Dueto at Milan Design Week: Portuguese Natural Stone on the International Stage
June 2025
Dueto at Milan Design Week: Portuguese Natural Stone on the International Stage
The Dueto collection, developed in collaboration with Galrão, was showcased at the prestigious Milan Design Week, as part of the Milano Pilot project within the 5VIE Network — one of the event’s most creative and experimental platforms.
Following its international debut at Marmomac 2024, the collection once again stood out for its refined, sculptural, and profoundly contemporary language — offering a fresh interpretation of Portuguese natural stone within the context of global design. We spoke with designers Tania Monics and Rafaela Vieira, the creative minds behind Dueto, to learn more about their experience on one of the most demanding and inspiring stages in the design world.
The result? A conversation about material and emotion — and about the quiet strength of design shaped with purpose.
Milan Design Week is one of the most prestigious international stages in the design world. What was it like to present the Dueto collection in such a grand and global context?
T: Bringing Dueto collection at Milan Design Week felt like standing still in the middle of a storm. In the loud world of design, we chose to speak softly through form, texture, and feeling. It was more than design on display; it was a moment to share our values — connection, contrast, and the quiet power of thoughtful creation.
R: Presenting Dueto at Milan Design Week was a dream, a bold leap onto the global stage. It felt like the right place to express our voice through design. It was powerful to see how our minimal, poetic approach resonated in such a rich, international design dialogue.
How was the public’s reception of the collection? Were there any comments or reactions that particularly stood out to you?
T: People stopped, touched, and really experienced the pieces. “It’s like having an art object at home.” That’s exactly what we wanted, a marble piece that feels timeless, not just as furniture, but as something that transforms the space into something lasting and meaningful.
R: The response was immediate and emotional. Many were moved by the balance of strength and subtlety in the pieces. One comment that stayed with me was how the collection felt both deeply rooted and quietly current.
Natural stone is often linked to tradition, yet it has increasingly established itself as a material with strong creative and innovative potential. At the Salone, did you notice any trends or approaches to stone that surprised you or resonated with Dueto’s concept?
T: You know, when you think of the stone it’s giving solid and heavy perception. During Salone, I have spotted the soft language of the marble in brutalist shapes and form, combined with the tender lines. The contrast of two directions is what Dueto expresses as well.
R: Yes, we saw stone being reimagined – fluid, sculptural, alive. It echoed exactly what Dueto stands for. The shift from cold, monumental uses to more intimate and expressive forms was especially inspiring.
How was the interaction with other designers and industry professionals regarding the use of natural stone? Have you observed a growing interest in this material?
T: I believe marble is the beloved material of many designers because of its natural beauty. Bringing it to the space creates a focal point, and that is why it has been always growing on the market.
R: There’s a renewed curiosity about stone. Conversations were rich, and people wanted to understand our approach deeply. We sensed a collective desire to reconnect with authentic, lasting materials – stone being central to that.
After experiencing the public’s and other brands’ reactions, how do you see natural stone positioned in the future of design?
T: Natural stone will continue to evolve, moving beyond tradition into innovative, sculptural forms. In will grow in demand, also because people started to be more mindful when investing into the furniture pieces.
R: Stone is no longer static – it’s dynamic and central to future narratives. Dueto proved it can be both timeless and avant-garde. Its ability to bridge tradition and innovation positions it as a key material for meaningful, enduring design.
What did you find most relevant and rewarding about your presence at Milan Design Week? Was there a particular moment or aspect of the experience that you would highlight?
T: Being part of the Piloto project gave us the opportunity to present the Dueto collection in a more curated way, allowing customers to truly appreciate each piece as an art form.
R: The most rewarding part was connection – with people, stories, and materials. A moment of real creative alignment. Being part of the Piloto project in 5Vie gave everything a more human, collaborative energy.
Being at Salone del Mobile placed the Dueto collection before a demanding and highly specialized international audience. How was the exhibition experience? Did you feel the collection communicated well with this global audience? What kind of recognition or visibility did it receive at this international showcase?
T: Working in Piloto was a special moment for both of us, especially for Rafaela. It celebrated her Brazilian roots and heritage, offering a beautiful platform for cultural exchange. The experience not only deepened our connection to design but also brought us international recognition for the richness of our work.
R: The collection spoke its own language, and the audience listened. We felt seen, and Dueto gained meaningful international visibility. It was rewarding to see it featured in top publications like Fuorisalone, ArchDaily, Designboom, Surface Magazine, Architectural Hunter, Vogue Brasil and others, amplifying its global impact.
