Milano Design Week 2025 was a celebration of both heritage and forward-thinking creativity, setting the tone for the year’s design landscape.
In essence, Milano Design Week 2025 marked a shift toward immersive entertainment, broader accessibility, and thematic expansion. It also faced criticism for prioritizing spectacle over substance and for the challenges of curatorial cohesion in an ever-larger, more democratized event.
ESSENCE OF 2025 MILANO DESIGN WEEK
1. A shift towards immersive and performative experiences
Performance and Theatricality
This year, brands and designers increasingly embraced dynamic, immersive formats, stepping away from conventional static displays. Historic theaters and purpose-built stages took center stage, hosting presentations that blended design with live acting, dance, and elaborate set designs.
Cassina’s “Staging Modernity” at Teatro Lirico was a standout, weaving their furniture seamlessly into a live performance, while Kelly Wearstler introduced her latest carpet collection in a dramatic theatrical environment.
Cassina -(C) Fuorisalone it
Kelly Wearstler x Rug Compagny
Cinematic and Experiential Installations
Luxury brands adopted cinematic approaches, using grand, immersive sets and multi-sensory experiences to engage visitors, creating a more entertainment-driven atmosphere.
2. Content vs Spectacle
Democratization and entertainment
There is an increasing focus on design as entertainment, where experience, interaction, and social media appeal often take precedence over deep and meaningful content.
While this has made the event more accessible to a wider audience, some critics and professionals have noted a decline in the number of truly inspiring or thought-provoking projects, with more emphasis on “spectacular” aesthetics and shareable moments than on substance and curation.
Quality of curation
This year, many venues lacked strong curatorial leadership, presenting scattered collections rather than coherent, well-thought-out exhibitions. The focus was no longer on the artists on display but simply on having something to promote, sometimes at the expense of quality.
Tokujin Yoshioka’s Frozen chairs
3. Expansion and District Dynamics
District evolution
The event continues to expand geographically, with new sites and districts gaining prominence. For example, the 5Vie district has introduced new exhibition spaces, and the Isola Design District has emphasized social impact, environmental responsibility, and digital innovation, reflecting a broader and more inclusive approach to design themes.
Social and Environmental Themes
Districts like Isola focused on the relationship between people and design, zero-kilometre production, and sustainability, with exhibitions such as "Conscious Objects" and "Openspace" exploring these themes.
4. Audience and Accessibility
Intensified Visitor Experience
The scale and intensity of the week have increased, with more events, larger crowds, and a festival-like atmosphere. This has led to challenges in accessibility and a sense that the event is sometimes more about spectacle and data capture than about the substance of design.
Appeal to a wider audience
The democratization of design has attracted a more diverse audience, ranging from industry professionals to the general public, making the event more inclusive but also risking diluting the content.
5. Systemic and Cultural Shifts
Blurring Boundaries
There is a continued move from strict divisions between art, craft, and design toward more porous categories, with "art-design," collectible design, and functional art all present. The influence of social media has overtaken traditional print in shaping the event’s narrative and reach.
Design as Systemic and Contextual
The week increasingly reflects broader cultural and economic shifts, with design seen as interconnected with industry, commerce, and society, rather than as isolated artistic expression.
KEY BRANDS AND EXHIBITIONS
Lavazza:
Marked its 130th anniversary with the "Source of Pleasure" installation, an 18-meter structure in coffee-inspired tones, blending heritage with sensory experience.
IKEA:
Celebrated 30 years at Milan Design Week with an immersive exhibition and the unveiling of the new STOCKHOLM collection, focusing on Scandinavian design and sustainability.
Aesop:
Presented "The Second Skin," an immersive, scent-driven installation exploring the link between skin and design.
Capsule Plaza:
Featured global collaborations (HEM x Formafantasma, STONE ISLAND, HUMANRACE, PAN x NIKE), exploring the concept of "Expanded Living" and hybrid habitats for contemporary lifestyles.
Artemest:
Showcased Italian craftsmanship at Palazzo Donizetti, with six designers reinterpreting tradition through bespoke pieces.
5VIE Design Week:
Themed "Invisible Harmonies," this edition explored unseen forces in design, with original productions and collaborations at venues like Cavallerizze and Palazzo Correnti.
FASHION HOUSES
These installations exemplify how fashion brands are increasingly engaging with interior design and cultural discourse, creating immersive experiences that transcend traditional fashion presentations.
Saint Laurent – Charlotte Perriand Furniture Reissue
Saint Laurent, under the direction of Anthony Vaccarello, unveiled four previously unseen furniture pieces by pioneering 20th-century designer Charlotte Perriand. The exhibition showcased designs from 1943 to 1967, reproduced from original prototypes or sketches. Key pieces included “La Banquette de la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur du Japon à Paris” (1967), a five-seat sofa originally designed for the Japanese ambassador's residence in Paris.
Gucci – “Bamboo Encounters”
Gucci's exhibition, “Bamboo Encounters,” took place in the historic Chiostri di San Simpliciano. Curated by Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli of 2050+, the installation invited seven international artists and designers to reinterpret the brand's iconic bamboo motif. The exhibition explored bamboo's cultural, ecological, and emotional significance through various mediums, including sculptural furniture and playful kites that floated within the cloisters, highlighting the material's versatility and symbolism.
Loewe – “Teapots”
Loewe presented “Teapots” at Palazzo Citterio, commissioning 25 artists, designers, and architects to reimagine the teapot as a sculptural object. The exhibition celebrated the universal comfort of the tea ritual, with each piece reflecting diverse cultural interpretations and craftsmanship. Notable contributors included Patricia Urquiola, David Chipperfield, and Shozo Michikawa, among others.
Prada – “Prada Frames: In Transit”
Prada's “Prada Frames” symposium, curated by design studio Formafantasma, was held at the Padiglione Reale and aboard the restored Gio Ponti-designed Arlecchino train at Milan Central Station. The event featured a series of talks exploring the intersection of mobility, design, and the environment under the theme “In Transit.” The unique setting emphasized the dialogue between historical design and contemporary issues.
STANDOUT MATERIALS FEATURED
Glass:
Especially Murano, used in vibrant, layered, and textured forms for tables, lights, and accessories
Natural Stone & Marble:
Showcased for their craftsmanship, often paired with other materials for contrast
Ceramic & Porcelain Stoneware:
Used in both traditional and innovative applications, including tactile tiles and sculptural objects
Wood & Terracotta:
Emphasized for warmth, sustainability, and artisanal value, with techniques like embroidery and 3D printing pushing boundaries
Resin, Metal, Concrete:
Featured in bold, sculptural forms, often as part of mixed-media pieces
Faux Fur & Tactile Fabrics:
Added playful, sensory elements to furniture and accessories
Murano glass tables - (c) Matteo Zorzenoni
COLORS
Mocha Mousse (Pantone Color of the Year):
Warm, soft brown tones dominated, used in everything from lighting to ceramics
Earthy Neutrals:
Paired with natural materials for a calming, nature-inspired effect
Vibrant Glass Hues:
Sugary pinks, radiant blues, and bold color pops in glass and lighting
Retro-Futuristic Palettes:
Blending nostalgic colors from the 1970s/80s with modern finishes for a "future vintage" vibe
IN CONCLUSION
Milan Design Week 2025 stood out for its daring material experiments — especially with glass and mixed media — a rich mocha-toned palette, playful organic forms, and a deep-rooted focus on sustainability. Major players like IKEA, Lavazza, and Aesop captivated visitors with immersive, sensory-driven installations, while collaborations with fashion houses and tech innovators stretched the traditional boundaries of design. The week was a vibrant tribute to both Italian craftsmanship and global creativity, with materials, color, and cross-disciplinary exploration taking center stage.
References: Fuorisalone.it / AD Magazine / Elle Deco / Designboom.com
Photographs : If not mentioned courtesy of Fuorisalone.it
First picture: Designed by Monica Armani, Lago’s Chapeau table. Photography courtesy of Lago.