The design strategist and curator Ambra Medda is extensively considered 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 steer the honest in its formative interval. Since then, she has collaborated with a number of the most influential names within the business — together with the London Design Museum and Christie’s — co-founded the net market L’ArcoBaleno, and curated or suggested on initiatives throughout the globe.
This yr’s Milan Design Week marks a turning level for the business veteran. Following a transfer to Milan from her longtime base in London, she is opening a brand new inventive house for her curatorial studio AMO, which is able to host its inaugural exhibition in the course of 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 business, 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 comparable to London, New York and Miami. How does it really feel to be dwelling and dealing right here once more?
Ambra Medda: In reality, I really feel a bit nostalgic for the outdated, sleepy Milan. Nevertheless it additionally feels very proper to be dwelling and dealing right here once more, at a second when town is buzzing with new folks and concepts, each homegrown and from overseas. I really 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*: While 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 Cellular is debuting a devoted part, Salone Raritas. What does that say concerning the place of collectible design right now?
AM: I’d say it has earned its rightful place!
W*: You’re opening the brand new headquarters on 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 crushed path. Guests can anticipate a mash-up of positive artwork, people artwork, craft and design. We hope folks 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 deliver 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 lightweight on modern Chinese language voices in design and craft. I used to be born in Greece and really feel that younger expertise from that area can also be underrepresented on a worldwide stage. That was the seed of the concept.
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 now we have lengthy admired her observe. We found Yumo by way of Rufus Seagrim, a pal who studied with him at Central Saint Martins.
(Picture credit score: Natalia Ruhe)
W*: You’ve mentioned that the AMO house will turn into an ‘atmosphere for cultural trade and experimentation’. What are your plans for the house after design week ends?
AM: We’ll host residencies, workshops and different activations that replicate our standpoint on what it means to reside effectively in these occasions — from dumpling events to reiki. Past our ongoing dedication to celebrating craft and design expertise, we need to be a spot of trade and human connection.
W*: What are you most trying ahead to seeing throughout Milan Design Week this yr?
AM: We initiated two new inventive collaborations this yr: ‘Perpetually 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. It will likely be immensely rewarding to see these come to life. In any other case, I’m additionally trying 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
Through Nullo, 6, 20129, Milan
Monday 20-Friday 24 April, 10:00 am-6:00 pm
