By Alice Lonfat-Chu

Held from April 8–13 at Fiera Milano, this year’s Salone del Mobile once again transformed Milan into a living design museum.

Since its debut in 1961, the fair has evolved from a trade show into a cultural juggernaut, drawing architects, curators, collectors, and creatives from around the world.

Big Moments

Director Paolo Sorrentino’s dreamy installation on the theme of “waiting” captivated crowds and nodded to David Lynch’s haunting 2024 contribution, setting a moody, cinematic tone.

On the other end of the spectrum, industrial designer Konstantin Grcic (of Table B fame, above) delivered a compelling talk on modularity and function — with lighting built in.

Moooi chandeliers

Luce Sferica and Luce Cilindrica by Ronan Bouroullec

Nocturne by Konstantin Grcic

Lighting was the official focus this year (Salone alternates annually), and the installations dazzled.

Standouts included Moooi’s enchanting chandeliers, Ronan Bouroullec’s elongated light sculpture Luce Sferica and Luce Cilindrica, and Grcic’s sleek Nocturne display.

Off-Site

Big names like Minotti and Luce spotlighted their wares inside the fairgrounds, but (like Art Basel), many thrills often happen beyond the main hall.

Think palazzi packed with designer work, off-campus showcases and boutique installations.

A standout: Es Devlin’s revolving library at the Pinacoteca — visitors queued for hours (or jumped the line) to step inside the story.

That’s the essence of Salone del Mobile: seeing design culture — and people—in constant motion.

Looking Ahead

The next edition of Salone del Mobile will be held from April 21 – 26, 2026.

Lead-in Image

All Photos by Alice Lonfat-Chu, except for La dolce attesa, by Paolo Sorrentino - Photo by Saverio Lombardi Vallauri