KARL LAGERFELD MAISON returns to Milan Design Week with K/WELLEN, an evolution of its Wellen furniture collection. Building on the 2024 launch, the brand adds 12 new pieces that explore curved geometries, material contrasts, and sculptural precision. The updated collection will be on view from April 8 to 12, 2025, at the KARL LAGERFELD MAISON showroom on via Passione 8.
Design Direction
The new additions continue the Wellen series’ exploration of architectural lines and modular balance. While the collection presents functional pieces, such as sideboards, consoles, mirrors, and seating, each object pushes the viewer to reconsider standard forms. Furniture that typically prioritizes utility now takes on an artistic quality, while maintaining purpose through integrated drawers, mirrored surfaces, or softly textured upholstery.
Each design introduces discreet references to the letter “K,” folded directly into the structure. The resulting shapes move between curved and angular, creating tension between control and fluidity. A hanging mirror appears to hover, drawing attention to the form’s edge while reflecting the space around it. A looped console, fabricated from a single sheet of aluminum, defies expectations through its form and precision.
Material Choices
The expanded Wellen line introduces new materials that reflect Karl Lagerfeld’s personal preference for chrome, metallic tones, and sculptural silhouettes. Aluminum appears across the collection in matte gunmetal, titanium, and raw finishes, offering variation in tone and surface quality. Some finishes reflect light subtly, while others create a more industrial texture.
A dining table pairs a reflective aluminum base with a travertine top, balancing the cold smoothness of metal with the natural texture of stone. In contrast, upholstered pieces like ottomans and molded dining chairs feature bouclé fabric, which introduces softness into the room while maintaining a graphic shape. Together, these elements offer material contrast without breaking visual coherence.
Creative Vision
Toan Nguyen, who brings years of experience in product and furniture design, contributed to this season’s expansion. He drew inspiration from Karl Lagerfeld’s architectural references, crafting objects that express form and weight while staying rooted in functionality. Nguyen focused on the interaction between light and surface, creating pieces that shift depending on viewing angle and lighting conditions.
According to Nguyen, the introduction of aluminum changes the collection’s language: “Building on last season, which was heavily rooted in upholstery, the expanded collection introduces aluminum in a range of refined finishes – matte gunmetal, matte titanium, and raw aluminum with a glossy effect – alongside mirrored surfaces. These are more than functional furnishings; they are intriguing gestures of craftsmanship and unique objects of art.”
Artistic Influence
Caroline Lebar, SVP of Image & Communication at KARL LAGERFELD, worked closely with Karl on interior design projects for many years. She views the Wellen expansion as consistent with his approach to form: “One of Karl’s many incredible talents was the ability to make complex designs seem light and effortless… each piece stands out while also flowing seamlessly together. Similar to an exhibition in an art gallery, K/WELLEN is designed with intention, beauty and timeless sophistication.”
The collection, named after the German word for “waves,” responds directly to Karl Lagerfeld’s interests beyond fashion. His passion for interior design, furniture, and architectural forms informed the project from its early stages. The team behind KARL LAGERFELD MAISON continues to draw from his favorite places, home environments, and personal aesthetic references, using them as a guide for contemporary product development.
