Take 5: Modern Kokeshi Dolls, Delightfully Wild Inflatables + More
Twice a month we’re inviting one of the Design Milk team members to share five personal favorites – an opportunity for each of us to reveal the sort of designs we love and appreciate in our own lives from a more personal perspective. Senior Contributing Editor Vy Yang joins this week for our Take 5 series.
1. Kokoro Studio
I recently discovered London-based Kokoro Studio and they have me enchanted with their vibrant, mouth-blown glass vessels. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese kokeshi dolls – believed to bring good fortune – Kokoro reimagines these wooden totems with a contemporary twist. Handcrafted by master artisans in both Istanbul and London, the brand’s latest Mama series is a heartfelt ode to the beauty of the maternal bond – a theme that resonates deeply with me as a mother. I’m especially drawn to how Kokoro’s abstract forms capture the essence of motherhood, using glass and color to infuse this classic doll tradition with modern elegance. See for yourself and give them a follow!
2. Criss Cross Cabinet by India Mahdavi
India Mahdavi’s Criss Cross collection is pure eye candy, but the Criss Cross Cabinet is my favorite. With its bold reimagining of classic tartan, the crisscross pattern leaps off the surface in a tactile 3D form. I love how Mahdavi uses modern colors to mimic the woven texture of tartan, giving the design a fresh, playful edge. The see-through doors turn this cabinet into a statement piece that’s as much about art as it is about storage.
3. Comme Si x USM Modular
I love when different brands collaborate in a way that’s unexpected yet totally inspiring and the Commi Si x USM has to be one of my favorites yet. Who knew trouser socks and modular furniture could be such a dream team? My favorite detail is the way both brands literally merge in the furniture collection – Comme Si’s signature textiles are fused with glass, giving USM’s iconic modular pieces a soft, almost ethereal quality. The traveling exhibition has already wowed crowds in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently, Seoul. Keep an eye on Comme Si to see if this inspired mashup lands in a city near you!
4. Bottega Veneta x Zanotta’s Ark Collection
Speaking of playful collaborations, Bottega Veneta and Zanotta have teamed up to create the Ark Collection – a whimsical nod to the iconic 1968 Sacco chair. Under the direction of Bottega Veneta’s Matthieu Blazy, Zanotta crafted 15 animal-inspired designs (think: a dog, panda, rabbit, dinosaur, and even a ladybird), all featuring the same adaptive comfort as the original. I couldn’t pick a favorite, but which one would you take home?
Photo by @rileyinmelb
5. Craig & Karl’s Melbourne Pop-Up
For my final Take 5 pick, I couldn’t resist this delightfully over-the-top inflatable installation by the dynamic duo Craig & Karl. Who needs AI when creativity like this exists? Their summer pop-up at Melbourne Central Shopping Centre is the perfect blend of art, design, and pure childhood joy. Fingers crossed they blow up something this magical near me next!
