With an already illustrious design heritage, Milan will be spurred into full creative force this week during Milan Design Week 2025 (8 to 13 April).
In its finest form, design embodies the intention to shape reality for the better; it is an opportunity to share in the curiosity and surprise of innovation, and there are few cities that use aesthetics as a medium for adventure and advancement quite like Milan.
Emanating from the long-established furniture trade show, Salone del Mobile, which was founded in 1961 and quickly became – and remains – a vanguard of art and design, Milan Design Week is driven by a collective desire to exhibit the best in design, craft and furnishings.
Over the coming week, Milan will welcome leading names across art, interiors, architecture and fashion, but to attend the Salone furniture fair alone would be to omit a host of design launches, fringe events, panel discussions and unveilings taking place across the city this month.
Including new talks and kiosks, immersive installations, and art exhibitions, as well as the best design-led stays, eateries, and nights out, these are the hottest spots for Milan Design Week 2025.
What To See
Library of Light by Es Devlin
Es Devlin, the mastermind behind the well-loved immersive exhibition, the Gucci Cosmos, is affording her otherworldly creativity at the Salone del Mobile this year with this kinetic installation. Titled Library of Light, the sculpture contains over 3,000 volumes of books each themed around “thoughts for humans” that will be illuminated by cylindrical columns of light. The installation is housed at Cortile d’Onore, where many iconic Milanese spots connect, from the Academy of Fine Arts and the Braidense National Library.
Villa Héritage by Pierre-Yves Rochon
The artist behind the world’s most luxury hospitality projects (hello, newly refurbished Waldorf Astoria New York, Four Seasons George V, among others) is bringing an immersive experience, akin to an entire villa, to Milan. The installation spans several rooms and brands, and will also feature a series of daily piano concerts.
Completedworks, Villa Borsani
British jewellery brand Completedworks will launch its first foray into furniture at Milan Design Week 2025, at Villa Borsani. Just like the brand’s jewellery, these pieces will be emotive and sculptural, inspired by both the creative feminine forces that the brand champions as well as the practicality of the everyday. Ten pieces will be on display exhibiting a range of materials from bronze to foam.
Milano Moda Design
Complementing the busy Milan Design Week 2025 schedule is Milano Moda Design, showcasing home collections by luxury fashion heritage houses. Digital, sustainable, and experimental innovation meet here, with the likes of Louis Vuitton showcasing Objets Nomandes, Gucci’s Bamboo Encounters exhibition, and Prada Frames by Prada, among others.
Design Kiosk, Piazza della Scala
The Design Kiosk seeks to expand the cultural ties between the design week and Milan’s wider public. In 2025 it will be housed in the historic Piazza della Scala, the kiosk will offer a place to convene for presentations, talks, and displays of independent magazines, books, and design.
Robert Wilson: Mother
Mother | Bob Wilson
Honoured with the task of opening the Salone 2025 at Museo della Pietà Rondanini – Castello Sforzesco, Mother by Robert Wilson uses light and sound (with music by Arvo Pärt) via art dedicated to Michelangelo’s masterpiece. The exhibit will be displayed via a series of 30-minute performances until 13 April, available to book.
Talks and Round Tables: Drafting Futures
After a successful 2024, Talks and Round Tables is returning this year, to accompany the designers on display with a packed programme titled Drafting Futures: Conversations about Next Perspectives. The talks (taking place every morning) and round tables (every afternoon) have been curated by Annalisa Rosso – editorial director of the Salone – and will take place at the Drafting Futures Arena by Formafantasma, hosting world-leading architects, design directors, film directors (Paolo Sorrentino included) and more.
Where to Stay
Bulgari Hotel Milano
The Bulgari Hotel Milano is one of Milan’s top design-led hotels and ideally located for an elegant stay that strikes the all-important and delicate balance between a carefully planned space that is still rich in ambience and atmosphere.
Armani Hotel Milano
The Armani Hotel Milano, conveniently located in the centre of the city and designed by Giorgio Armani himself, is an ideal stay for a luxurious weekend in Milan and a top spot to stay in, to fully immerse yourself in the design heritage of the city.
Portrait Milano
The recently renovated Portrait Milano, a former seminary, now converted into a hotel with a magnificent 32,000-square-foot courtyard, Piazza del Quadrilatero – one of the largest squares in Milan’s Fashion District – is another top design-pick during or post-Salone.
EAT + DRINK
Bar Altra Vista
Bar and bar snacks by day, restaurant by night, this exciting concept will feature a host of chefs at the Leonardo Da Vinci National Museum.
Principe Bar and Missoni
All week long the Principe di Savoia hotel’s Principe Bar will be decorated in full Missoni splendour, serving a specially curated selection of cocktails including the Malfy Originale Negroni.
Where To Party
Start at Bar Paradiso in Porta Romana, or Bar Nico; both are great spots for an aperitivo. Then head to Bar Basso, where the Negroni sbagliato was invented (swapping the gin for prosecco); this is the perfect spot to trial any denomination of spritz.
Lead image credit: Ten Years of Commercial Practice Stephen Burks ©Caroline Tompkins Salone del Mobile 2025
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