6 May 2026
Highlights of the year – Milan Design Week
From Gucci and Prada to Dior and Jil Sander; this year’s Milan Furniture Week was dominated by fashion houses’ installations across the city – but also by inspiring interiors and new expressions. We have selected eight highlights.
Name to Watch - Dozie Kanu
A distinct expression. One of the week’s most talked-about launches was a fringe-adorned table collection by artist Dozie Kanu. The inspiration was drawn from African drums, ceremonial garments, and fringed cowboy jackets.
Interior Designer of the Year
The Elle Deco International Design Award (EDIDA) always presents its annual awards during the week. The Interior Designer of the Year award went to Festen Architecture – Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay – for their refined interiors and hotel experiences over the past year.
Theme: Reading
It is the year of the book – and of in-depth conversations. At least if the fashion houses are to be believed, as they increasingly take over the city center during design week. Jil Sander Reference Library presented 60 selected books in a refined installation by Studiouette. Miu Miu hosted the Reading Club – themed Politics of Desire – and Prada Frames’ fourth “symposium,” featuring three days of talks, was the hottest ticket of the week. This year’s theme explored the power of images through time – moderated conversations interspersed with readings.
Spotlight: Linde Freya Tangelder for Cassina
Dutch designer Linde Freya Tangelder, founder of the studio Destroyers/Builders, partners with Italian brand Cassina on the exhibition Fluid Re-Collection. A show featuring furniture and lighting made from blown glass, cast bronze, sheet metal and lacquered wood, presented at 10 Corso Como during the design week.
A Visual Journey – B&B Italia
With the exhibition Before & Beyond, B&B Italia reinforces its unique position in Italian design history by highlighting its communication over the years – a visual journey featuring near-legendary advertising campaigns. This was combined with new furniture launches by Ronan Bouroullec and Michael Anastassiades. Extra credit for the fair’s most beautiful stand, designed by Formafantasma.
Personal with Alessi
Designer Philippe Malouin invited guests to brunch, fried eggs, and served coffee brewed in his new moka pot Vite for Alessi – personal and informal in a stunning apartment designed by Vittorio Grigotti in 1963. “Everything I do stems from my experimentation with materials, not least car scrap and things others have discarded,” Philippe explained. Many called Vite the week’s “most democratic launch” in a sea of increasingly exclusive objects.
At Home With
More installations and launches than ever took place in apartments across the city – and sometimes the greatest experience was gaining access to private homes otherwise unseen. Such as Interni Vernosta’s installation in a home designed by Osvaldo Borsani, and Michael Bargo’s collaboration with Yves Salomon Editions.
Faye Toogood
A rebel in the design world who refuses to be confined to a single genre or expression. During design week, Faye Toogood transformed Tacchini’s showroom with the installation Material Anthology, focusing on production leftovers and archival finds – as well as her expanded Butter series for the brand. She also presented new work for Meritalia and Poltrona Frau.
Vase of the Year
You can say what you will about the dominance of fashion houses during a furniture fair, but some always deliver – Hermès among them. This year, their installation was understated to let the products speak – something many had been longing for. Their vase clad in black horsehair is unforgettable.
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