Alessi Conversational Objects cutlery set
Last updated: 18 October 2026
Conversational Objects is a 16-piece cutlery set that Virgil Abloh designed for Alessi, with a matt steel holder shaped like a giant threaded bolt. The Alessi Conversational Objects set has four each of knives, forks, spoons and small spoons, and you assemble the holder yourself. On Amazon UK it was £266.99 from a third-party seller, against £300 direct from Alessi.
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What the Alessi Conversational Objects set is
Alessi showed Conversational Objects at Milan Design Week in 2023, Abloh's second project with the Italian brand. The collection runs to plates and a candlestick too, all in the same matt stainless steel.
Alessi describes the set as "toolsets for the dining table". The cutlery and holder have a matt finish meant to recall the tools used to make them, and the holder looks like something from a garage workbench.
The idea, in Alessi's words, is that the table works as "a theatre for dialogue", with the odd objects giving people something to talk about.
Key facts
- Designer: Virgil Abloh, for Alessi
- In the set: four table knives, four forks, four spoons and four small spoons, plus the holder
- Materials: cutlery in 18/10 stainless steel; holder in 18/8 stainless steel
- Finish: matt
- Assembly: the holder arrives in parts and you put it together
- Price: £266.99 on Amazon UK from a third-party seller, or £300 from Alessi UK
Who it suits
- Fans of Virgil Abloh: a piece of his design work for the home that is still sold new.
- Design-minded hosts: the bolt holder sits on the table as a talking point.
- Wedding lists: a full set for four in one box.
For more presents for people who notice how things are made, see our gifts for designers guide.
The limits
£300 buys only four place settings, which is steep for cutlery.
The Amazon listing is from a third-party seller, not Amazon itself, and its title is a jumble of product codes. Check the seller's delivery terms before you order, or buy from Alessi direct.
Matt steel shows water marks and fingerprints more readily than polished steel.
The holder needs assembling, so it is not ready to use straight from the box.
Where to buy it in the UK
Amazon UK lists the set as Alessi VA02 SET, sold by the LADUEMILA Concept Store. Alessi's UK shop sells it direct for £300. Alessi's Milan Design Week 2023 story covers the launch.
Conversational Objects on Amazon UK
FAQs
How much is the Alessi Conversational Objects cutlery set?
£300 from Alessi UK. Amazon UK had it for £266.99 from a third-party seller.
Who designed it?
Virgil Abloh designed it for Alessi. It launched at Milan Design Week in 2023.
What is in the set?
Four knives, four forks, four spoons and four small spoons, plus a bolt-shaped stainless steel holder.
Is it dishwasher safe?
Alessi's listing does not say, so check the care leaflet in the box before putting it in the dishwasher.
Does the holder need assembling?
Yes. Alessi says the owner assembles the holder, a nod to its industrial design.
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I checked the prices and stock on Amazon and Alessi on 18 October 2026. The affiliate links on this page earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and brands do not choose what we feature.
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