FENDI DESIGN PRIZE
Designing the next chapter of luxury: the Product Design department shines at the FENDI Design Prize.
An international platform exploring the relationship between luxury craftsmanship, material heritage, and contemporary product design.
FENDI DESIGN PRIZE: A NEW VISION OF LUXURY THROUGH CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
Created in collaboration with Fendi Casa, the Fendi Design Prize invites emerging designers from Istituto Marangoni Milano Design to reinterpret the brand’s heritage through furniture, collectible design and contemporary object-making. The competition challenges students to translate fashion codes into design proposals, connecting creative research with the standards, language and expectations of the luxury interiors industry.
The prize is evaluated by a distinguished jury curated by Giulio Cappellini and composed of leading international voices in design: Cristina Celestino, Joseph Grima, Neri & Hu, Rossana Orlandi, Josh Owen and Patricia Urquiola. Projects are assessed for innovation, craftsmanship, material sensitivity and their ability to express a coherent understanding of Fendi Casa’s identity.
For students, the Fendi Design Prize is more than a symbolic recognition. It offers international visibility, direct dialogue with the luxury design sector and the opportunity to present their work within major global design platforms, including Design Miami.
Commenting on the achievement, Lorenzo Butillos, Product Design Programme Leader at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, said: “At Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, talent is not only nurtured; it is challenged. Every brief, project and collaboration with leading Italian design brands is designed to prepare students for the highest standards of the industry.”
The recognition awarded to Gustav Craft confirms the value of this educational approach, where classroom experimentation can evolve into professional opportunities and contribute to the international conversation around luxury design.
Congratulations to Gustav Craft on this outstanding achievement.
VIA by Gustav Craft (Sweden)
Developed within the Product Design programme at Istituto Marangoni Milano Design, “VIA” by Gustav Craft won the inaugural Fendi Design Prize 2026, created in collaboration with Fendi Casa.
The project takes inspiration from Rome’s historic sampietrino stones, translating the city’s material memory, architectural rhythm and cultural heritage into a collection of sculptural furniture pieces. Through a woven leather seat that recalls the geometry of Roman streets, a textured rug and a basalt-based mirror, “VIA” reinterprets urban fragments as contemporary design objects.
Combining raw materials, structural rigour and refined craftsmanship, the project explores how historical references can become a new design language for luxury interiors. Its strength lies in the balance between academic experimentation and professional standards, showing how student research can evolve into a project with relevance for the international collectible design scene.
By connecting Rome’s heritage with Fendi Casa’s identity, “VIA” reflects Gustav Craft’s ability to transform place, memory and material culture into a contemporary product design vision.
