If the word Lladro conjures up images if smock clad girls frolicking amongst a heard of sheep, then you'll be pleasantly surprised by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon's interpretation of the Spanish porcelain maker. The Conversation vase uses classic Lladro porcelain techniques, with both the interior and exterior glazed for a completed finish. More of a sculpture than a vase, the four faces communicate among each other as they tell a story of fantasy, magic and splendor.

The Conversation vase is available from Design 55.

Designed by Dror Benshetrit, the Peacock chair is made from three sheets of tightly woven felt that is folded around a minimal frame. The folds form to provide a structured yet comfortable chair that miraculously has no weaving, sewing or upholstery involved.

Cappellini is available locally at Georgigregg Home.

British furniture manufacturer Established & Sons are experts at cultivating designers who represent the functional industrial design aesthetic. The Table Bench Chair by Sam Hecht launched at Milan this year, reflects a good simple idea that combines several seating opportunities and functions into a single product, where individual seating spaces are defined along one continuous bench. The designers inspiration came from a trip on the Tokyo Metro.

Established & Sons is available in New Zealand at Simon James Design.

The iconic Up Series chair first designed in 1969 by Gaetano Pesce is celebrating it's 40th birthday with a special new silver treatment. I've always been a little perplexed by it's representation of the subjugated woman, but I guess this pop-culture furniture piece expresses all the unabashed energy of the Sixties, including the era's philosophy on women's issues.

The Up Series by B&B Italia is available from Matisse.

If you're anywhere near Glasgow over the next few months, you shouldn't miss the Between Heaven and Earth: the Architecture of John Lautner exhibition. Definitely one of my personal favourite architects, Lautner's extensive residential work in the Southern California region is quite simply legendary. The exhibition promises to showcase a vast array of his works including some rare hand drawings, sketches and models. Lautner has long been overshadowed by his contemporaries such as Richard Neutra, but to me his work is far superior because of it's fantastical nature. I would be immensely happy and content living in one of his incredible masterpieces.

For more information on the exhibition go here.

This is a great design idea from German designers Nils Holger Moormann. The book-holder allows your reading material to be stacked and stored, or hung over the stand to safetly hold your page place, without the threat of tatty dog-eared pages. There's also a separate shelf for your reading libation. Genius!

Nils Holger Moormann is available locally from Katalog.

In what seems to be a growing trend, a number of incredibly talented fashion designers are employing the techniques of the centuries old craft of knitting to create their amazing garments. Jemma Sykes is one such designer. The above dress "The Elizabeth" was entirely knitted by hand, and the outcome is quite simply exquisite. The dress, designed as a bridal gown, was recently auctioned to benefit breast cancer in the UK, which makes it's dusty pink hue even more significant and appealing.

In case you missed it yesterday, our Milan report featured in the Viva section of the New Zealand Herald.  To read the full story  go here to the NZ Herald's website.

This was the sixth consecutive year that we've visited the fair, and as the only New Zealand magazine to make this annual design pilgrimage you can be guaranteed that we do it so we can deliver you the most comprehensive and concise round up on global design.

As a result, the September issue of Design Folio will be filled with literally hundreds of new products and ideas.

In the meantime, we'll keep updating you daily with the demure, the distinctive and the daring from the fascinating world of design.

Young Australian designer Brodie Neill is making waves internationally with his outstanding work. The @ Chair above has won many international design awards, including Time Magazines Top 100 most influential designs of 2008. The now London based designer is embarking on a collaboration with fashion designer Alexander McQueen, where he will transform the New York City based fashion boutique with his progressive furniture forms. We'll look forward to bringing you images of this once it's completed.

To view more of Brodie Neil's work go here.

I ran into London based New Zealand designer Phil Cuttance in Milan. Phil has just launched his Weld collection, which consists of a cabinet (above), stool and table. Employing hand crafted hot-air plastic welding techniques, each piece is unique, which is a nice departure from the typically mass produced molded plastic furniture we're so used to. Phil's work to me seems perfect amongst the Established & Sons collection, here's hoping that being London based now will bring that ideal closer.

Check out more of Phil's work here.