Colours and materials. What inspired the designers in Milan?

Škoda Auto made an impression at this year’s Milan Design Week with its own installation. However, the traditional design fair also served as an opportunity for the brand’s designers to gather inspiration and explore new trends. So, what caught their attention?

29. 4. 2025 eMobility

Škoda Auto designers brought along some fresh innovations to Milan Design Week – such as the Elroq RS SUV and a unique pair of sneakers created in collaboration with Botas. At the same time, they explored the exhibition of interior and furniture design to discover new possibilities for future projects. Sustainability played a key role in Milan, as described by designers Petra Debnárová, Lea Turzáková, and Stefan Webelhorst.

Petra Debnárová, for instance, was drawn to the Basic Village exhibition, where many designers showcased their work with materials. “It was really inspiring. I saw exhibits dealing with the transformation of waste into new products, the creation of biomaterials, or unusual combinations of materials resulting in entirely new impressions,” she said. Škoda Auto itself often experiments with such concepts in its design studies.

Inspiration of designer Petra Debnárová from the Basic Village exhibition.

Unexpected Uses

Lea Turzáková was particularly impressed by the Manifesto House installation from brands MUJI and Studio 5•5. “This peaceful, modular micro-house repurposes MUJI products in creative ways. The display emphasized the importance of upcycling and sustainable design,” she noted.

Manifesto House by the brands MUJI and Studio 5•5

The most powerful installation for Debnárová was Romantic Brutalism, featuring works mainly from Polish designers. “The installation primarily highlighted materials and their transformation into tangible objects. It was a beautiful fusion of romantic patterns, earthy colour palettes, and bold designs,” she described. Among her favorite pieces were the Flora Cabinet 190 Clear Amber by Marcin Rusak and the Aluminium Desk by Jan Ankiersztajn.

Turzáková most enjoyed the internet giant´s Google installation titled Making the Invisible Visible. “It was an immersive and peaceful experience. The display featured minimalist elements with a strong emotional and sensory impact,” she said, particularly drawn to a section inspired by natural elements and their ability to connect us with the world through tactile and visual impressions.

Presentation by Google titled Making the Invisible Visible.

A growing role for Colour

Stefan Webelhorst noticed several emerging colour trends. One standout was Bottega Green (Pantone 2426 C), a vibrant and intense hue popularized by Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta back in 2021. “It still holds power and represents a modern form of creative confidence,” said Webelhorst.

The iconic green color by Bottega Veneta.

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Petra Debnárová was impressed by the Colours of Capsule installation, which carried on the bold spirit of Bottega Green. “The exhibit showcased a vivid and innovative colour palette, highlighting bold, saturated tones like electric blue, vibrant orange, and deep magenta. These striking colours were paired with softer pastels and neutral tones,” she explained, describing a strong visual impact. “The combinations created a dynamic yet balanced aesthetic. These energetic contrasts and harmonious blends are definitely an emerging trend.”

The installation at the Capsule forum stood out with its bold colors.

Lighting: friendly and astonishing

This mix of vivid and muted colours also played well with lighting – another design element that stood out at Milan Design Week, particularly for Stefan Webelhorst. He took note of a fascinating aluminium-based composite material that integrates lighting elements, patented by Italian company HYLEtech. “It’s a solution that combines cutting-edge innovation with a surprisingly warm and comforting human touch,” said Webelhorst.

Aluminum-based composite materials with integrated lighting elements by HYLEtech.

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He was also inspired by an installation by Vans called Checkered Future: Frequency Manifest. “It was a multisensory experience where light, reflections, and vibrations merged into a dynamic space that blurred the lines between design, music, and culture,” the designer recalls.