The design strategist and curator Ambra Medda is extensively thought to be a foundational determine within the collectible design scene. She co-founded Design Miami in 2005 and served as its director for six years, serving to to guide the truthful in its formative interval. Since then, she has collaborated with a few of the most influential names within the trade — together with the London Design Museum and Christie’s — co-founded the web market L’ArcoBaleno, and curated or suggested on tasks throughout the globe.
This yr’s Milan Design Week marks a turning level for the trade veteran. Following a transfer to Milan from her longtime base in London, she is opening a brand new inventive area for her curatorial studio AMO, which can host its inaugural exhibition through the week. Co-curated with design historian Amy Tai, the present brings collectively the ceramic work of Greek designer Leda Athanasopoulou and textiles by the Chinese language artist Yumo Yuan. Forward of the present, Wallpaper* caught up with Medda to debate the evolving trade, her newest ventures and Milan’s renewed attract.
Ambra Medda on Milan
(Picture credit score: Courtesy AMO)
Wallpaper*: You lived in Milan as a toddler, but have spent the previous a number of many years in cities resembling London, New York and Miami. How does it really feel to be dwelling and dealing right here once more?
Ambra Medda: In fact, I really feel a bit nostalgic for the previous, sleepy Milan. But it surely additionally feels very proper to be dwelling and dealing right here once more, at a second when the town is buzzing with new individuals and concepts, each homegrown and from overseas. I like being a part of a metropolis that’s altering and evolving at such pace, as I skilled in Miami again in 2005 and later, to a lesser diploma, in Berlin. It’s a privilege to take part in and contribute to the cultural panorama of a metropolis.
W*: Whenever you co-founded Design Miami in 2005, it was among the many first main occasions devoted to collectible design. Now, in 2026, even the Salone del Cell is debuting a devoted part, Salone Raritas. What does that say in regards to the place of collectible design in the present day?
AM: I’d say it has earned its rightful place!
W*: You’re opening the brand new headquarters in your curatorial studio, AMO, throughout Milan Design Week. What can guests anticipate to come across?
AM: It’s our sunny nook of Milan, a bit off the overwhelmed path. Guests can anticipate a mash-up of superb artwork, folks artwork, craft and design. We hope individuals go away feeling refreshed, impressed and optimistic.
Textiles by Yumo Yuan, a London-based silk weaver, initially from Northeast China. His work for this exhibition references classic textile fragments from each his and Athanasopoulou’s private archives, and combines the weaver’s cultural language with Greek symbolism
(Picture credit score: Natalia Ruhe)
W*: The exhibition, titled ‘Sail Away’, options the work of the Greek designer Leda Athanasopoulou and the Chinese language artist Yumo Yuan. Why did you select to convey these two practices collectively?
AM: ‘Sail Away’ is co-curated with Amy Tai. Amy’s household is Chinese language, and we’ve lengthy needed to shine a light-weight on up to date Chinese language voices in design and craft. I used to be born in Greece and really feel that younger expertise from that area can be underrepresented on a worldwide stage. That was the seed of the thought.
W*: How did you first come throughout their work?
AM: Leda and Amy first met years in the past whereas dwelling in New York, and we’ve got lengthy admired her follow. We found Yumo by means of Rufus Seagrim, a pal who studied with him at Central Saint Martins.
(Picture credit score: Natalia Ruhe)
W*: You’ve stated that the AMO area will turn out to be an ‘setting for cultural change and experimentation’. What are your plans for the area after design week ends?
AM: We’ll host residencies, workshops and different activations that replicate our standpoint on what it means to dwell nicely in these instances — from dumpling events to reiki. Past our ongoing dedication to celebrating craft and design expertise, we wish to be a spot of change and human connection.
W*: What are you most wanting ahead to seeing throughout Milan Design Week this yr?
AM: We initiated two new inventive collaborations this yr: ‘Ceaselessly Fornasetti. New Encounters’ with Tutto Bene and Fjura, in addition to the ‘Homage to the Sq.’ tile assortment by Mutina for The Josef & Anni Albers Basis. Will probably be immensely rewarding to see these come to life. In any other case, I’m additionally wanting ahead to the Uzbekistan craft presentation at Palazzo Citterio, the Barber Osgerby present on the Triennale, and Casa Milana’s collaboration with Beni Rugs.
AMO Presents: Sail Away
By way of Nullo, 6, 20129, Milan
Monday 20-Friday 24 April, 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Supply: Wallpaper
