AT THE recently concluded Milan Design Week, whose main event is the Salone del Mobile – the world’s most prestigious home furnishing and design fair – luxury fashion brands were abuzz with activity.

Bottega Veneta, perhaps hinting at its intention to penetrate the home category, shut its flagship store on Milan’s Via Montenapoleone so master architect and design pioneer Gaetano Pesce could turn it into an art installation featuring two limited-edition handbags he designed.

Meanwhile, from Hermes and Loewe to Fendi and Dior, hallowed names in fashion were holding activations and exhibitions, working to carve out more territory that’s ripe for the taking.