Roche Bobois Unveils a Bold New Outdoor Vision at Milan Design Week 2026

At Milan Design Week 2026, Roche Bobois stakes a confident claim in the evolving language of outdoor living, unveiling a collection that reframes terraces, gardens, and poolside settings as fully realised extensions of contemporary interiors. With a focus on bold expression, refined savoir-faire, and uncompromising comfort, the new range articulates an elegant yet forward-looking vision of design under open skies.

The collection unfolds across two distinct yet complementary narratives. At its core is Catalina, a complete outdoor line by American designer Stephen Burks, whose long-standing dialogue with the maison continues to evolve. Alongside it, the enduring collaboration with Italian house Missoni expands into Formentera, a vibrant series of seating pieces defined by an expressive interplay of colour, material, and pattern.

For Roche Bobois, this dual offering is less a seasonal launch than a statement of intent. As Group Executive Director Éric Amourdedieu notes, the brand’s trajectory has always been shaped by a desire to embrace singular creative voices. In Burks, that philosophy finds a natural counterpart—his work grounded in a multicultural perspective and an enduring commitment to craftsmanship that introduces a distinctly human dimension to design.

Few designers embody this intersection of industry and artistry as convincingly as Burks. Born in Chicago in 1969, his practice bridges industrial production and artisanal tradition, informed by studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Columbia University. Since founding his Brooklyn-based studio in 1997—now known as Stephen Burks Man Made—he has cultivated a collaborative methodology that brings together global craft traditions with contemporary manufacturing processes. Techniques such as weaving, basketry, and cord work are not merely referenced but embedded into designs intended for modern production, creating objects that resonate culturally as much as they function aesthetically.

His relationship with Roche Bobois dates back to 2014, marking the brand’s first collaboration with an American designer and signalling its growing presence in the United States. Since then, Burks’ work has been exhibited at leading institutions, from the High Museum of Art in Atlanta to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, while his inclusion in the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale further cemented his global relevance. Accolades—including the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Award and the 2026 Wallpaper* Design Award—underscore a career defined by both innovation and inclusivity.

With Catalina, Burks returns to Roche Bobois with a collection that distills his ethos into a tactile, outdoor context. Defined by soft curves and generously proportioned frames, the pieces evoke a sensuous, enveloping comfort while maintaining a structural clarity that feels both strong and timeless. The result is a collection that seamlessly extends the brand’s indoor identity into the exterior realm—luxurious yet approachable, crafted yet contemporary.

In parallel, Formentera channels the unmistakable spirit of Missoni, where vivid textiles and dynamic patterns animate sculptural seating forms. Here, the emphasis shifts toward a bold, almost celebratory expression of outdoor living, where colour and craftsmanship converge to create spaces that feel as spirited as they are sophisticated.

Together, these collections reaffirm Roche Bobois’ commitment to expanding the boundaries of design. By pairing Burks’ deeply human, craft-driven approach with Missoni’s vibrant visual language, the brand offers a compelling vision of the outdoors—not as an afterthought, but as a fully realised stage for contemporary life.