What Stood Out at Salone

MILAN — Salone fever has rarely burned so bright as it has this year. Perhaps it’s the perfect spring weather, or perhaps Milan itself has never looked or felt better: cleaner, more vibrant, more dynamic. There is a renewed confidence in the air, amid an influx of international wealth and a sense that the city is becoming a truly global cultural capital.

No longer just a trade fair, Milan’s Design Week consists of hundreds of installations, exhibitions and gatherings — in grand neoclassical palazzi, 1930s apartment buildings and hidden courtyards — offering a compelling city-sized stage for everyone from Italian design stars to major fashion groups aiming to engage VICs, as well as one of the most effective networking platforms in the creative industries today. It’s no secret that meaningful collaborations (and even major business deals) are born out of conversations that happen here.

The success of the event is rooted in a longstanding duality at the heart of Milan. On one hand, it’s the beating heart of the global furniture industry. Just outside the city, in Brianza, lies one of the most important manufacturing hubs in the world. On the other, Milan is a creative capital where design, fashion, architecture and art intersect seamlessly. It is precisely this dialogue between industry and imagination that gives Salone its unmatched energy.

But after decades dominated by functional, industrial design, I’m seeing a renewed focus on craftsmanship: a palpable return to the handmade, the tactile and the time-intensive, as small designers and big brands alike place more value on materials, techniques and processes that carry history and human touch. It is not simply nostalgia; it reflects a broader cultural desire for authenticity and permanence in an era of speed and scale.

My friend Derek Blasberg, attending Salone for the first time this year, nailed it when he likened it to “an old-school Art Basel meets Coachella.” To be sure, there’s a lot going on. But amid the beautiful chaos, a few highlights stood out:

Dimorestudio

Design duo Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran set the tone again this year. Never predictable and constantly evolving, their installations remain among the most atmospheric and emotionally charged of the week. On Sunday, they unveiled a new gallery-like retail space set in a former bank just behind the Milan Stock Exchange. The highlight is the vault, now filled with collectible design objects. My personal favourite: a set of three striking 1930s consoles.

Osanna Visconti

In Visconti’s atelier tucked away in the 5 Vie district — in what is arguably one of the most beautiful courtyards in Milan — Visconti presented new bronze pieces, including small side tables inspired by her recent trip to Egypt, with tabletops shaped like papyrus flowers.

Giuseppe Porcelli

Porcelli is a rising star of Italian design and his installation did not disappoint: his new offices were entirely draped in red fabric, creating a dramatic, almost David Hicks-inspired environment. What makes his work compelling is his ability to build atmosphere while maintaining strong design integrity, a rare combination today.

Loro Piana

In its Via Della Moscova headquarters, the LVMH cashmere brand has staged an exhibition of exceptionally intricate plaids — some true works of art. The level of embroidery and craftsmanship involved is extraordinary, reinforcing the broader shift toward artisanal excellence.

Laila Gohar for Arket

Gohar worked with H&M’s Arket label to create a merry-go-round populated with oversized fruits and vegetables — playful, surreal and instantly memorable.

Hermès

As every year, the French luxury giant’s home unit has taken over La Pelota in Brera with a highly considered installation (my personal benchmark remains Shigeru Ban’s in 2011). This year, I was particularly taken by their impeccably crafted leather wastepaper baskets — elevating even the most ordinary object into something desirable.

Ralph Lauren

The American brand presented its Fall 2026 home collection in the gorgeous setting of its 1940s palazzo, transporting visitors to a world of layered, romantic yet modern country style.

Martina Mondadori is the co-founder and CEO of Cabana, a biannual magazine and homeware brand. She lives between Milan and London and is a trustee of World Monuments Fund Britain.