The architect and designer Luciana Texeira presents the “!Saudade” collection at Fuorisalone 2026, inspired by personal and collective memories, and the “!Rio dos Cocares” rug, which pays tribute to the indigenous peoples and biomes of Mato Grosso do Sul.

“Saudade” is one of the most evocative and well-known words in the Portuguese language. Recited in verse, sung in songs and frequently uttered by Portuguese speakers, it expresses a complex feeling: a mixture of nostalgia, fond memories and, at times, hope — not necessarily sadness.

“Saudade” is also the name – a most fitting one – of one of the innovative and poetic projects that Brazilian architect and designer Luciana Teixeira is presenting at the “IA – Artisanal Intelligence – Inteligencia Artesanal” exhibition in the Brera Design District, from 20 to 26 April, during Milan Design Week. Using a contemporary language, she translates ancient artisanal knowledge and applies it to product design: thus, craftsmanship and industry go hand in hand, drawing on sustainable processes and circular design strategies.

“SAUDADE” COLLECTION – COLLECTIVE HERITAGE, AFFECTION AND EXCHANGE AS INSPIRATION

Produced with the expertise of Bel Metais, based in Santa Catarina, the “Saudade” armchair stands out for its refined and compact elegance. The piece is a synthesis of original design, craftsmanship and industrial feasibility. The macramé element, masterfully crafted by local artisan Tassiana Kellner using 100% cotton thread, is applied by hand to the tubular backrest, lending it authenticity and value.

With a stainless steel frame enhanced by a gold finish, an interior of marine plywood and eucalyptus wood, and a fabric upholstery, the creation balances beauty, ergonomics and technique. The result is a modern armchair, designed to offer the best user experience, which reflects the designer’s ability to connect local identity with an international aesthetic.

The homônimas light —unique pieces, bespoke-designed by the Luciana Teixeira Design studio, in partnership with architect and maker Maristela Cristaldo for the final assembly—stem from an exercise in reinterpreting traditional crochet ‘centrinhos’, pointing to new directions for this type of material.

Supplied from the archives of the API (Association of Artisans of Praça dos Imigrantes) in Campo Grande (MS), the elements are combined with a wooden frame featuring an electrical system and a filament bulb. The result is pieces of a delicate and poetic nature, which explore light and shadow to create welcoming atmospheres.

The entire collection was designed with the products’ entire life cycle in mind – from the selection of high-quality raw materials to ease of dismantling and disposal, to the possibility of recycling, without forgetting the emotional connection with the consumer that lifts the object beyond the logic of the ephemeral.

“The ‘Saudade’ project draws inspiration from the women in my family and so many others across Brazil. It speaks of objects woven over months within homes and then displayed on the walls,” explains Luciana. “These are skills passed down through generations, which inhabit our visual repertoire and deserve recognition as cultural heritage. Perpetuating this artisanal wisdom is an act of resistance in a world that numbs us with screens, keyboards and digital interactions,” she adds.

Luciana also recalls moments from her childhood when her mother and aunts would gather around the fireplace in southern Brazil to knit. “These practices also have a therapeutic role, as working with one’s hands is rewarding and can generate income, strengthening the creative economy,” she says.

The “Saudade” project arose from research funded by the FMIC (Municipal Cultural Investment Fund) of Campo Grande (MS) and included a significant social component: the organisation of art therapy workshops at the SHIRFA Care Home, in partnership with visual artist Lígia Rocha. The initiative reinforces a characteristic that is ever-present in Luciana’s projects — the link between research and social responsibility.

“They were incredible moments of togetherness and learning. Knowing that this collection is the result of such a meaningful exchange moves me deeply,” reveals Luciana.

“RIO DOS COCARES” RUG – THE SOUL OF A STATE IN AN OBJECT

The other international launch by Luciana Teixeira during the “IA – Artisanal Intelligence” exhibition in Milan is the “Rio dos Cocares” rug, created at the invitation of Tapetah. Since 2023, the São Paulo-based brand has been developing the “Abraça Brasil” project, which brings together talent from Brazil’s 26 states, as well as the Federal District, to create the patterns for its annual collection. The aim is to celebrate the country’s cultural diversity and reinterpret the home as a welcoming space and a source of creative power.

In the 2026 edition, under the theme “Terra da Gente”, Luciana represents Mato Grosso do Sul.
The designer’s creation is an “ode” to the state in the Midwest, with its lush nature and profound histories, interwoven by the strength of its indigenous peoples and the waters of the Paraguay River — which, in the stretch where it crosses the Pantanal, is also known as the “Rio dos Cocares”.
The carpet’s design evokes the river’s winding flow, whilst the colours recall the biomes of the Pantanal, Cerrado and Chaco. Territory and identity are interpreted in a product brimming with fascination.

Henry Borzi