A Comprehensive Guide to Milan Design Week

We’ve scoured the listings and spoken to industry experts. Here is our definitive guide to making the most of Milan Design Week:

Getting there

Milan Design Week tends to get busy during the weekends, but it’s worth arriving a little earlier to attend the previews and unique activations before the city sets into full celebration mode.

Transportation

As it is a very busy time in the city, we highly recommend using public transport. Ride sharing apps and cabs often cancel, so it’s best to avoid these.

Where to stay

Mandarin Oriental Milan

www.mandarinoriental.com

Located close to Teatro La Scala, the Mandarin Oriental Milan designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel Interiors blends contemporary Italian elegance with timeless oriental luxury and impeccable service. Nestled within four restored 18th-century buildings, this intimate and contemporary hotel exudes a refined residential charm. Its 104 stylish rooms and suites offer some of the most spacious accommodations in the city. Located on Via Andegari, just steps from the fashionable Via Manzoni and Montenapoleone, the hotel provides seamless access to Milan’s premier fashion, commercial, and cultural hubs, with it being less than a 20-minute walk to the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Sforza Castle.

Bulgari Hotel Milano

www.bulgarihotels.com

Nestled on Via Privata Fratelli Gabba, Bulgari Hotel Milano seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary elegance. Housed in a meticulously renovated 18th-century Milanese palazzo, the interiors exude refined sophistication, brought to life through a rich palette of materials—Zimbabwean black marble, Vicenza and Afyon stone, teak, and oak. These elements create a striking interplay of textures and tones, enhanced by bespoke furnishings and detailing by ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. The hotel’s more recent refresh introduces cream-coloured linen wallpaper, sleek furniture from Antonio Citterio’s Flexform Collection, Maxalto, and B&B Italia, and meticulously curated touches that celebrate Bulgari’s legacy. Framed sketches of the brand’s iconic jewellery adorn each room, while the suites feature a carefully selected collection of art and design books, reinforcing the hotel’s timeless yet contemporary aesthetic.

Armani Hotel

www.armanihotels.com

Located at the fashionable Via Manzoni, the Armani Hotel in Milan, the entire hotel is classically Armani. Neutral tones take centre stage with interiors furnished by Armani/Casa throughout, with understated elegance taking centre fold. Despite being in a bustling area, there is a sense of tranquillity that occurs when you enter the space.

Portrait Milano

www.lungarnocollection.com/portrait-milano-hotel/

Owned by the Ferragamo family,Porttrait Milano was formerly an Archiepiscopal Seminary at 11, Corso Venezia. Built in 1564 in a strategic central location, it is Europe’s oldest seminary. Featuring a baroque entrance designed by Francesco Maria Richini in 1652, a double colonnaded loggia frames the piazza that follows. To develop it into a hotel, the Ferragamo family entrusted the entire renovation project for the hotel’s interior to Florentine architect Michele Bönan. Contemporary meets history at this remarkable hotel.

Casa Baglioni

milan.baglionihotels.com

Located in the artistic Brera district which is central to all the action during Milan Design Week, Casa Baglioni has lots of character. Inspired by 1960s Milan, the rooms feature a sense of Italian savoir faire and modern design. The decor includes lighting by Panzeri, Rubelli wallpaper, Dedas fabrics, and taps by Zuchetti.

The insider’s take

We asked three regular fair attenders on what to experience during Milan Design Week:

Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design

“If I could choose one thing, it would be Alcova!” Degn-Christensen shares. A must-visit for contemporary design lovers, this year, Alcova will expand its footprint with two new sites: the former SNIA Factory and the Pasino Glasshouses. These additions introduce raw, textured environments where nature is slowly reclaiming its space, creating a layered dialogue between past and present. Degn-Christensen also looks forward to seeing Hermes at La Pelota.

Esra Lemmens, Founder of Esra Lemmens Agency

Lemmens recommends visiting ‘Masterly’, held at the Palazzo dei Giureconsulti. This pavilion  offers some of the best design and artisan craftsmanship that the Netherlands has to offer. Lemmens also suggests Triennale.”Triennale is always something I always make time for. It is a bit more for the intellectuals, which I prefer over the great trendy fashion houses,” she shares. Nilufar Gallery is also on her must-visit list every year.

Sharmine Khan, Senior Partnerships Manager at identity

When it comes to visiting Milan for the first time, visiting the Duomo is a must-do. “It would be hard to miss the iconic Duomo while visiting Milan.” shares Sharmine Khan, Senior Partnerships Manager at identity. “It is the heart of Milan with plenty of bustling shops and restaurants.” Other popular activities to sightsee include seeing ‘The Last Supper’ at the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Walking around a lot both within the fair and outside may call for some rest and relaxation. The QC Terme spa housed in a former tram depot hosts an underground lair where you can enjoy your spa experience amongst ruins. Of course, no Milan design trip is complete without a visit to the ADI Design museum.

Khan recommends Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for an unbeatable atmosphere for shopping. Built by architect Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1877, its beautiful glass dome that lets light in is breathtaking. “It’s both art and luxury under one roof.” she shares. She also recommends taking a leisurely walk by the canals in the Navigili district in the late afternoon with a gelato, giving you a scoop of ‘La Dolce Vita’.

Salone del Mobile.Milano

Atlas Concorde 

At the fair, Atlas Concorde will present its  Marvel Diva collection. Continuous innovation, technological research, Italian style, international vocation and social and environmental responsibility define the company’s codes. 

Visit the brand at Hall 03 Stand C21 – C19 

LEMA

Lema, a historic brand led by the Meroni family for generations, is entering a new phase of its journey. The arrival of the fourth generation, combined with a fresh industrial plan and A++’s artistic direction, marks a significant step in shaping the brand’s identity. Lema will unveil its 2025 innovations at Salone del Mobile. This will be an opportunity to expand and enhance its range of modular systems. The spotlight will be on L25, a freestanding system designed to seamlessly furnish both day and night areas, alongside a series of new products tailored to different design needs.

Visit the brand at Hall 11, Stand B15 C20

Bonaldo 

This quintessential Italian brand is animated by the ethos of bringing ideas to life and crafting objects that epitomise the essence of modern living. At its heart, Bonaldo specialises in manufacturing tables, chairs, sofas, beds, accessories and lighting that pulsate with vibrant and distinctive design. Launches will include the Taijitu table by Spazioameno, Youpi stool designed by Fabrice Berrux, and a Boolean armchair by Giuseppe Vigano. 

Visit the brand at Hall 9 – G09/H08. 

Minotti  

The 2025 collection will involve releases of new pieces from Marcio Kogan / Studio MK27, Giampiero Tagliaferri, Hannes Peer, Nendo, and GamFratesi. 

Visit the brand at Hall 11 – Stand  E15  G12  G16  E27  G22 

Talenti Home 

Going against the market trend, top high-end outdoor furniture brand Talenti comes to Milan to preview Alma, its first indoor collection where attention to detail is confirmed as an intrinsic feature in the brand’s DNA. Signed by Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba, the Alma sofa blends modernity and tradition, creating a cosy and delicate piece of furniture. As the name (which is Spanish for ‘soul’) recalls, this proposal aims to create an ideal parallel between the interior of a home and that of a person, a sort of introspective journey between emotions and sensations amplified by the magnifying glass called design. “Alma stands out for its sinuous and harmonious sculptural forms with rounded corners that accentuate its soft and welcoming appearance. Its presence is immediately recognisable, with a design that expresses a strong character. Its nature and design are decidedly bolder and more provocative than more traditional solutions, while recalling some forms and trends of the past, but in a way that does not compromise its uniqueness. Alma does not simply furnish the space, but transforms it, defining its own bold and unmistakable identity, capable of dialoguing with the contemporary context in a powerful and innovative way,” say the designers. 

Visit the brand at the fair at Pad 22 – Stand A31-A35. 

Oikos Venezia 

Oikos Venezia will present itself at the fair with ‘Entrance Architecture’, which speaks the language of furniture by launching a preview of a proposal for furniture items that characterise the entrance space. This preview aims to explore and gather feedback on possible future scenarios.  

Visit the brand at Hall 05, Stand A05. 

Sans Souci

At Euroluce2025, Czech design company Sans Souci will invite visitors on a journey ‘Beyond Perception’, exploring the interplay between light, perception, and reality to reveal how design shapes the way we see the world. At the heart of the installation lies the essence of creation, exploration, and imagination, embodied by three iconic historical figures – Vincent van Gogh, Galileo Galilei, and Bedřich Smetana – each representing a unique way of transforming the world through vision and innovation.

Visit the brand at Hall 4, Booth D06, Euroluce 2025

Porro 

Deep roots and a contemporary vision come together in the 2025 collection, with Porro building a bridge to the future. This includes the introduction of new sofas by Piero Lissoni and Francesco Rota that bring a whole new language of comfort and softness; Porro’s living spaces that enhance the brand’s upholstered furniture offering for both residential and contract use; and sculptural furnishings by Piero Lissoni and Dordoni Architetti that represent ‘missing pieces’ within the brand’s collections. Additionally, the continuous evolution of the company’s architectural systems, in synergy with the Glide sliding, fixed and pivot partitions, enables Porro to go beyond the limits of traditional furniture, embracing the concept of a fluid home. 

Visit the brand at the fair at Hall 11 – D15, D18 

Fuorisalone: Porro Showroom, Via Uberto Visconti di Modrone, 29. 

Fast 

Fast is an Italian brand specialising in the creation of outdoor furniture made from aluminium. The company is based in Valle Sabbia, near Lake Garda, and has a strong connection to the local area and its natural surroundings, drawing inspiration from it to create furniture that conveys the joy of living outdoors. The brand’s identity is shaped by its dedication to the essence of the territory, where the breathtaking scenery serves as a continuous source of inspiration. This year, Fast celebrates thirty years of operation and is guided by its creative directors, architects and designers Francesco Meda and David Lopez Quincoces. On the occasion of the Milan Design Week 2025, the brand is presenting several range extensions, including the introduction of low tables in various sizes within the Naca collection, and the expansion of sunbed offerings in the Solaris collection. Among the highlights is the new modular sofa system with a reclining backrest, designed to make every outdoor space unique. 

Visit the brand at Hall 24, D10 or in the
city at Via Cesare Battisti 1 – Milano Durini Design District 

Fuorisalone 

Casa Cork 

Rockwell Group, the renowned NYC-based architecture and interior design studio, will unveil ‘Casa Cork’ – an immersive installation showcasing the vast potential of cork as a sustainable material at Milan Design Week 2025. An immersive installation, events programme and student competition will be curated by Rockwell Group and the Cork Collective in collaboration with Corticeira Amorim. As visitors explore cork and its extensive potential, they will be immersed in interiors, furnishings, lighting and student prototypes crafted almost entirely from this remarkable material. The dramatic centrepiece of ‘Casa Cork’ is a lifelike replica of a monumental cork tree made from reclaimed virgin cork bark, which seamlessly connects a multitude of cork products to this wonder of the natural world. An unfolding journey brings the world of cork to life in a sensory touch gallery; a tactile workshop narrates cork’s origin story and showcases the possibilities for innovation; and a salon, a welcoming bar and event space, offers visitors tastings, meals and discussions about design and a zero-waste future. Address: 31 Via Solferino. 

Moooi 

Bredaquaranta, a leading player in the retail sector of furniture and interior design, has signed a new partnership with Moooi, the legendary Dutch brand founded in 2001 by Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers. The renowned Northern European company has chosen Bredaquaranta, led by Davide D’avico, following numerous successful collaborations with international design giants. Moooi is known for its always original, unexpected, eclectic, rebellious and sophisticated collections that push the boundaries of commercial reality and cultural interest, offering a curated mix that defines the personality of spaces.  

The new Moooi flagship store will open its first Milanese location at Via Turati 2. 

Karl Lagerfeld Maison 

Karl Lagerfeld Maison will unveil the next chapter of the Wellen collection, expanding its collaboration with guest designer Toan Nguyen. The exclusive presentation will take place at the Karl Lagerfeld Maison showroom, in the vibrant heart of Milan’s design scene. Following its debut during Milan Design Week 2024, the collection is enriched with twelve new pieces named K-Wellen, inspired by the iconic shape of the letter ‘K’. This new line embodies the minimalist elegance that defines Karl Lagerfeld’s DNA, reinterpreted through sophisticated and contemporary design. The distinctive ‘K’ silhouette defines a variety of furnishings, including sideboards, consoles, mirrors, tables, shelves and upholstered pieces, creating a harmonious dialogue between essential geometries and premium materials. The standout feature? Metallic finishes that add bold character and a strong aesthetic identity, perfectly aligned with the famous couturier’s futuristic vision. This collection represents a further exploration of Karl Lagerfeld’s passion for architecture and avantgarde design, merging contemporary creativity with outstanding artisanal quality.

Address: Via Passione 8. 

Paola Lenti 

Ritrovarsi is Paola Lenti’s project for the 2025 edition of Milano Design Week. It is an opportunity for new experiences and discoveries that the company offers to visitors at Paola Lenti Milano, inviting them to reconnect with space and time through a carefully designed chromatic path. The indoor and outdoor collections unfold within a coherent and layered project, where the relationship between architecture and nature allows thoughts to flow in harmony with the surrounding beauty, evoking a sense of balance and wonder. 

Address: via Giovanni Bovio, 28 

Buccellati  

Buccellati will present ‘Naturalia’, an immersive exhibition curated by Balich Wonder Studio that celebrates the timeless beauty of nature and craftsmanship. The exhibit features site-specific settings and soundscapes, inviting visitors to explore Buccellati Silver Nature, an experience enriched by botanical art installations from Studio Mary Lennox. ‘Naturalia’ highlights one of the Maison’s most renowned silver collections, Furry Animals, which masterfully recreates the textures of fur and feathers, as well as ancient engraving techniques such as modellato and ornato. 

Address: Via Brisa 5 

Antolini 

The marble brand invites visitors to discover natural stone in an unprecedented form that pays tribute to the grandeur of nature and human genius, showcasing its collaborations with Murran Billi and Bang & Olufsen. 

Address: Antolini Duomo of Milan, Piazza Fontana corner of Via San Clemente. 

Zucchetti 

Historic Italian tap brand Zucchetti opens the doors of its new showroom in the beating heart of the city, and unveils its new products for the bathroom: a collection of taps designed by the renowned studio Yabu Pushelberg, a refined series of shower heads designed by Francesco and Alberto Meda, and an innovative shower system developed by Matteo Fiorini with Studio Lys, responsible for the brand’s creative direction. Address: Corso Venezia, 29. 

Cassina 

Marking the 60th anniversary of Cassina’s production of the Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand Collection, and realised in collaboration with the Le Corbusier Foundation and the heirs of Jeanneret and Perriand, ‘Staging Modernity’ will debut as a theatrical performance and installation at Milan Design Week. Curated by Formafantasma and directed by Fabio Cherstich, this immersive experience will pay tribute to Cassina’s pioneering craftsmanship and its enduring influence on contemporary design. Through a thought-provoking intervention, Formafantasma challenges the contradictions between Modernist ideals and today’s shifting realities, reinterpreting the legacy of industrial rationalism through a lens of ecological consciousness. Throughout the week, a dynamic theatrical performance directed by Cherstich will unfold, weaving together commissioned texts by philosopher Emanuele Coccia, architect and curator Andrés Jaque, and architect-artist Feifei Zhou (terriStories). Address: Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber, Via Larga, 14 

Roche Bobois 

Roche Bobois will present the Cromática collection, an exceptional collaboration with award-winning Spanish film director Pedro Almodóvar and actress Rossy de Palma. 

Address: Durini Design District, Via Felice Cavallotti, 14