gallery or museum?
Andy Kelly: I like the tour they give at the The Achille Castiglioni Studio Museum. When I went, the tour was run by his daughter.
Go-to aperitivo spot?
Andy Kelly: I’m obsessed with this nameless shithole in the middle of a traffic island. The toilet is so small I had to sit down to pee and my legs had to hang out the door. I couldn’t tell you where it is, but I could walk you to it.
Pasticceria Marchesi, Galleria Vittorio | Photography courtesy of Pasticceria Marchesi, Galleria Vittorio
Favourite restaurant?
Andy Kelly: Trattoria Milanese.
What are you most excited to see at Milan Design Week 2025?
Andy Kelly: Well, I’m skinny this year so I’m excited to see me in a singlet, but also prints. I am really excited by textiles again, so I am looking forward to seeing a return to Italian glamour with Missoni home, Pucci and Etro home.
Your favourite showroom or store?
Andy Kelly: When it comes to a store, I am going to be really naff and say Armani Casa. I know your eyes are rolling but what is more Italian? I also love what the brand does and it doesn’t get enough air time in my world.
A new brand that’s on your radar?
Andy Kelly: I don’t go to Milan for new brands. I go for big budget heritage inspiration. New brands are way better out of Melbourne. Milan isn’t that town for me.
Villa Bagatti Valsecchi for Alcova at Milan Design Week 2024 | Photography by Piergiorgio Sorgetti
Interior designer Simone Haag | Portrait by Sharyn Cairns
Simone Haag
Interior Designer
Favourite area?
Simone Haag: It’s a city that’s hard to play favourites with. I love exploring the centre of Milan and enjoy where one recommendation leads you to discover the next, and so forth. I rely heavily on asking the question wherever I am, “Where would you go next if you were me?” I enjoy where that takes me.
Via Durini has been a highlight as it’s where so much new product is unveiled each year.
Favourite hotel and place to take a moment from the chaos (gym, walk, park, spa)?
Simone Haag: The Excelsior Hotel Gallia and its Gallia Health Club. It offers a little retreat away after what we all know is a long day on your feet during Milan Design Week. I plan to stop by the Caudalie spa in Brera this year as well.
Where to for morning espresso?
Simone Haag: Luck had me stumble upon Serra di quartiere in Porta Venezia a few years ago, and it’s been on my mind to retrace my steps there again this year. That and Ditta Artigianale, which I am looking forward to trying on my way to Rossana Orlandi Gallery this year.
Historic building in Milan?
Simone Haag: An oldie but goodie; Villa Necchi Campiglio, located in the heart of the city, designed by Piero Portaluppi. Towards the end of a busy week of showrooms, galleries, installations and events during Milan Design Week, I love to wander the property as well as the leafy streets and peer through the wrought-iron gates at the beautiful gardens of the surrounding homes. Around the corner, Villa Invernizzi has a magical garden complete with the flamingos that are sometimes visible through their gates.
This year I’m keen to venture outside Milan to Inveruno, to take a look at some of the 1960s architecture by Mario Galvagni.
Villa Bagatti Valsecchi for Alcova at Milan Design Week 2024 | Photography by Piergiorgio Sorgetti
Artemest’s L’Appartamento showcases artisanal design in Milan’s historic Residenza Vignale | Photography by Tomaso Lisca and Luca Argenton
Favourite gallery or museum?
Simone Haag: I haven’t spent much time being a tourist in Milan as it’s such a busy week, however both the architecture and exhibitions at Fondazione Prada have been memorable moments for me. Nilufar Gallery and Depot were also a highlight of a past trip. Nina Yashar has an incredible collection of unique new and vintage pieces.
Go-to aperitivo spot?
Simone Haag: The terrace of Mediterranea where you can watch the sunset over the Duomo and enjoy an aperitif is a favourite.
Also, N’Ombra de Vin in Brera; a historic wine bar with an excellent selection of wines.
Favourite restaurant?
Simone Haag: Sogni has an authentic Milanese vibe. Also, Da Giacomo has fabulous food and wine and is one of my favourite spots. It has opened several new locations recently.
What are you most excited to see at Milan Design Week 2025?
Simone Haag: This year, alongside some incredible international design studios, I have been invited to transform a room celebrating the uniqueness of Italian craftsmanship in collaboration with Artemest for their prestigious third edition of L’Appartamento. Having worked on the installation for some time, we can’t wait to see it come together for Artemest’s 10th anniversary in their new location at Palazzo Donizetti; a 19th-century architectural masterpiece located in Via Gaetano Donizetti 48.
I’m also excited to see what is on show at Alcova—an installation that never disappoints.
Your favourite showroom or store, and a new brand that’s on your radar?
Simone Haag: Leonardo Dainelli’s new personal range ‘Atelier’. I also always love to meet with Hannes Peer, and look forward to seeing where Palma goes in 2025. But more than anything, I love seeing my fellow Australian design friends take to Milan.
12 Chairs For Meditation by Andres Reisinger was the central installation at Nilufar Depot for MDW2024 | Photography courtesy of Nilufar Gallery
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe
Hub General Store and The Front Room Founder | Molteni&C Melbourne Flagship Principal
Favourite area?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: I don’t usually miss visiting the Triennale Milano. I always love lunch in the courtyard of the Rosanna Orlandi Gallery and a visit to the bookshop at 10 Corso Como usually creates weight issues on my flight home!
Favourite hotel?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: I’ve stayed in many but I recall staying at The Bvlgari Hotel for one night about 15 years ago. I felt like I had hit the jackpot at a time when I was only able to afford one star hotels that were charging five star rates. I’ve had a lovely stay at Hotel Vue with a wonderful rooftop and Giulia Hotel, but I would recommend the Four Seasons for the lobby and spa.
Where to for morning espresso?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: This is Italy! Pick any little bar, pay next to nothing and be sure it will be a great espresso or “cappucio”. It’s foolproof. You can’t go wrong and because I stay all over the city, it changes from year to year.
Historic building in Milan?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: I adore the peace and quiet of the Biblioteca Nazionale at Pinacoteca Di Brera but it’s a rare chance to get there.
Villa Necchi. If you haven’t, you must.
Favourite gallery or museum?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: I’ve filled my cup over the years at the Compasso D’oro exhibition, the Achille Castiglioni Studio Museum and the art galleries. The Fondazione Prada still stands out—thanks Wes Anderson for the cafe—as does Pirelli Hangar Bicocca.
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe
Villa Bagatti Valsecchi for Alcova at Milan Design Week 2024 | Photography by Piergiorgio Sorgetti
Favourite restaurant and go-to aperitivo spot?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: I look forward to the private dinners with friends most. Letting go of some brands a few years ago was hard, but the enduring friendships and home cooked meals are what actually matter. The most memorable would have to be the dinners with Alberto Zontone and Patricia Urquiola. Their home is always a warm and welcoming place. Amongst the pressure of what must be an intense week, they manage to not only be relaxed but they pull together friends and a dinner that’s funny and full of lively conversation. It’s inspiring to see them navigate design week like it’s any other week. They are truly remarkable.
What are you most excited to see at Milan Design Week?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: See where Alcova lands with four venues this year.
Your favourite showroom or store?
Jacqueline Foti-Lowe: I’m lucky to be biased when the offering is Vincent Van Duysen’s seven-storey Palazzo Molteni, which opened only a few weeks ago on via Manzoni, a short walk from the Duomo.
I always try to stop by Time & Style, a Japanese company in Milan, to pick up some crockery.
Villa Necchi Campiglio | Photography by Willem-Dirk du Toit
Fondazione Prada | Photography by Willem-Dirk du Toit
Fondazione Prada | Photography by Willem-Dirk du Toit