For Daniel Nikolovski, founder of Milan-based brand TRAGA, launching a design studio wasn’t just about adding new objects to the market—it was about rethinking the typologies themselves. “Glassware remains quite traditional,” he explains. “TRAGA is a response to that.” Drawing from years of experience in interior design and material experimentation, Nikolovski sought to challenge the conventions of everyday design by merging brutalist influence with the wit and refinement of Italian product culture.
At the heart of TRAGA’s identity is a visual language shaped by stark contrasts: the sculptural monumentality of brutalism, inspired by his hometown Skopje, meets the hyper-functionality and playfulness of Italian postmodernism. The result is a collection of hybrid objects—bold in form, yet approachable in use. “Our first three products are dual-purpose pieces,” he says. “We experimented with combining a martini and a champagne glass, or an ashtray and a fruit bowl. It was more about the concept than the final look at first.”
But the goal wasn’t to be conceptual for the sake of it. “Many multipurpose objects tend to be quite unattractive,” Nikolovski admits. “So we pushed our research further to achieve a true balance between function and form.” Each TRAGA piece speaks to an underlying design value: making daily rituals more meaningful, more expressive, and more fun.
As a young brand, TRAGA embraces its informal edge. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” he says. “We want to actively engage with the creative community.” Based in Milan but outward-looking, the studio collaborates with emerging talents across borders, building what Nikolovski calls “a strong network of like-minded creatives.” Looking ahead, TRAGA plans to dive deeper into the world of tableware, continuing to bring personality, provocation, and thoughtful utility to the contemporary design landscape.
ll visuals accompanying this article are drawn from the editorial project ‘UNSCRIPTED_AESTHETICS’ produced by DEORON, capturing design objects within an evocative and vibrant urban narrative.
