Milan 2016: Italian architect Matteo Thun joins a growing list of designers launching their own brands, with this customisable furniture and lighting collection focused on handmade products (+ slideshow).

Thun, whose architecture, interiors and product design studio is based in Milan, is launching his own brand during the city's design week.

The Matteo Thun Atelier line includes upholstered armchairs and sofas, wooden chairs and decorative ceramic and glass objects designed for use in the home as well as healthcare and hospitality environments.

Prospective buyers can select the materials and finishes for many of the items, choosing from a range of fabrics and wood.

The collection is, according to its founder, "all about handcrafted design". The Chiavarina range of seating features handmade wooden chairs, while striped vases have been hand-blown in Venice and ceramic totems are made by Tuscan potters.

"My passion for craftsmanship inspired me to create Matteo Thun Atelier," the designer told Dezeen.

"We wanted to share our experience from architecture and design with the knowledge of the craftsman’s companies from Italy."

The collection also includes brightly-coloured decorative birds made from Murano glass, available as single items or grouped together in a glass tree.

The lighting range features lampshades handmade from pleated silk or linen, set on ceramic, marble or hand-blown glass bases.

"During Milan design week the city becomes very international and visitors from all angles of the business come here," added Thun. "That week Milan is full of energy – we feel that's an ideal moment to show what we do."

Thun is the latest in a growing list of designers launching their own brands. British designer Sebastian Wrong has set up a new lighting company called Wrong London, and Stefano Giovannoni has founded internet-based plastic furniture brand Qeeboo.

Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune is also part of the trend, launching its Smaller Objects label in 2015, and recently announcing a business model that would allow designers to earn 75 per cent of the proceeds of their products.

Matteo Thun Atelier products can be viewed at a number of locations across Milan during design week, which runs from 11 to 17 April.

A selection of furniture and lighting aimed at the hotel industry is on show at Bredaquaranta Brerastore, via Fratabenefretelli, limited-edition pieces are displayed at the Salvatori showroom on via Solferino, ceramics are on show at Dilmos on Piazza San Marco, Murano glass objects can be seen at Oro on via San Fermo, and a further Atelier Matteo Thun selection of pieces are at Il Valore Aggiunto, via Mameli.

Other new launches taking place in Milan during design week include the debut of Swarovski's home accessories range which includes a centrepiece by the late Zaha Hadid, and a new flat-pack sofa designed by the Bouroullec brothers for Hay.

Photography is by Marco Bertolini.