This year's Design Miami, themed 'Make. Believe.', serves as a compelling platform where creative visions are not merely imagined but brought into tangible existence. The event underscores a collective desire among designers to craft objects and spaces that offer comfort, serenity, and a profound sense of connection in an increasingly fast-paced world. Through diverse installations, the showcased artists explore how belief, when actualized through creation, can foster personal centering and a tranquil atmosphere, enabling individuals to find peace and well-being.
Featured Innovators at Design Miami 2025
At the recent Design Miami 2025, a significant gathering that originated in 2005 alongside Art Basel, several prominent figures unveiled their groundbreaking works under the captivating theme 'Make. Believe.' This theme encouraged participants to transform abstract dreams into concrete realities, emphasizing the tangible aspects of creative business.
Renowned artist Tina Frey presented her 'Orbit Collection,' a series of three monumental pieces that blend futuristic monumentality with ancient subtext. These designs, described by Frey as 'spaceship boulders,' feature organic forms, seating planes, and ring-like curves, cast in bronze and coated in chrome. Conceived during a retreat in darkness, these creations are intended to evoke a cosmic connection, allowing individuals to feel cradled within 'the silent touch of distant worlds' and to recognize their intrinsic link to the universe.
NFL star Stefon Diggs introduced his new brand, 'Si Vis Pacem,' a Latin phrase meaning 'if you want peace.' This collection, comprising a sofa, H-shaped chairs, and luxurious fur-wrapped mirrors, aims to create functional art pieces that cultivate a peaceful home environment. Diggs emphasized his desire to share the tranquility he finds in self-created spaces, inviting others to experience a warm and grounding atmosphere. A broader selection from 'Si Vis Pacem' is anticipated to launch in 2026.
Argentinian designer Conie Vallese collaborated with Fendi to create a minimalist 'salotto,' or living room. Crafted with the expertise of five Italian artisans, this installation features subtle wire seating and flower motif-embedded blocks, all housed within a vibrant canary yellow setting. Vallese's design, characterized by a 'Roman palette of rosy bronze, sorbetto shades, and pale anice blue,' seeks to establish an intimate and familiar space, embodying a sense of belonging and gentle grounding through its artful arrangement and optimistic yellow hue.
Harry Nuriev of Crosby Studios presented two installations, one in collaboration with Kohler and another with Clive Christian Perfume. For Kohler, Nuriev designed an exhibit showcasing their new Pearlized iridescent ceramic finish. This techno-sleek display features a school of mercurial, circling fish suspended above polychrome fixtures, creating a meditative visual experience. Nuriev's work, though often austere, consistently delivers a sense of comfort and warmth, even in seemingly 'cold' environments, by focusing on emotional and spiritual connections.
The diverse contributions at Design Miami 2025 collectively highlight a profound exploration of design's capacity to evoke positive human emotions and experiences, transforming beliefs into tangible, meaningful realities.
The recent Design Miami offered a compelling glimpse into how modern art and design can deeply influence our emotional landscapes and daily lives. It highlighted that beyond aesthetic appeal, true design aims to foster a sense of belonging and tranquility. This event serves as a powerful reminder that in our increasingly complex world, the spaces we inhabit and the objects we interact with play a crucial role in grounding us and enhancing our overall well-being. It underscores the importance of intentional design in creating environments that soothe the soul and connect us to something larger than ourselves.