Design Anatomy

• Milan in review: The Beautiful Chaos of Milan Design Week with Alvin Wu

  The beautiful chaos of Milan Design Week comes alive through the fresh eyes of first-time attendee Alvin Wu, brand manager at Niche Media. What began as a career in interior design evolved into finding his true passion within the design community—organizing events like the "30 Under 30" program that recognizes emerging design talent through mentorship and a creativity retreat in Bali.Drawn to Milan with the hope of experiencing a quieter edition during a non-Euroluce year, Alvin quickly discovered the reality: design week has surpassed fashion week in popularity, with half a million visitors descending upon a city not quite built for such numbers. The notorious three-hour queues for installations like L' Appartamento by Artemest contrast sharply with the magical moments found in unexpected places—like sitting beneath trees at Alcova, a welcome respite from the urban intensity.For Australian designers on the global stage, Milan represents both challenge and triumph. Ross Gardam and Articolo showcased lighting innovations that drew gasps of appreciation, proving the calibre of design talent from down under. These moments of national pride punctuated Alvin's evolving appreciation for lighting design, which has now become his "top category" of interest. Standing in the Molteni showroom, witnessing how strategic lighting transformed entire spaces, revealed how transformative thoughtful illumination can be.The true value of Milan, Alvin discovered, transcends products and installations. "My biggest takeaway is definitely the networking experience," he reflects. "At the end of the day, no matter what role you play in this industry, we are all one community." While products change annually, the connections formed during these intense, inspiration-filled days create lifelong relationships that ultimately shape the design world more profoundly than any single object ever could. Follow Alvin Wu on Instagram@alvinpwu@[email protected] about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe? Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening. London Tour 2025 Milan Tour 2026 Want the low-down on the good stuff? Sign up for the launch of Design Edit by Bree Banfield - curated pre-selected decor collections, workshops, design tours and trends. Learn more: BREE BANFIELD If you're sitting at your desk about to send a fee proposal and you'd just like to run it by someone else first? Or have you ever had a client dilemma and it just doesn't feel right but no one you know understands (except for the dog)?And do you wonder why you're not raking it in when you're practically living at your desk, busting your creative chops 'round the clock?These are the things we're diving into with a small group of designers just like you. And so much more in THE DESIGN SOCIETY YouTube launching very soon subscribe for the visual experience DESIGN ANATOMY PODCAST

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• Milan in review: Georgina Wilson’s Viral Approach to Architecture

  Architect Georgina Wilson joins us to share her remarkable journey from traditional practice to social media phenomenon. What began as a simple experiment on TikTok — "because no one I knew was on it" — unexpectedly transformed her 25-year architectural career and business model. Today, her viral design content reaches hundreds of thousands of followers, and her firm operates "as if from the moon," providing virtual design consultations to clients worldwide.Georgina's success stems from her refreshingly straightforward approach. Frustrated by how architects typically communicate only with other designers through meaningless jargon, she decided to speak directly to what she affectionately calls "normies" — everyday people who want to understand good design without the pretension. Her content breaks down complex design principles into accessible advice, often featuring floor plans that visually demonstrate why certain layouts work better than others.Fresh from Milan Design Week, Georgina shares how her perspective has evolved from viewing design through a personal lens to approaching it journalistically, seeking stories that would interest her audience. She was particularly captivated by innovations in lighting design, discovering how new technologies can influence behavior and create versatility in spaces.What makes Georgina's approach truly inspiring is her philosophy of authenticity and continuous improvement. "It's gotta be shit before it's good," she explains, describing how this mindset frees her from perfectionism and encourages experimentation. This authenticity extends to her design principles — "Interior design is not fashion. If anything, it's anti-fashion" — emphasizing creating environments that remain beautiful and functional for decades, not seasons.Subscribe for more conversations with design professionals who are changing the industry through innovation and authenticity. Want to improve your own space? Follow Georgina on Instagram for practical design advice that makes a real difference in how you live.INSTAGRAM @georginawilsonassociates WEB: https://www.georginawilsonassociates.comThinking about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe? Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening. London Tour 2025 Milan Tour 2026 Want the low-down on the good stuff? Sign up for the launch of Design Edit by Bree Banfield - curated pre-selected decor collections, workshops, design tours and trends. Learn more: BREE BANFIELD If you're sitting at your desk about to send a fee proposal and you'd just like to run it by someone else first? Or have you ever had a client dilemma and it just doesn't feel right but no one you know understands (except for the dog)?And do you wonder why you're not raking it in when you're practically living at your desk, busting your creative chops 'round the clock?These are the things we're diving into with a small group of designers just like you. And so much more in THE DESIGN SOCIETY YouTube launching very soon subscribe for the visual experience DESIGN ANATOMY PODCAST

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• The Milan in review series: Sculpting Light with Oliver Wilcox

  The Milan in review series: Sculpting Light with Oliver WilcoxWhat happens when an artist turns lighting designer? Oliver Wilcox's journey from fine arts graduate to founder of the cutting-edge Lost Profile Studio reveals the magic that occurs at the intersection of art and function.Oliver's story begins with a fortuitous volunteer position at Christopher Boots' lighting studio that evolved into managing production for one of Australia's most innovative lighting designers. But it was during a trip to Paris when everything clicked into place. Standing before a portrait painting in the famed Paris Fleas antique market, Oliver discovered the concept of "profil perdu" – lost profile – a challenging technique where artists capture someone's likeness without showing their face. This became both his studio name and design philosophy: embedding profound meaning into minimal forms.His latest collection, Carapace, showcases this philosophy brilliantly. Inspired by both antique candle reflectors and turtle shells, these cast metal pieces create ambient light through reflection rather than direct illumination. The collection spans from intimate incense burners to dramatic chandeliers, each piece custom-designed down to the screws. "I wanted to push myself," Oliver explains, detailing how Carapace represents multiple firsts in his design practice.What truly distinguishes Oliver's work is the tension he creates between seemingly opposing qualities. His pieces are simultaneously brutalist yet delicate, industrial yet elegant. This distinctive approach has earned him representation across Australia, the United States, and Europe, with his third Milan Design Week exhibition cementing his place on the global design stage.For those fascinated by the creative process or looking to break into international design markets, Oliver's insights on finding exhibition spaces in Milan, building international relationships, and staying true to artistic vision over commercial appeal offer invaluable guidance. Listen now and discover how Australian designers are making serious waves internationally.Check out Lost Profile Studio's incredible creations athttps://www.lostprofile.nethttps://www.instagram.com/lost_profile_studioThinking about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe? Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening. London Tour 2025 Milan Tour 2026 Want the low-down on the good stuff? Sign up for the launch of Design Edit by Bree Banfield - curated pre-selected decor collections, workshops, design tours and trends. Learn more: BREE BANFIELD If you're sitting at your desk about to send a fee proposal and you'd just like to run it by someone else first? Or have you ever had a client dilemma and it just doesn't feel right but no one you know understands (except for the dog)?And do you wonder why you're not raking it in when you're practically living at your desk, busting your creative chops 'round the clock?These are the things we're diving into with a small group of designers just like you. And so much more in THE DESIGN SOCIETY YouTube launching very soon subscribe for the visual experience DESIGN ANATOMY PODCAST

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• The Design Anatomy Tour Recap: What Paris and Milan Can Teach Us

  Welcome back for Season 2 of The Design Anatomy podcast! After our incredible travel adventure with a fabulous group of design enthusiasts on our very first Design Anatomy Tour, we're buzzing to share what we discovered & experienced abroad.Stepping into private Parisian and Milanese apartments was truly a pinch-us experience. From artist, Paul Mouginot's classic pre-Haussmann apartment to Architect & designer Sophie Dries'  home in Paris, to Christian and Francesco's colour-drenched Milan apartment and the stunning former villa curated by the Droulers Architecture sisters – each space revealed secrets that photos simply cannot capture. These weren't just beautiful homes; they were masterclasses in spatial planning and cultural approaches to living.The European approach turns Australian apartment design conventions upside down. Instead of knocking down walls for open-plan living, they embrace separate rooms that create distinct zones for specific purposes. Their kitchens exist as dedicated spaces rather than extensions of living areas. Dining spaces take precedence, reflecting the cultural importance of gathering for meals. Strategic use of mirrors, thoughtful lighting (no sea of downlights!), and brave applications of colour all worked together to create spaces with true character and depth.What stayed with us wasn't just the beautiful design, but how these spaces reflected a fundamentally different philosophy about apartment living. Europeans aren't trying to emulate larger homes in smaller spaces – they're celebrating the unique qualities of apartment life through intelligent design choices that prioritize function, beauty and sociability. As Australia builds more apartments, perhaps it's time we looked beyond our shores for inspiration on creating spaces that truly work.Want to experience these incredible private apartments for yourself? Our exclusive Milan/Paris tour returns in 2026, and we're heading to London this September! With just eight spots available on each tour, jump on our waitlist now to secure yourThinking about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe? Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening. London Tour 2025 Milan Tour 2026 Want the low-down on the good stuff? Sign up for the launch of Design Edit by Bree Banfield - curated pre-selected decor collections, workshops, design tours and trends. Learn more: BREE BANFIELD If you're sitting at your desk about to send a fee proposal and you'd just like to run it by someone else first? Or have you ever had a client dilemma and it just doesn't feel right but no one you know understands (except for the dog)?And do you wonder why you're not raking it in when you're practically living at your desk, busting your creative chops 'round the clock?These are the things we're diving into with a small group of designers just like you. And so much more in THE DESIGN SOCIETY YouTube launching very soon subscribe for the visual experience DESIGN ANATOMY PODCAST

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• Passport to Style: The Design Anatomy Tour

  Twenty episodes down, and what a journey it's been! Lauren and Bree reflect on Design Anatomy's debut season while sharing exciting news about where the podcast is heading next—literally. With Paris and Milan firmly in their sights, the hosts are taking The Design Anatomy on the road through exclusive, intimate design tours. Unlike typical tourist experiences, these adventures are crafted for just eight design enthusiasts who'll dine at one table, explore premier showrooms, and immerse themselves in global design destinations.  They reveal that their first Paris - Milan tour sold out instantly, proving there's a genuine hunger for these curated design experiences.Beyond these immediate plans, Lauren and Bree are already researching London for September 2025, coinciding with London Design Festival. Bree's brief but transformative three-day visit recently sparked a love affair with the city's rich design culture, showrooms, and creative energy. Plans for Milan 2026 are also underway, establishing what will become an annual tour to one of design's most influential gatherings.Want to join the adventure? Register your interest through the show notes link—but don't delay. As the hosts playfully warn: first in, best dressed! While they prepare for their international design explorations, they invite listeners to explore the wealth of content from twenty episodes that showcase fascinating conversations with design experts. Subscribe now to be notified when they return with fresh insights, global perspectives, and all-new design conversations for Season 2!The Design Anatomy - London 2025 Tour WaitlistThe Design Anatomy - Milan 2026 Tour WaitlistThinking about joining Bree & Lauren in Milan 2026? Or perhaps London later this year, is more your design vibe? Jump onto our wait lists below & be the first to know when all these amazing tours are happening. London Tour 2025 Milan Tour 2026 Want the low-down on the good stuff? Sign up for the launch of Design Edit by Bree Banfield - curated pre-selected decor collections, workshops, design tours and trends. Learn more: BREE BANFIELD If you're sitting at your desk about to send a fee proposal and you'd just like to run it by someone else first? Or have you ever had a client dilemma and it just doesn't feel right but no one you know understands (except for the dog)?And do you wonder why you're not raking it in when you're practically living at your desk, busting your creative chops 'round the clock?These are the things we're diving into with a small group of designers just like you. And so much more in THE DESIGN SOCIETY YouTube launching very soon subscribe for the visual experience DESIGN ANATOMY PODCAST

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