Design

YAMAGIWA reimagines light and craft at Milan Design Week 2025

After a two-year absence, YAMAGIWA makes a stunning return to Milan Design Week, unveiling three exquisite lighting collections at the iconic Villa Borsani as part of the Alcova exhibition

Por: Alejandro Carrillo
With a history spanning over 100 years, YAMAGIWA masterfully fuses Japanese craftsmanship with rich materials, faithfully embodying its guiding philosophy: The Art of Illumination / Photo via YAMAGIWA
With a history spanning over 100 years, YAMAGIWA masterfully fuses Japanese craftsmanship with rich materials, faithfully embodying its guiding philosophy: The Art of Illumination / Photo via YAMAGIWA

With a history spanning over 100 years, YAMAGIWA masterfully fuses Japanese craftsmanship with rich materials, faithfully embodying its guiding philosophy: The Art of Illumination. This year at Alcova, the brand innovates by collaborating with Noritake, a prestigious Japanese porcelain and tableware brand.

 

Celebrating more than 120 years of artistic excellence, Noritake brings its legacy of refined dining and mastery in material expression to the table. Their shared values—precision, artistry, and innovation—form the basis for this collaboration, creating an engaging dialogue between two heritage-rich disciplines. Together, they create an immersive experience that honors craftsmanship while pushing creative boundaries.

Celebrating more than 120 years of artistic excellence, Noritake brings its legacy of refined dining and mastery in material expression to the table / Photo via YAMAGIWA
Celebrating more than 120 years of artistic excellence, Noritake brings its legacy of refined dining and mastery in material expression to the table / Photo via YAMAGIWA

Both YAMAGIWA and Noritake are official licensees of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, upholding the renowned architect’s legacy by blending classic techniques with contemporary design. Their joint display at Villa Borsani pays tribute to Wright’s enduring vision, showing how heritage and progress can coexist seamlessly.

 

The exhibition has been elegantly curated by British designer Faye Toogood, who carefully selected pieces from YAMAGIWA’s lighting portfolio. Her curatorial approach amplifies the emotional resonance of each fixture, revealing how light interacts with the surrounding space. The result is an atmosphere that feels both thoughtful and intimate, perfectly attuned to the architectural charm of Villa Borsani.

The exhibition has been elegantly curated by British designer Faye Toogood, who carefully selected pieces from YAMAGIWA’s lighting portfolio / Photo via YAMAGIWA
The exhibition has been elegantly curated by British designer Faye Toogood, who carefully selected pieces from YAMAGIWA’s lighting portfolio / Photo Faye Toogood

TALIESIN® Series

One of the key highlights is the TALIESIN® series, a collection originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and meticulously reproduced by YAMAGIWA for over three decades. This collection illustrates Wright’s belief that light is fundamental to architecture. Each piece harmonizes Japanese precision craftsmanship with his avant-garde design language, resulting in a timeless lighting system that’s as functional as it is poetic.

One of the key highlights is the TALIESIN® series, a collection originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and meticulously reproduced by YAMAGIWA for over three decades / Photo via YAMAGIWA
One of the key highlights is the TALIESIN® series, a collection originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and meticulously reproduced by YAMAGIWA for over three decades / Photo via YAMAGIWA

RAI Collection

The newly launched RAI collection draws inspiration from the art of traditional Japanese lantern-making. It modernizes ancient materials with a fresh aesthetic, creating soft, glowing fixtures that exude tranquility and grace. The collection evokes a serene, meditative feeling, capturing the spirit of Japanese minimalism while pushing boundaries in modern lighting design.

JAKOBSSON LAMP Collection

Designed by Swedish visionary Hans-Agne Jakobsson, the JAKOBSSON LAMP collection brings Scandinavian warmth into the YAMAGIWA universe. These lamps feature distinctive pinewood shades that filter light softly, recalling the comforting glow of a campfire. Inspired by Nordic landscapes, they add an earthy, natural elegance that contrasts beautifully with their Japanese counterparts.

 

Rooted in the centuries-old traditions of Japanese artistry, YAMAGIWA continues to honor and evolve time-tested techniques like woodwork, metal shaping, glassmaking, and the intricate manipulation of washi paper. Each craft reflects generations of skill and a profound respect for natural elements, resulting in lighting that is as visually compelling as it is technically masterful.

Building upon this deep foundation, YAMAGIWA integrates modern innovation to create designs that seamlessly bridge the past and present. Every product stands as a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of quality and its enduring commitment to the philosophy of Made in Japan.

 

Founded in 1923, YAMAGIWA remains Japan’s foremost lighting manufacturer, renowned for its blend of artistry, precision, and groundbreaking design. Through collaborations with world-renowned designers and architects, the company continues to illuminate spaces with elegance and purpose, all under its enduring motto: The Art of Lighting.

Key information

  • Where did YAMAGIWA present its new collections during Milan Design Week 2025? At Villa Borsani, as part of the Alcova exhibition.
  • What does the new RAI collection draw inspiration from? From traditional Japanese lantern-making techniques.
  • Who curated the YAMAGIWA exhibition space? British designer Faye Toogood.
  • What iconic series has YAMAGIWA been reproducing for over 30 years? The TALIESIN® series by Frank Lloyd Wright.

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