Ever since it was established as a fair for furniture makers and designers in 1961, Salone del Mobile (best known as Milan Design Week) has lured design lovers and those seeking creative inspiration alike. Championing craftsmanship and pioneering vision, it has grown rapidly, with more than 300,000 visiting the exhibition ground at Rho Fiera last year.
Part of Salone’s success is that it consistently updates itself and introduces new features. This year’s edition from 21-26 April, for example, will introduce Salone Raritas, opening the fair to limited-edition design and elevated creative manufacturing.
Coinciding with kitchen design fair EuroCucina, and the International Bathroom Exhibition, Salone has expanded to include fringe events (Fuorisalone) throughout Milan, with industry parties, independent design exhibitions, open showrooms, workshops, talks, pop-up cafés and shops all thriving in the city.
Designers and brands often set their exhibits against the backdrop of Milan’s grand palazzi. Last year, for example, the Japanese watchmakers at Grand Seiko collaborated with designer Tokujin Yoshioka on “Frozen”, a sculptural club armchair carved from ice and displayed alongside the brand’s timepieces at the 16th-century terracotta Palazzo Landriani.
Likewise, Milan’s museums make the most of Salone. The Triennale Milano will have ongoing shows in April while pop-up exhibition, Alcova will take place at the old military hospital complex in Baggio and the Franco Albini masterpiece, Villa Pestarini.
Further adding to the joy of the festival are “design districts” like Brera, where you’ll find sculptural installations in quiet courtyards. Meanwhile, Tortona has its own design week during Salone and Isola, just north of Porta Garibaldi, has emerged as an area that tends to spotlight up-and-coming designers.
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