Milan Design Week 2025, themed “Connected Worlds,” showcases the future of design, blending tradition with cutting-edge innovation across various districts and exhibitions. From Isola’s human-centered focus to Brera’s fusion of art and technology, the event explores the deep connections between design, culture, and sustainability. Discover how Milan is setting the stage for the future of design—are you ready to experience it?
Milan Design Week, also known as “Settimana del Design,” is an annual event that turns Milan into a lively centre of creativity and innovation. It started in 1961 with the launch of the Salone del Mobile, initially focused on Italian furniture, but has since expanded to include a wide range of global design disciplines. One of the key aspects of Milan Design Week is Fuorisalone, a series of events held in iconic locations like historic palaces, industrial sites, and courtyards.
Milan Design Week 2025 promises to be an exceptional event for the global design community. Milan Design Week 2025 event brings together over 2,000 exhibitors from 37 countries, reinforcing its role as a strategic platform for the design industry. This year, the theme, Mondi Connessi (Connected Worlds), underscores the importance of design in bridging diverse areas of our lives.
The theme not only focuses on the relationship between physical and digital realms but also highlights pressing issues such as sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation in urban mobility. Whether it’s fusing the natural environment with advanced technology, combining cultural traditions with modern innovations, or pushing the boundaries of sustainable design, Milan Design Week will explore the interconnectedness that shapes our world.
For 2025, Milano Moda Design will highlight homeware collections from fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, and more. Louis Vuitton will present exclusive pieces from its Objets Nomades collection, while Gucci will unveil an exhibition inspired by its iconic bamboo handles. Other brands, including Prada and Etro, will showcase exhibitions that reflect their history and the impact of design in today’s world.
Isola Design Festival: Human-centered innovation
The Isola Design Festival, with its second location now in Dubai, has established itself as a key global platform for contemporary design. The 2025 edition centres around the theme “Design is Human,” reflecting on the importance of people in the design process.
It emphasises the need for design to start from a human perspective, aiming to improve well-being and sustainability. The festival highlights the blend of traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation, reinforcing the idea that human creativity is central to meaningful design.
The festival brings together designers, studios, and manufacturers from around the world to promote a human-centered approach to design. It will address key themes such as social impact, environmental responsibility, functional design, and the intersection of digital technology and craftsmanship. The festival continues to shape a movement towards design that places people at the core.
In 2025, the festival introduces a new venue, BasicVillage (Via dell’Aprica 12, Milan). Originally a rubber factory, this early 20th-century space in the Isola district has been revitalised as a creative hub. BasicVillage will host three group exhibitions curated by the Isola Studio team, exploring new approaches to design.
The Isola Design Group’s consultancy lab, led by Elif Resitoglu, will present exhibitions such as Conscious Objects, Isola Design Gallery, and Openspace, offering a platform for the exchange of ideas and innovation in contemporary design.
Brera Design District: A fusion of tradition and innovation
Brera Design District, now in its 16th edition, is one of the most anticipated locations during Milan Design Week 2025. The district embraces the theme Connected Worlds, aligning with the broader Fuorisalone concept.
As a global design hub, Brera seamlessly integrates various elements of Milanese culture—craftsmanship, food, hospitality, and art—into its design ecosystem. This year, the district will host over 170 temporary exhibitors, marking it as a key destination for visitors looking to experience high-quality design.
One of the standout projects in Brera is the “Horizons” installation at Brera Design Apartment (Via Palermo 1), curated by Zanellato/Bortotto Studio. The installation focuses on the exploration of color and texture through handcrafted products and surfaces. This project is a manifesto for the district, reflecting its dynamic and evolving nature. Brera’s prominence continues to grow, making it the essential stop for anyone attending Milan Design Week.
Drop City at Salone 2025
At Salone 2025, Drop City offers a unique blend of art and design, transforming former warehouses near Central Station into an experimental hub. The space stands as a testament to avant-garde design, with exhibitions that push creative boundaries.
Nearby, the fourth edition of Prada Frames will feature thought-provoking talks aboard the iconic Arlecchino train, designed by Giò Ponti in the 1950s. You can also explore the Padiglione Reale of Central Station, where visitors can enjoy a royal experience amid inspiring design.
For those willing to venture beyond the main venues, Nilufar Depot at Via Lancetti 34 is a must-visit, especially for collectors seeking pieces by designers like Vikram Goyal and Thierry Betancourt. For an even more adventurous experience, head to Alcova in Varedo, accessible by train.
This expansive site includes several locations, such as a disused factory and orchid greenhouses, offering a raw, immersive experience. However, to enter Villa Borsani, you’ll need to book in advance and pay €25, but the other venues remain free.
La Dolce Attesa by Paolo sorrentino
At Salone del Mobile 2025, renowned filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino unveils his thought-provoking installation, La dolce attesa. Situated in Pavilions 22 and 24, this work challenges the conventional perception of waiting rooms, transforming the act of waiting from an uncomfortable delay into an active, emotional experience. Sorrentino, known for his cinematic storytelling, reimagines waiting as a moment of anticipation and internal motion, rather than a mere pause in time.
The design concept behind La dolce attesa is rooted in the idea of waiting as a mental direction, where the body rests but the mind moves forward. Sorrentino collaborates with scenographer Margherita Palli, creating a space that evokes emotion and reflection.
Rather than mimicking the sterile environment of a typical waiting room, Palli designs a visual theatre that holds emotion and encourages interpretation. The installation invites visitors to slow down and engage with the concept of waiting as a meaningful, transformative experience.
5Vie Design Week: The hidden harmony of design
The 12th edition of 5VIE Design Week, which takes place from April 7 to 13, 2025, presents the theme “Invisible Harmonies”. This theme moves beyond the idea of beauty as just aesthetics or consumption. Instead, it explores design as a form of resonance, focusing on hidden balances that influence how we experience the world.
5VIE Design Week is hosting Milan’s historic centre, between Corso Magenta, Sant’Ambrogio, and the Colonne di San Lorenzo. The event features collectible design, fine craftsmanship, and the blending of art and design. Alongside its long-standing venues at Palazzo Correnti and SIAM, 5VIE opens a new exhibition space at Le Cavallerizze, located inside the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology.
The event showcases eight significant productions by international creatives, including Misha Kahn, Sara Ricciardi, Richard Yasmine, and Hiva Alizadeh. Over 70 events with contributions from independent studios, companies, and designers. The exhibition is curated by Ernesta Del Cogliano and Emanuele Tessarolo, with most of the events taking place at Le Cavallerizze.
Alcova: Innovation in abandoned spaces
Alcova, now in its ninth edition, continues to push the boundaries of design with its unique installations. For Milan Design Week 2025, Alcova will expand across four venues, including the historic Villa Borsani, Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, the Pasino greenhouses, and the former SNIA factory. These venues, once abandoned, are being repurposed to showcase cutting-edge design, blending industrial history with modern innovation.
The Pasino greenhouses, once home to one of Europe’s largest white orchid cultivations, will serve as a striking natural setting for innovative design displays. The greenhouses’ lush environment will offer an intriguing contrast to the industrial feel of the SNIA factory, a landmark in Milan’s suburbs.
The former factory, with its towering smokestack and geometric glass facades, showcases Italy’s rich industrial history and will feature installations focused on new production techniques. The juxtaposition of these two very different spaces—the natural and the industrial—symbolises the evolution of design, from traditional craftsmanship to modern, innovative practices.
The installations will address the future of living and making, with a particular focus on sustainability and design innovation. The juxtaposition of industrial and natural environments offers a striking contrast that highlights the potential for creative reuse. Alcova’s location choices reflect a commitment to preserving Milan’s architectural heritage while offering a dynamic space for designers to experiment with new ideas.
Superdesign Show: A manifesto of happiness
Celebrating its 25th edition, the Superdesign Show at Superstudio Più on Via Tortona during Milan Design Week 2025 embraces the theme Happiness. Once a trade event primarily for industry professionals, Milan Design Week has evolved into a global festival that attracts architects, designers, manufacturers, students, families, and curious visitors.
It is now one of the most dynamic and international events of the year, promoting sustainability and creativity across industries, including furniture, AI, fashion, automotive, food, and beauty. The theme of Happiness in 2025 offers a response to the challenges of the post-Covid world, ongoing wars, and economic crises. In a time marked by uncertainty, happiness stands as a beacon of hope.
The Superdesign Show incorporates this theme throughout, with visual elements such as radiant yellow chosen by art director Giulio Cappellini, and an exclusive lettering design by graphic artist Daniele Cima. The exhibition also celebrates Made in Italy, showcasing iconic Italian design alongside global creative contributions, including Lexus’ captivating installations and FORUM8’s immersive nature experiences.
The Superdesign Show features over 70 designers from 10 nations and 20 projects across three continents, all focused on innovation and the future of design. Sociologist Francesco Morace will provide insights on the role of happiness in design, adding depth to the event’s philosophical and cultural exploration.
Lexus, for example, presents “A-Un” and “Discover Together”, interactive installations that explore human-machine interactions and redefine automotive design through immersive experiences. Lexus’ Black Butterfly electric vehicle cockpit showcases the future of mobility in the form of co-created art, syncing with the visitor’s heartbeat to create a unique experience. Similarly, Geberit’s “Where Waters Meets Design” transforms water into a sensory experience that connects design with well-being, emphasising the role of elements in everyday life.
Porta Venezia Design District
The Porta Venezia Design District has quickly become a highlight of Milan Design Week. Just two years after its debut, the district hosted 45 installations and featured over 300 designers from around the world, attracting more than 60,000 visitors—a 50% increase from its first year. The district not only featured key projects but also won the prestigious Fuorisalone Award for its Re-Creation installation by Lasvit, a leading glass-processing company.
The 2025 edition of the Porta Venezia Design District embraces the theme No Boundaries Design. This concept challenges existing norms and encourages a radical inquiry into the connections between art, science, technology, and nature. As physical and digital realities begin to blur, the district encourages designers to push the limits of traditional design, questioning what exists and imagining what could be.
The theme is inspired by Eileen Gray, a modernist pioneer known for breaking artistic boundaries. Her work serves as the foundation for the concept of No Boundaries Design, which rejects strict divisions between art, design, and architecture.
One of the most anticipated installations in the Porta Venezia Design District is Making the Invisible Visible, presented by Google at Garage 21. Led by Ivy Ross, Google’s Chief Design Officer for Consumer Devices, this project transforms abstract concepts into tangible forms. In collaboration with light and water artist Lachlan Turczan, the installation uses art and design to reveal the hidden connections between ideas and their visual representation.
Another key installation in the Porta Venezia Design District is Source of Pleasure, a site-specific exhibition by Brazilian architect and designer Juliana Lima Vasconcellos, presented by Lavazza. Located in the courtyard of Palazzo del Senato, this immersive installation takes visitors on a multisensory journey through the world of coffee. By engaging all five senses, Source of Pleasure explores the deeper connection between design and everyday experiences.
Shikha Negi is a Content Writer at ztudium with expertise in writing and proofreading content. Having created more than 500 articles encompassing a diverse range of educational topics, from breaking news to in-depth analysis and long-form content, Shikha has a deep understanding of emerging trends in business, technology (including AI, blockchain, and the metaverse), and societal shifts, As the author at Sarvgyan News, Shikha has demonstrated expertise in crafting engaging and informative content tailored for various audiences, including students, educators, and professionals.
