HFDA’s immersive exhibition during milan design week 2025
Milan Design Week 2025 welcomes ‘Budapest Select – A VVoven View,’ an immersive exhibition curated by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA). The showcase welcomes visitors into an intricate dialogue between heritage and contemporary innovation, where human craftsmanship meets artificial intelligence in a fusion of organic and technological worlds. Set against floating white paper sheets – a metaphor for boundless creative possibility – the exhibition showcases Hungary’s evolving artistic philosophy, presenting 24 designers who redefine traditional craftsmanship through experimental materials and futuristic aesthetics. Set at Milan’s 5VIE district at Via Santa Marta 21, the exhibition’s three thematic spaces highlight different aspects of this creative interplay, showcasing how Hungarian designers embrace sustainability, adaptability, and storytelling through material exploration.
the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency unveils ‘Budapest Select – A VVoven View’ | all images courtesy by HFDA
‘Budapest Select – A VVoven View’ bridges past to future
HFDA, or Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency, founded in 2018, supports Hungarian fashion and design talents by expanding their international presence and providing professional development opportunities. With a track record of organizing Budapest Central European Fashion Week and 360 Design Budapest, the agency is committed to fostering innovation and global recognition.
The Agency extends this dedication for Milan Design Week, specifically on Via Santa Marta 21, in the 5VIE district of the city, through the ‘Budapest Select – A VVoven View.’ This exhibition introduces a new wave of Hungarian creativity, inviting international audiences to explore a contemporary artistic vision that harmonizes tradition with AI-driven methodologies that serve as a bridge between past and future. By balancing sustainable practices with AI-driven exploration, the display not only redefines traditional artistry but also positions Hungary as a global thought leader in design, where HFDA essentially underscores the adaptability, resourcefulness, and visionary spirit that continue to shape Hungarian creativity on the international stage.
a striking visual element of the exhibition is the floating white paper sheets adorning the walls and ceiling, symbolising purity and boundless creative possibility
ai-assisted ceramics meet human intuition
The exhibition unfolds across three curated rooms, each reflecting a distinct yet interconnected approach to design. The first room, is dedicated to handcrafted materials and traditional techniques, showcasing pieces such as the KARTON chair by HENIBARA, which embodies minimalist elegance using sustainable cardboard structures. Henriett Barabás, an industrial design graduate, blends her fashion background with her design work. Known for geometric, steel-based designs, her KARTON chair uses fiber-brushed steel and explores monolithic forms. Alongside the chair, the Cactus Table Mini takes center stage by Demeter Fogarasi, a Budapest-based designer, who blends emotion, art, and functionality in his work. His table made from aluminum, transforms 2D patterns into 3D forms, embracing maximalism with intricate, sculptural detail.
In pastel pink and yellow, one cannot miss Maniko long by Maniko – a stylish, practical, pet-friendly furniture inspired by the founders’ dogs. Maniko’s modular designs, made from customizable steel panels, offer versatile, sustainable pieces that evolve with your needs. This whole space highlights the timeless nature of traditional methods and their relevance in contemporary design. Visitors can experience the textures and forms that have defined Hungarian craftsmanship for generations while observing the delicate process of hand-finishing and sustainable material sourcing.
Karton chair by HENIBARA
The second room focuses on cutting-edge digital tools and AI-driven aesthetics. Here, visitors get to admire the intricate details of the Cherry Herd Nightstand by VUUV Works, a piece that fuses locally sourced wood with refined craftsmanship. The artist crafts limited, custom-designed pieces that are built on timeless techniques, celebrating Central European craftsmanship, focused on sustainability. Another notable product in this space is the Throne Side table by Gabor Gobi, who designs eco-conscious, upcycled furniture and sculptures. In fact, his ‘Throne’ side table, crafted from repurposed materials and fire-burned wood, symbolizes the urgency of climate action through artful design.
More artworks include Daniella Koós playful, minimalist objects with timeless functionality. Specifically, her award-winning HILO vase collection combines traditional glassblowing with industrial techniques, embracing mold wear for unique, sustainable pieces. This space allows visitors to explore how digital processes and AI-generated structures are transforming design, offering a glimpse into a future where technology plays a fundamental role in shaping artistic expression.
this curated showcase highlights the unique creative spirit of Hungarian designers, presenting a compelling fusion of past and future
The final room, unites these two contrasting worlds, demonstrating how human intuition and technological innovation coalesce to form an entirely new visual language, serving as a testament to the possibilities that emerge when artisans collaborate with digital processes. From floor to ceiling, artworks, furniture and decor enrich the rooms throughout. Szabolcs Baranyay, a glassblower, embraces the delicate, unpredictable nature of glass with this ‘Tower; series showcasing modified traditional techniques, creating organic, playful objects with metallic sheen and a focus on craftsmanship. Meanwhile, István Dukai, a graphic artist, puts minimalism into constructivism and op-art in his work, evident in his ‘FORMA V3-2’ piece that combines digital manipulation with handcrafted techniques.
Other exhibits include ‘Fi-lux’ – a lighting project that merges 3D printing and organic designs, creating sustainable, functional lighting fixtures where Juszuffceramics, founded by József Kovács, combines traditional porcelain casting with modern ceramic printing. Another lighting product to look out for is the the Bouy lamp collection, made from upcycled sailboats at Lake Balaton. Designer Dóra Tarcsi merges Japanese lanterns with local buoys, highlighting the importance of recycling and raising awareness about the fragile connection between man-made materials and nature.
Cherry Herd Nightstand by VUUV Works
Apparent in the entirety of the space is the exhibition’s floating white paper sheets and handwoven threads serve as symbolic gestures, emphasizing the dialogue between AI-generated concepts and human interpretation. The presence of textual interventions, where artists manually alter selected passages, highlights the necessity of human intuition in refining digital creativity. The interplay between machine learning and artisanal craft is not framed as opposition but as a mutually enriching collaboration.
In addition to the design showcase, a series of cultural events immerse visitors in Hungary’s creative heritage. Highlights include a live illustration workshop by contemporary artist Juli Jásdi, where attendees collaborate on tram-inspired artwork, capturing the vibrant essence of Budapest’s streets. Artisan egg decorator Beatrix Jókainé Gombosi leads a traditional egg-painting demonstration, introducing visitors to the intricate motifs and meanings behind Hungary’s rich folk-art traditions. The evening programs transform the space into a lively cultural hub, featuring folk performances that bring Hungarian traditions to life, alongside DJ MirMur’s sets that merge contemporary electronic music with folk rhythms. A curated Hungarian wine tasting by the Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency rounds out the experience, offering guests an authentic sensory journey through the country’s viticultural heritage.
Throne Side table by Gabor Gobi
