Milan Design Week 2026 Showcases 1,900 Exhibitors and Redefines Global Design Dialogue
Milan Design Week 2026, the largest design fair in the world, welcomed approximately 319,400 visitors and featured 1,900 exhibitors. The event generated an estimated €255 million for the city over seven days. A key highlight of this year’s fair was the Fuorisalone, where brands showcased their innovations in palazzos, cloisters, and historic venues throughout Milan.
This year’s theme, “Be the Project,” inspired numerous brands to present compelling and ambitious displays. The highlights from the week illustrates the vibrant dialogue in contemporary design.
The Moment That Belongs To Us
The Architecture & Design Commission of Saudi Arabia showcased the Jusoor Design Collections at the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Milan’s esteemed cultural institutions. Five Saudi designers—Muotaz Abbas, Aseel Alamoudi, Abeer AlRabiah, Albandari Sulaiman, and Saud Alsaleh—presented works curated by Dubai-based creative director Samer Yamani. The exhibition, named “Jusoor,” meaning “bridges” in Arabic, reflects Saudi design’s evolution and its interaction with global perspectives.
Prominent among the exhibits was the CORA Collection by AlRabiah and Sulaiman, consisting of twelve sculptural stools inspired by five coral species from Saudi coastlines. These handcrafted pieces included three deliberately bleached stools that highlighted the fragility of marine life.
Additionally, Lebanese designer Roseline Jabbour participated at the Isola Design Gallery, while UAE designers featured prominently in the Rising Talents show. Architect Urjowan Alsharif represented Saudi Arabia at Artemest’s L’Appartamento, signaling a significant debut on an international stage for many participants.
Gucci Straddles Two Worlds
Gucci’s installation, titled Memoria, was set within the Chiostri di San Simpliciano, a medieval cloister in Brera. The display included twelve tapestries crafted in Florence, each representing a pivotal moment in Gucci’s 105-year history, from Guccio Gucci’s early days as a porter to the current era under Demna’s creative vision. The last tapestry featured a gamer chair prominently, symbolizing a blend of heritage and modernity.
In a smaller cloister nearby, Gucci also introduced vending machines dispensing drinks labeled “Fashion Icon,” “Drama Queen,” and “Super Incazzata.” This playful juxtaposition captured the essence of the week’s most photographed moments, blended with Gucci’s signature flair. The brand also transformed its 1966 Flora motif into an immersive botanical landscape for guests to experience.
The Women Who Ran The Room
Maria Porro, president of Salone del Mobile, unveiled two new fair formats: Salone Raritas, highlighting collectible design curated by Formafantasma, and Salone Contract, focused on large-scale hospitality designs masterminded by Rem Koolhaas. Her efforts culminated in a 5.5% increase in attendance amidst a challenging global market.
Valentina Ciuffi, co-curator of Alcova, showcased this year’s exhibition at the historic Baggio Military Hospital and Villa Pestarini, the latter being publicly accessible for the first time. The venue is a rationalist masterpiece designed by Franco Albini in the 1930s.
Sara Ricciardi’s installation, titled Serotonin – The Chemistry of Happiness, also drew attention at the Pinacoteca di Brera. Commissioned by American Express, the display featured inflatable structures that rhythmically expanded and contracted, creating a dynamic visual experience.
The Rooms With Impact
Throughout Milan, creative expressions flourished outside the main fairgrounds. Baccarat’s Crystal Crypt installation showcased the Mille Fleurs chandelier in collaboration with designer Bethan Laura Wood. This installation reinterpreted the 19th-century Zénith chandelier, generating a striking ambiance.
Moreover, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, presented Default Is Not Universal at the Isola Design Gallery. The exhibition focused on how culturally diverse perspectives shape interpretations of identical objects, raising thought-provoking questions about design intent.
Miu Miu’s Literary Club held its fourth edition, titled Politics of Desire, featuring a series of panels centered on themes of autonomy and consent. The event, anchored by Annie Ernaux’s A Girl’s Story and Ama Ata Aidoo’s Changes: A Love Story, interpreted literary themes through a multifaceted artistic lens. Accompanying this event, Jil Sander partnered with Apartmento to create a pop-up bookshop, showcasing over sixty curated titles from noted designers and literary figures.
Fendi Had Three Wins in One Week
Fendi achieved significant milestones during the event, including the launch of the inaugural Fendi Design Prize. Curated by Giulio Cappellini, the prize was awarded to Swedish designer Gustav Craft for his project VIA, which incorporates elements of the historical sampietrino paving stone of Rome. Each piece showcases intricate design with contemporary flair while paying homage to Roman heritage.
Maria Grazia Chiuri made a noteworthy debut for Fendi with twenty re-editions of the Baguette 26424. The new designs featured bold elements such as sequins and animal prints, setting a promising direction for the brand.
The House also introduced a new collection under Fendi Casa, which included the Peekachill armchair, inspired by the iconic Peekaboo handbag.
As reported by www.mojeh.com, Milan Design Week 2026 not only showcased a spectrum of innovative designs but also reflected a significant global dialogue among artists and designers, solidifying the city’s status as a relentless hub of creativity.
