At Milan Design Week 2026, Arthur Arbesser is among the key figures of Doppia Firma, the initiative by Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d'Arte and Living – Corriere della Sera, supported by the Michelangelo Foundation, which continues to explore the intersection between contemporary design and fine craftsmanship.
© Living Corriere
For this year's edition, Arbesser collaborates with Piedmont-based master cabinetmaker Andrea Bouquet on Scacco Matto, a cabinet that reflects a shared exploration of pattern, precision and materiality.
The piece emerges from a mutual sensitivity to graphic language—central to both Arbesser's design practice and Bouquet's artisanal expertise. Checkerboard and striped motifs define the cabinet's surface, creating a layered dialogue between historical references and a distinctly contemporary aesthetic.
"When I met Andrea, I was immediately fascinated by his precision, dedication, expertise and love for craftsmanship. And, of course, by his passion for graphic patterns!" says Arbesser. "Checkerboard and stripes are my favourite patterns because they can fit the Viennese Secession just as well as the Italian radical design of the 1970s and 1980s."
This fusion of influences results in a piece with intentionally unconventional proportions, where visual rhythm and structural form intersect. "This strange combination led to the creation of a piece of furniture with deliberately unusual dimensions," Arbesser adds.
Crafted entirely by hand, Scacco Matto is realised in fumed oak, maple and cherry wood through a complex inlay technique. The process demands extreme precision, particularly in aligning the intricate geometries and linear patterns that define the cabinet's identity.
Beyond its formal qualities, the project underscores the essence of Doppia Firma: a true collaboration between designer and artisan, where authorship is shared rather than divided. Here, concept and execution are inseparable, resulting in a piece where both perspectives coexist and elevate one another.
The collaboration reflects a broader shift within contemporary design, where the value of craftsmanship is increasingly recognised not as a finishing step, but as an integral part of the creative process. In Scacco Matto, this is evident in the seamless integration of Arbesser's graphic vision with Bouquet's technical mastery.
Born in Vienna and now based in Milan, Arbesser has built a multidisciplinary career spanning fashion, product design and creative direction. Known for his bold graphic language and refined visual identity, his work often draws on historical references while maintaining a strong contemporary relevance.
With Scacco Matto, Arbesser continues this trajectory—demonstrating how design and craftsmanship, when brought into genuine dialogue, can produce objects that are both conceptually rich and materially exceptional.
More information:
Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d'Arte and Living – Corriere
www.living.corriere.it
