CAMPERLAB Goes Underground to Wrap Up Not In Milan
Ahh, yes, another Milan Design Week is officially in the books—one not to be missed. Nothing was off limits, from baroque bathroom appliances and handcrafted house lamps to “repacked” furniture and hot Cheeto handbags, as creatives from all walks of life took over the Italian city's urban expanse. Seeing a series of innovative installations and posh pop-ups arrive in Milan over five days, the annual festival dedicated to the arts was one for the ages—so you know Highsnobiety had to get in on the fun.
As the grand finale of our signature “Not In Milan” activation, we joined forces with the subversive footwear and apparel brand CAMPERLAB to cap off seven days' worth of design-themed happenings with a bit of style and flair. The exclusive CAMPERLAB Underground party, presented by Highsnobiety Soundsystem, saw the who’s who of the Milanese party scene flock to the city’s outskirts, transforming the dedicated design exhibition into a full-on fashion fête.
Hosted at the iconic Silicone Club, nestled just beyond the zone of Milan’s design-induced delirium, hoards of eager partygoers were transported into a world characterized by pulsating basslines, multi-colored black lights, and nonstop dancing—even in Italy, we can’t hide our Berlin-based roots, it seems.
Teeing things off, the London-bred collective PXSSYPALACE set the tone for the night, radiating an enamoring essence from when doors opened. Featuring DJ sets from members Nadine Noor, Mya Mehmi, and Ryan Lovell, the inclusive party clique incited a liberating movement of fluid gyration that had the dance floor filled within 30 minutes of the event’s official start time.
Taking a beat for some fresh air and a quick sip, guests stepped in front of the bespoke poster wall for a quick fit check and photo op, flexing pieces from their personal archives as well as featured looks from CAMPERLAB’s new SS24 collection. While the week may have been mainly dedicated to design, the enigmatic fashion label still had its moment, outfitting a few of our special guests in imaginative ensembles for their unforgettable one night in Milan. Alright, now, back to the dancing.
Maintaining the effervescent energy, DJ Rosa Pistola stepped up to the decks, delivering a breakbeat barrage to satiate everyone’s sonic cravings as the party carried on deeper and deeper into the night. With the party failing to lose any steam—both figuratively and literally—CRYSTALLMESS plugged in for the grand finale, serving up a spread of techno-tinged tunes that inspired one last unbridled dance frenzy from the unwavering mass of dedicated attendees.
Even as the blinding floodlights kicked on, signaling the end of the sweat-fueled rendezvous, the large sum of wanton clubbers spilled out into the street, carrying the infectious energy up and down the Italian vias as dawn quickly approached.
Wrapping up a week of design exuberance and Snobified extravagance, 2024 Milan Design Week did not disappoint. Even while the aesthetic exhibition has come to pass, have no fear there is always next year. Until then, though, we bid Milan a heartfelt Ciao for now!
