At the Bottega Veneta Summer 2026 show in Milan, Italian design studio 6:AM transformed the runway into a shimmering landscape inspired by the sea. The event featured a collection of translucent Murano blown-glass stools, each reflecting the movement and colour of ocean waves.

Craft and Colour in Motion

The stools were hand-blown on Murano, the Venetian island famous for its centuries-old glassmaking craft. Working with local artisans, 6:AM created a custom palette of ten colours—including clear, green, amber, grey, and violet. As light passes through them, the hues shift gently, casting reflections that resemble sunlight dancing on water.

Every cube is unique. Subtle variations in tone and surface texture give the collection a sense of rhythm and depth. Rather than hiding the marks of the glassblower’s tools, 6:AM celebrates them as traces of the human hand. The result combines traditional Venetian skill with a contemporary sculptural language.

Functional Art for Interiors

Each cube has a flat top and smooth sides, allowing it to function as a seat, table, or plinth. Inside, the hollow space catches and refracts light, projecting soft ripples across nearby surfaces. These objects work as functional sculptures, ideal for interiors where materiality, light, and form play a central role.

For interior and product designers, the project shows how glass can become both structure and atmosphere. The material’s transparency invites experimentation with illumination, spatial layering, and mood. It also demonstrates that handmade production—when done locally and with care—can support sustainable design by focusing on durability and timeless appeal.

Sound and Sensory Design

The atmosphere of the show extended beyond its visuals. Artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen composed a soundtrack titled 66–76, merging Wild Is the Wind by Nina Simone and David Bowie into a duet. The overlapping voices echoed Bottega Veneta’s woven leather “Intrecciato” pattern, creating a dialogue between craft, sound, and movement.

Together, the music and the glowing stools created a multisensory experience. Visitors could not only see but also feel the rhythm of the sea that inspired the collection.

Bridging Heritage and Innovation

Through this collaboration, Bottega Veneta and 6:AM reframe Murano glass as a material for the future. Their project bridges centuries of craftsmanship with modern design thinking, proving that heritage techniques can evolve sustainably. The stools highlight how material experimentation can connect fashion, art, and interior design in new, meaningful ways.

Source: Designboom
Photos: Bottega Veneta