7 of the coolest things happening at Milan Design Week 2026

Milan Design Week is already known amongst those with a fetish for design as the industry’s premier annual event. It’s been in operation since 1961 (this year it is holding its 63rd edition), anchored by the Salone del Mobile furniture fair at Fiera Milano Rho and city-wide Fuorisalone events.

If you’re headed to Milan this week to join the fanfare – or if you’re simply curious about what the highlights of this year’s program are – we’ve curated a list of the coolest things happening at Milan Design Week 2026, below…

 

Marni and Cucchi’s pop-up pastry shop merchandise.” width=”2560″ height=”1705″ /> Photographs courtesy Marni

Fashion brand Marni has taken over Milan’s iconic 1930s Pasticceria Cucchi for three months, with branded plates, milk jugs, chess boards and sugar sachets all design by interiors firm RedDuo Studio. The menu encircles signature Milanese aperitivo culture – from morning cappuccinos and standing-counter espressos, to an afternoon cocktail list debuting from Martini, inclusive of Bianco and Bitter Spritzes.

When: Visitors can stop through until 15 July 2026.

Where: Corso Genova, 1, Milan, Italy 20123

 

Photograph courtesy Rubelli

Chinese contemporary artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, uses silk as a medium for the first time to envelop the Rubelli showroom in lampas fabric woven with intricate motifs in a site-specific installation called Ai Weiwei: About Silk. There will be an accompanying documentary on show talking about how the history of the material’s origins in China and Rubelli’s centuries-old craftsmanship in Venice.

When: The installation will be on view at Rubelli Showroom until 15 May 2026.

Where: Rubelli Showroom, Via Fatebenefratelli 9

 

Photograph courtesy S-3

S-3, a platform for “connecting East Asian design to global ideas and practices”, will be launching at this year’s Salone del Mobile with an exhibition titled Chopsticks, curated by Yoko Choy. It will feature works by 16 creatives from countries like South Korea, Japan, China, each reinterpreting the dining staple

When: 21–26 April 2026

Where: Via Pietro Giannone 3, Angolo Via Bramante, 7, 20154 Milano

 

Jil Sander and Apartamento’s Reference Library exhibition and poster.” width=”2560″ height=”1705″ /> Photographs courtesy Jil Sander

Reference Library will be an installation that curates a collection of 60 books from contributors such as Jil Sander creative director Simone Bellotti, Ronan Bouroullec, Jasper Morrison, Lykke Li, Celine Song and Hans Ulrich Obrist. Each book selected by contributors is a reflection of personal references that have fundamentally shaped their creative trajectories. Taking place at the Jil Sander showroom in Milan, the space will be designed by the Milanese practice studioutte, utilising mirrored walls and chrome lecterns. Entry will be strictly limited to 60 hourly slots, and visitors will be required to wear white gloves provided at the entrance to handle the delicate collection.

When: The space will open from 20–24 April 2026

Where: Via Pietro Verri, 6, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

 

Photographs courtesy Sophie Lou Jacobsen

The glassware designer will be launching her Disco Aperitivo collection during the week, turning a Loreto apartment into a party bar with the help of Milanese institution Palinurobar. They’ll be serving up drinks and snacks in the spirit of a glamorous 70s-era Italian aperitivo hour.

When: Monday 20 April until  Wednesday 22 April, 10am – 4pm daily

Where: Address shared upon confirmation. To book a visit, email: [email protected]

 

Photographs courtesy Artemest

L’Appartamento by Artemest is back for its fourth edition at Palazzo Donizetti hotel. This year, five interior designers – including Charlap Hyman & Herrero, March and White Design, Rockwell Group, Sasha Adler and Urjowan Alsharif Interiors – envision Italian cultural capitals like Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and Palermo as a room. This year, for the first time, the exhibition will extend outdoors, and feature an exclusive preview of Artemest’s first ever furniture collection: the Artemest Collection by GACHOT.

When: Open from 21 to 26 April 2026.

Where: Palazzo Donizetti, Via Gaetano Donizetti 48

 

Photographs courtesy Aesop

The cult beauty brand will be introducing the Aposē lamp during Salone del Mobile at it’s Factory of Light exhibition. Designed by the brand’s in-house architects, its brass plinth is cast by hand in a German family-run forge, while its glass crown is mouth-blown near Murano.

When: 21–26 April 2026, from 10am–6pm.

Where: Chiesa del Carmine, Milan

 

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