PRESENTING PLAY - FICO’S DEBUT EXHIBITION WITHIN MOSCAPARTNERS VARIATIONS AT PALAZZO LITTA DURING MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2025

Milan, Italy – 25 March 2025 - For its inaugural presentation at Milan Design Week, Fico unveils Play —a bold exploration of form, movement, and materiality. Set within the historic Palazzo Litta, the exhibition introduces the brand’s philosophy of playful sophistication through a curated selection of its debut collections. Play is an invitation to rediscover the joy of tactile engagement with furniture—where heritage techniques meet avant-garde aesthetics, and where craftsmanship becomes an act of storytelling.

At the heart of the exhibition are two key pieces: the Barbara series and the Ondine ottoman. The Barbara series both in the side table and the console, embodies the essence of Fico, defined by sculptural spherical forms and asymmetric legs that balance structure with fluidity. Meanwhile, Ondine, a generously scaled multipurpose ottoman, serves as a striking statement piece—an embodiment of movement, interaction, and the pure delight of play. Both collections challenge conventional notions of balance and proportion, inviting users to engage with furniture in new and unexpected ways.

Complementing these designs is Woven Air, a poetic series that seamlessly merges structured geometric wooden panels with the delicate transparency of handwoven Jamdani textiles. This ethereal fusion pays homage to one of the world’s most intricate weaving traditions, celebrating its enduring craftsmanship while underscoring the fragility of heritage in a modern world. Each Jamdani screen, woven with the finest threads, reflects centuries-old techniques passed down through generations of artisans in Bangladesh. Once crafted from the now-rare Phuti Karpas cotton, these textiles represent a lost era of luxury—reinterpreted in Woven Air as both a tribute and a call to action for environmental preservation.

With Play, Fico presents more than just furniture—it offers a vision of design as a dynamic, sensorial experience. The exhibition is a study in contrasts—between the static and the dynamic, the grounded and the floating. Within the immersive spatial composition of the exhibition, materiality becomes movement, and furniture becomes architecture, redefining the boundaries between function, form, and perception. 

Fico’s debut in Milan is not just an introduction—it is an assertion. A statement of intent, where craftsmanship, history, and contemporary design converge to shape a new narrative of luxury—one that is joyful, meaningful, and in constant motion.

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About Rayana Hossain

Rayana Hossain is a visionary entrepreneur and policy advocate redefining leadership in Bangladesh’s design and manufacturing industries. A Harvard-educated expert in architecture and landscape design, she is committed to sustainability, heritage preservation, and industry reform. After studying at the University of Toronto and earning a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University, she recognised the transformative power of design beyond aesthetics—shaping economies, addressing societal needs, and fostering innovation. Returning to Bangladesh in 2017, she founded ISHO, a modern furniture brand that blends global design trends with a data-driven approach to manufacturing, making high-quality, affordable furniture accessible while prioritising sustainability.

Beyond business, Hossain is dedicated to policy reform, education, and heritage preservation. As the only woman on the Export Association Board, she advocates for lower import taxes on raw materials to strengthen local manufacturing. She is also collaborating with universities to introduce formal product design education, ensuring the next generation is equipped for global competition. Passionate about preserving Bangladesh’s artisanal traditions, she works with craftspeople to modernise techniques and create economic opportunities. Through her leadership in manufacturing, design, and advocacy, Hossain is positioning Bangladesh as a key player in global design while inspiring a new wave of innovators.

About MoscaPartners Variations at Palazzo LittaMoscaPartners Variations is the exhibition organized by MoscaPartners, founded by Caterina Mosca and Valerio Castelli in 2011, which returns to Palazzo Litta during Milan Design Week 2025. This year's theme, Migrations, explores design as a catalyst for cultural exchange and creative innovation. Bringing together international architects, designers and artists, the exhibition transcends geographical boundaries, fostering dialogue between diverse perspectives. By showcasing new approaches to contemporary design, it transforms the historic venue into a dynamic space for experimentation and discovery. Through research-driven projects and site-specific installations, MoscaPartners continues its commitment to promoting visionary talents and new creative languages. A new vision will also be brought to the Main Courtyard: MoscaPartners has entrusted the Korean architect Byoung Soo Cho – in his first site-specific installation in Italy – with the installation Nobody Owns the Land: Earth, Forest, Mahk within the space. This edition of MoscaPartners Variations reaffirms design as a powerful medium for connection, transformation and future-oriented thinking.