Laila Gohar decorates carousel with oversized fruits for Arket collaboration

Designer Laila Gohar has transformed a traditional carousel by swapping its original figures for oversized fruits and vegetables in celebration of her first ready-to-wear collection, launching at Milan design week with fashion brand Arket.

The start of the design week saw plenty of visitors enjoy the carousel, which is on show in Milan’s Giardino delle Arti and was described by Swedish brand Arket as “part sculpture, part interactive stage set”.

It featured an oversized radish, pear, aubergine and fig, among other fruit and vegetables, and was conceived to celebrate Gohar‘s first-ever ready-to-wear collection. An Arket flag at the top of the merry-go-round nods to the collaboration.

“The work centres on a reimagined fairground ride, with its figures replaced by oversized fruit and vegetables – bringing together a shared interest in food, playfulness and everyday beauty, shaped through Gohar’s theatrical language,” Arket said.

The installation comprises an original German carousel, believed to be from the late 1700s, with intricate floral illustrations and festive fairground lights, and updated with the fruit-shaped seats.

For Gohar, the intention was to create an installation that people could experience physically.

“‘We wanted to create something open and inclusive – something that invites people in, rather than asks them to observe from a distance,” Gohar said.

“A carousel felt like a natural way to do that.”

“It’s familiar, physical, and meant to be shared,” the designer continued.

“I’ve always been drawn to the idea of beauty as something accessible in the everyday, often shaped by surprise and excitement, which made this collaboration feel very natural.”

Gohar first became known for her surreal food sculptures before moving into homeware design.

She has previously created a kitchenware collection for Danish brand Hay and, at last year’s Milan design week, Gohar teamed up with Finnish brand Marimekko on an installation that centred around a giant bed.

Her Arket collection, which launched 21 April, nods to her focus on food design with items such as aprons and a work jacket.

The photography is courtesy of Arket.

The carousel will be open to the public from 20 April to 24 April 2026 at Giardino delle Arti, Via Aldo Palazzeschi, 00137 Rome, Italy. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.

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