What’s new at Milan Design Week 2025

Milan Design Week 2025 reaffirmed its role as first global showcase of design trends and innovation. Between exhibitions of futuristic furniture and immersive installations, the event highlights the search for pieces combining aesthetics, functionality and durability.

Brazil was also present with strong representation, showing how natural materials and artisanal techniques can interact with contemporary design. This edition clearly shows that the future of design lies in the harmony between form, function and environmental awareness.

Below, check out some of the highlights from the event!

Sustainability in furniture and accessories presented at Salone del Mobile

In the 2025 edition of Salone del Mobile, the furniture consolidates itself as protagonist absolute with pieces that transcend functionality to become totemic sculptures, collectibles and sensory refuges. Amidst the countless cultural initiatives of the edition dedicated to Euroluce, the more than 2,100 Italian and international exhibitors prove that contemporary design seeks above all comfort and serenity.

In the show pavilions, trends reveal minimalism warmed by metals, scenographic solutions that harmonize light and sound and a revaluation of already successful stands: “if it works, why reinvent it? “.

Sofas, for example, take on an almost architectural role, with sinuous lines that reorganize spaces and materials such as Boucle, natural leather and velvetinviting guilt-free leisure. Even the chains adopt responsible production, favoring noble materials and zero waste.

The result is environments that soothe rather than surprise, where the touch of a fabric or the precise movement of a bench convey peace through design. And while furniture hasn’t yet come to life — as MIT predicted years ago — this edition suggests that, soon, a sofa will be able to read our emotions and respond with heat or vibrations. After all, the future of design lies in comfort that evolves with the user.

In the FuoriSalone 2025 neighborhoods

The neighborhoods of FuoriSalone distributed throughout Milan bring to this edition unique proposals that reflect current (and future) design paths.

Discover the highlights that made each one an unmissable stopover in this edition:

Brera Design District

This is the heart of Milan Design Week, with more than 200 brands and 290 events. In 2025, its theme is “Connected worlds”focused on artificial intelligence, innovation, artisanal culture and service design. The “Orizzonti” project, from the Zanellato Bortotto studio, is highlighted. Brera reaffirms itself as the most important district internationally, combining tradition, art, gastronomy and high-end design.

Tortona Design District

Young and daring neighborhood focused on experimental design and immersive exhibitions. This year’s theme is “Design revolution: creative connections”with a focus on sustainability, social impact and technology. Attractions such as Hilti Hero Hub, Kinder Sorpresa Design Studio and Ricoh with smart textile technologies mark the edition, as well as the participation of brands such as Lexus, Guess and Ploom in sensory and interactive experiences.

Durini Design District (DDDESIGN)

Traditional and sophisticated, it brings together big names in furniture and lifestyle such as B&B Italia, Cassina and Giorgetti. It is in the process of reorganization to strengthen its identity as a center of design excellence, with an emphasis on strategic connections and the presentation of new products in its showrooms.

5VIE Art+Design

Located in one of the oldest areas of Milan, it is intended to design and collectible art. The theme for 2025 is “Invisible Harmonies”which proposes design as a bridge between form and intuition. The edition is expanding with exhibitions in the historic Palazzo Correnti, SIAM and now also in the Cavallerizze of the Museum of Science and Technology, thus strengthening its role as a center for research and experimentation.

Isola Design District

With a creative and focused mind sustainability and technologythe theme for 2025 is “Design is human”. The district celebrates human-centered design, combining know-how and digital innovation. BasicVillage will be the central point, with group exhibitions and workshops. Other spaces like VIAFARINI highlight Indian crafts, reinforcing the multicultural and human identity of the festival.

Alcove

The itinerant and disruptive platform returns with installations in four unique spaces: Villa Borsani, Villa Bagatti Valsecchi, the former SNIA factory and the Pasino greenhouses. Alcova is known for its conservation of independent and experimental designpromoting dialogue between space and contemporary creation — always one of the most popular highlights of the week.

Milan Triennale

A reference museum for design, architecture and visual arts, with exhibitions such as Mobile forms, Ettore Sottsass, Franco Raggie John Giorno. The 2025 edition strengthens the critical analysis of contemporary designwith collaborations from brands such as Emeco, Vans and Ruffino, and themes ranging from light and photography to social criticism.

Porta Venezia Design District

In its third edition, it is developing as a dynamic center with the theme “Design without borders”inspired by designer Eileen Gray. The district offers design as a field of radical experimentation, deconstruction and social transformation. In partnership with PRIMA Assicurazioni and the TOILETPAPER studio, it offers impactful installations with a strong visual and conceptual charge.

Brazilian brands present at Milan Design Week

Brazilian design continues to gain international notoriety at Milan Design Week. In 2024, Brazilian participation generated 40 million US dollars in business. In 2025, the objective is to consolidate Brazil as a world reference in authoritative and sustainable design.

No Salone del Mobile

Brazilian design was highlighted in the Mobile Show 2025com 56 companies and 33 designers occupying Espaço Brasil in Pavilion 3 of Rho Fiera Milano until April 13.

The initiative, the result of the partnership between ApexBrasil and ABIMÓVEL through the project Brazilian furniturestrengthens the country as sixth largest furniture producer in the worldshowcasing pieces that combine innovation, sustainability and national identity.

Curated by Liana Tessler and set design by Estojo translate the theme “Thought for Humans” into an environment that balances pure lines and organic elements, such as a central tree that symbolizes the connection between nature and design.

With pieces ranging from certified wood to natural fibers, Espaço Brasil proves that sustainability and premium design can coexist and that the country is ready to compete on equal terms with the biggest powers in the sector.

No FuoriSalone

Yes no FuoriSalone, 57 Brazilian brands They feature high-end furniture, decorative objects, lighting, ornamental stones, ceramic coverings and original handicrafts. Among them, 12 are from the North and North-East regions and 33 are participating in the event for the first time, in addition to more than 30 featuring women in leadership positions.

During the event, the exhibition “Cashew rain »organized by Bruno Simões, occupies the Università degli Studi di Milano with 50 creations from Brazilian brands and designers. Organized at the University of Milan, the artistic intervention transformed the place into a scene of colors, aromas and textures, connecting nature and sustainability in a visual story inspired by the north and northeast of the country.

Other highlights include the exhibition “Bold modernism: Oscar Niemeyer in Italy »organized by ETEL, and the exhibition “Between earth and sky – The voices of Brazilian design »from the Tropicalistic platform, which brings together 25 Brazilian designers and artists to celebrate techniques that unite the solidity of the earth and the fluidity of the sky.