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Originality in CMF: blueprints for emotional connection

Exclusive and invite-only event

8 April 2025 | Rossocorsa Milano Centro - Maserati Official Dealer, Milan, Italy


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Originality in CMF: blueprints for emotional connection

Exclusive and invite-only event

8 April 2025 | Rossocorsa Milano Centro - Maserati Official Dealer, Milan, Italy

Join the conversation #CDNMilan

APPLY FOR YOUR PASS NOW BECOME A PARTNER

Originality in CMF: blueprints for emotional connection

Exclusive and invite-only event
8 April 2025 | Rossocorsa Milano Centro - Maserati Official Dealer, Milan, Italy
Join the conversation #CDNMilan

APPLY FOR YOUR PASS NOW BECOME A PARTNER




OVERVIEW




Join us in Milan for the third exclusive design night on 8 April 2025. Taking place during the renowned Salone del Mobile, Car Design Dialogues Milan will delve into the idea of originality in CMF design.

CMF design is not just about standing out — it’s about crafting vehicles that resonate on an emotional level while reflecting the ethos of the brand. In an era of stiff competition, CMF has evolved into a key player, bridging aesthetics, sustainability, and consumer aspirations. At its core, originality in CMF design stems from a deep understanding of a brand’s DNA and its audience. That demands a nuanced and strategic approach to material choice, which can encompass a spectrum of recycled textiles, bio-based plastics, and advanced sustainable coatings to leathers, brushed metals and wood. CMF designers must understand their role from multiple aspects while harnessing the possibilities of new technology to create a true emotional connection with the customer.

This year’s discussions will focus on three pivotal themes shaping the future of CMF design:

Technology: Discover dynamic materials like colour-shifting paints, 3D-printed textures, and crystal finishes to create personalised and seamlessly functional automotive interiors and exteriors.

Sustainability: Explore the potential of new materials, from recycled textiles and bio-based plastics to traditional materials with exemplary provenance, to create new forms and aesthetics that align with a sustainable future.

Brand: Gain insights into how luxury and premium brands balance originality with customer expectations, ensuring CMF design reflects their identity while forging an emotional connection with users.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join us for a thought-provoking evening, learn from top decision-makers, connect with industry leaders, and explore the future of automotive design in the vibrant heart of Milan.


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2025 Partners




Marquee Sponsor

Swarovski website logo

Swarovski Mobility brings crystal lifestyle to the car industry with an entirely new class of design elements. Far more than merely decorative, crystal is recognized as a functional component that has set a new standard in interior and exterior design for premium and luxury cars.

From ideas through to finished products, Swarovski Mobility’s goal is to bring Swarovski’s pioneering spirit to new heights. Our combination of precision-cutting technologies with design and trend expertise has produced a prestige visual and haptic experience for the automotive industry. It enables us to help develop crystal elements for a wide variety of automotive projects, whether concept cars or serial production models.

Best practice drives everything we do – our IATF 16949 certification is testament to this. Set by the International Organization for Standardization, it represents worldwide recognition of our impressive technical specification and quality standards, from product development through to our manufacturing processes.

It underlines also an exciting vision for the future, one that will keep pushing our technical, artistic and innovation boundaries as we drive towards it.

swarovski-mobility.com

Premier Sponsors

Bridge of Weir

Bridge of Weir Leather has been at the forefront of the automotive industry for over a century. Their luxury, lowest carbon leathers create next-level interiors that continually raise the bar on performance.

www.bridgeofweirleather.com

Uf

Ultrafabrics produces a range of premium, animal-free materials that is reshaping the world of performance fabrics. Crafted in its Japanese mill using the proprietary production process, Takumi™ Technology, the company’s passion is the creation of unrivalled sensorial experiences. Ultrafabrics’ continuous investment in innovation, research and development has resulted in a range of polyurethanes suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The brand’s growing client list of luxury brands spans many industries, from residential and contract furniture to upholstery for cars, yachts, airlines, and private jets.

www.ultrafabricsinc.com

 


2025 Speakers






Untitled design (74)

Klaus Busse

Head of design

Maserati

Speaker

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BIO


Klaus Busse is design director at legendary italian brand Maserati where he has overseen models such as the MC20 and MCXtrema. Busse also heads up Stellantis Design Studio, which adds another dimension to his creative role. Busse has worked in Italy for nearly a decade as head of design for Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. An experienced designer, Busse is well respected by his peers in the car industry and beyond.


Untitled design (77)

Jo Lewis

Head of colour & materials design

McLaren Automotive

Speaker

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BIO


Jo Lewis is the head of colour & materials design at McLaren Automotive, where she oversees the creative vision, strategy, and delivery of materials and finishes across McLaren’s products, partnerships, and bespoke projects. With a background in textile design and engineering, she has previously worked for Group Lotus, Jaguar Land Rover, and Stella McCartney. At McLaren, Jo has pioneered material innovations, including developing seven first-to-market automotive materials and launching the groundbreaking “Innoknit” textile on the McLaren W1. She also led bespoke design projects, such as the Speedtail collaborations with Hermès and unique customer specifications. An advocate for women in design and STEM, Jo won the 2017 Autocar Women Designer of the Year award and actively promotes industry opportunities through McLaren’s "Driven Women" initiative.


Untitled design (75)

James McLachlan

Editor

Car Design News

Moderator

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BIO


James McLachlan is editor of Car Design News, Interior Motives and Car Design Review writing, commissioning and editing the editorial output across digital and print. A design journalist for 14 years, James is interested in the intersection between car design, urban planning, technology and culture.



Previous Attendees



CDN Milan 2023 - previous attendee logos

Testimonials



Thank you for organising a brilliant event here in Milan on Tuesday. I had a great time, it was wonderful to meet you in person and reconnect with so many colleagues and friends.

Florian Seidl, Design Manager, R&D Department Lavazza Group
What a Car Design Night thank you, Car Design News for the invitation. Creme de la creme of a design world under same roof and lively discussions.

Kostas, Stylidis CEO and founder at Intended Future, Scientific Advisor at Geely Design Center

2024 Highlights


Venue





Date: 8 April 2025

Time: 17:30 - 21:00

Location: Rossocorsa Milano Centro – Maserati Official Dealer
Viale di Porta Vercellina, 16, 20123 Milano

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