Connecticut-based furniture designers Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows have opened their first retail shop in Milan. Situated among the design ateliers and boutiques in the Brera District, the intimate shop is part of Exits, an adventurous Milanese gallery, event, and exhibition space that has showcased the work of many of the world’s most acclaimed designers. Founding member of the Memphis movement, Michele De Lucchi often used the space for one-off design exhibitions and pop-up events. The contrast of BassamFellows’ smooth, hand-finished woods and soft leathers against the Exit’s rough and crumbling walls is a dynamic we find particularly appealing. ‘The whole idea for us was to have a space we could have fun with,’ explains Fellows.

In addition to displaying bestsellers from their collection such as the CB-50 Club Chair, the CB-51 Wing Chair, the Mantis Chair and CB-41 Daybed, BassamFellows has launched a line of shoes and sunglasses. ‘There are certain products we love but couldn’t find,’ says Fellows, who cut his fashion teeth as creative director at Bally over a decade ago, before launching BassamFellows with his architect partner Bassam in 2003. ‘So we decided to make them.’