Rethinking Luxury in Automotive Design
Exclusive and invite-only event
8 April 2025 |
Milan, Italy
#CDNMilan
Rethinking Luxury in Automotive Design
Exclusive and invite-only event
8 April 2025 | Milan, Italy
#CDNMilan
Rethinking Luxury in Automotive Design
Exclusive and invite-only event
8 April 2025 | Milan, Italy
#CDNMilan
The ideal opportunity for car designers to explore beyond the automotive industry
Join us in Milan for the third exclusive design night in Milan on 8 April 2025. Taking place during the Salone del Mobile, we will discuss the evolving definition of luxury in the automotive design world. As we navigate the intersection of opulence, sustainability trends, and cutting-edge technology, we delve into a pivotal question: How is the notion of luxury in automotive design transforming?
Car Design News together with an expert panel will explore the dynamic landscape of luxury in the automotive industry, questioning how it compares to other sectors like fashion, interiors and fine jewellery and watches. Learn from the best in the field as we uncover lessons and inspirations that transcend industry boundaries.
2024 Partners
Premier Partner
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.
Partner
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. For more information visit our website.
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Their luxury, lowest carbon leathers create next-level interiors that continually raise the bar on performance. For more information visit our website.
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Menorca® introduces a new chapter in microfiber suede, merging luxury with eco-conscious innovation to bring a fresh perspective to automotive interiors. Designed for both elegance and endurance, Menorca® employs a dye-free, water-based technology that effectively reduces environmental impact, signaling a move towards more sustainable practices.
Crafted from ultra-fine colored fibers (finner than 0.1 dtex) derived from high-temperature melted colored masterbatches, Menorca® employs precision needle-punching to transform these fibers into a robust nonwoven fabric. This fabric is further enhanced by an eco-friendly, water-based polyurethane, elevating its texture and performance to deliver unmatched quality suede.
Transitioning from solvent-based to water-based solutions, Menorca® prioritizes occupational health and environmental care, substantially reducing exposure to harmful substances such as DMF and toluene, thus setting a new industry safety and sustainability standard.
Furthermore, Menorca®'s innovative colored fiber technology offers superior colorfastness and sunlight resistance, eliminating the need for traditional dyeing and addressing dye wastewater issues, making a significant leap in reducing environmental impact without sacrificing aesthetics or functionality.
As a leader in sustainable luxury, Menorca®, presented by Mingxin New Material, a premier automotive interior supplier in China (stock code 605068.SH), showcases an unparalleled dedication to quality, health, and environmental stewardship. Menorca® signifies where innovation and sustainability converge, establishing a new benchmark for automotive interiors' future.
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Crafted from ultra-fine colored fibers (finner than 0.1 dtex) derived from high-temperature melted colored masterbatches, Menorca® employs precision needle-punching to transform these fibers into a robust nonwoven fabric. This fabric is further enhanced by an eco-friendly, water-based polyurethane, elevating its texture and performance to deliver unmatched quality suede.
Transitioning from solvent-based to water-based solutions, Menorca® prioritizes occupational health and environmental care, substantially reducing exposure to harmful substances such as DMF and toluene, thus setting a new industry safety and sustainability standard.
Furthermore, Menorca®'s innovative colored fiber technology offers superior colorfastness and sunlight resistance, eliminating the need for traditional dyeing and addressing dye wastewater issues, making a significant leap in reducing environmental impact without sacrificing aesthetics or functionality.
As a leader in sustainable luxury, Menorca®, presented by Mingxin New Material, a premier automotive interior supplier in China (stock code 605068.SH), showcases an unparalleled dedication to quality, health, and environmental stewardship. Menorca® signifies where innovation and sustainability converge, establishing a new benchmark for automotive interiors' future.
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Established in 1832, reimagined in 2021.
Pangea is a global leather supplier to the world’s leading automotive brands, providing material solutions that drive the future of natural interiors.
Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Pangea serves its customers on four continents with nearly 3,500 team members. For more information, visit pangeamade.com, and follow us on LinkedIn
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Pangea is a global leather supplier to the world’s leading automotive brands, providing material solutions that drive the future of natural interiors.
Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Pangea serves its customers on four continents with nearly 3,500 team members. For more information, visit pangeamade.com, and follow us on LinkedIn
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2024 Discussion Points
2024 Expert Panel
Andreas Wuppinger
Head of Maserati Interior Design at Stellantis
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
Coming soon.
Peter Widmann
Senior Vice President B2B and Managing Director, Swarovski Mobility
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
Peter Widmann is Senior Vice President B2B and Managing Director, Swarovski Mobility. With more than 20 years of experience in the consumer and luxury industry, his remit includes leading Swarovski’s global collaborations with renowned brands and designers and bringing the Swarovski lifestyle to the automotive business. He is passionate about the innovative use of crystal as a functional, as well as a decorative, component in interior and exterior design for premium and luxury cars.
Gaia Crippa
Head of Materials Innovation,Chris Lefteri Design
Speaker
READ BIO
BIO
Gaia is the head of materials innovation at Chris Lefteri Design, a world-recognised studio that aims to change the way designers think about materials. With a degree in Industrial Design and a Master’s degree in Design and Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Gaia has developed a profound comprehension of materials and their manufacturing processes. In her role, Gaia has collaborated with leading companies and automotive brands across Europe, the US, and Asia, developing CMF strategies that weave together narrative and material innovations.
Belinda Günther
Senior Manager of Colour & Trim Design, Mercedes-Benz
Speaker
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BIO
Belinda Günther is senior manager of colour & trim design at Mercedes-Benz. A graduate of Pforzheim where she studied fashion, Günther began her career at Nissan Design Europe before moving over to the Opel/GM Europe in 2005 and rising to chief designer of colour & material production & advanced at Opel. Günther joined Mercedes-Benz in 2019.
James McLachlan
Editor, Car Design News
Moderator
READ BIO
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.
2024 Agenda
2024 Highlights
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
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
Kostas, Stylidis CEO and founder at Intended Future, Scientific Advisor at Geely Design Center
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