Salone Raritas: Strengthening Design Affinities

During the influential India Art Fair in New Delhi (5-8 February), the organisers of Salone del Mobile.Milano presented Salone Raritas, a curatorial platform that will debut at the 64th edition of the famous trade fair in Milan with the aim of connecting Indian collectors with Italian professional architects, interior designers, developers and hospitality and contract professionals.

Salone Raritas has been conceived as a meeting place for design, manufacturing excellence, cultural narration and research-driven design, as Annalisa Rosso, Editorial Director and Cultural Events Advisor for the Salone del Mobile, explained: “Collectible design represents a new area of dialogue between Italy and India. This platform will give voice to a production combining identity, research, cultural value and new business prospects, bringing unique pieces, limited editions, high craftsmanship and antiques to the Salone del Mobile for the first time. The Indian market has a natural affinity with this new venture.”

In Mumbai on 10 February, ‘Shaping Luxury Spaces: Italian Design for India’s Real Estate & Hospitality Market’ turned the spotlight to the contract sector where, the organisers say, Italy and India increasingly find common ground in terms of quality, architectural vision and attention to detail.

Salone del Mobile.Milano will take place from 21 to 26 April 2026 at Rho Fiera Milano. India’s presence at the event continues to grow, with almost 4,500 professionals attending. Italy is the second largest EU country in terms of furniture exports to India and one of only a few to have a trade surplus.

Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, concluded: “India is a young, rapidly changing country, with stakeholders who display a marked feeling for design, quality, tailor-made solutions and services with high cultural content. We are strengthening a shared vision and the Salone del Mobile.Milano’s role as a benchmark platform between the Made in Italy system and a rapidly evolving market.”