Milan Design Week 2026 is in full swing! For a few days in April, Milan transforms into the world capital of design. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to numerous events, ranging from monumental exhibitions in the Salone del Mobile pavilions at Rho Fiera, through experimental Fuorisalone installations, to cultural events. This year, attention is drawn both to Alcova’s curated projects and to hundreds of events scattered across courtyards, palaces, post-industrial halls and private spaces. It is precisely this multi-layered nature – the combination of the fair’s professional infrastructure with the urban energy of independent initiatives – that makes Milan Design Week the most important place to observe how the future of the industry is taking shape, attracting as many as 300,000 visitors. How can you make the most of your time here? We’ve got some tips!
Salone del Mobile
This year’s Salone del Mobile offers thousands of premieres, with a strong presence of Polish brands clearly evident. In the pavilions of Fiera Milano Rho, dfm, Loope, Artu, Olta, Sedja, Ciarko, Form at Wood, Monno by Ciarko Design, Pent and Tubądzin are presenting their stands – each showcasing a different approach to materials, technology and functionality. Polish designs stand out for their attention to detail. It is clear that the domestic industry is using the Salone del Mobile not only as a venue for presentation, but also as a genuine platform for building international recognition.
Meanwhile, the key sections of this year’s edition are underway, but from our perspective, it is the Polish brands that bring a distinct touch to the event: conscious design, artisanal precision and the ability to combine technology with aesthetics. Form at Wood is showcasing new acoustic solutions, Pent is expanding its wellness furniture range, and Tubądzin is showcasing new products as the first Polish tile manufacturer at the Salone del Mobile. The joint presence of these companies boosts the visibility of Polish design and confirms that, in this year’s edition, Poland is among the most prominent representatives from Central Europe. And this is borne out by other events during Design Week.
Alcova: design as art
This year’s Alcova Milano once again occupies unusual, rarely accessible spaces in Milan, transforming them into a platform for projects that straddle the boundaries between art, design and material experimentation. The curators focus on works that go beyond conventional thinking about function and form, which is why the installations are dominated by projects of a research-based, conceptual and process-oriented nature. Alcova remains one of the most eagerly awaited highlights of Milan Design Week – an event that offers a glimpse into trends developing outside the commercial mainstream of the fair.
This year, the Polish presence is particularly strong. Among those presenting their work are Salak Studio, NG Design, Pani Jurek Studio, Splot, the duo Ola Jakuć and Mati Sipiora, Michał Korchowiec, OOG Objects, Szymon Keller and Katarzyna Krej. Each of these projects brings a different formal language: from experiments with ceramics and light, through objects based on the reuse of materials and working with matter, to installations exploring the relationship between space and the user. Such a broad representation makes Polish artists one of the most prominent groups in this year’s edition, and their projects naturally fit within Alcova’s curatorial framework.
Alcova takes place across two venues: Villa Pestarini and the Baggio Military Hospital. Villa Pestarini, designed in 1938–39 by Franco Albini, is a modernist residence being opened to the public for the first time in history. A few kilometres away, Alcova occupies the spaces of the Ospedale Militare di Baggio – a vast complex built after the First World War. This year, new, previously inaccessible areas are being opened to the public, including the former chapel, the rectory and the historical archive. These are austere, unrenovated interiors where the layers of use and the passage of time are clearly visible. Their character forms a stark contrast to the modern design showcased during the event.
Polish modernism draws crowds at the Milan Fair
The exhibition “Polish Modernism. The Struggle for Beauty”, organised by the Visteria Foundation, is a must-see for every design enthusiast. Held on the 16th floor of Milan’s legendary Torre Velasca skyscraper – a symbol of post-war modernity – it has drawn crowds, demonstrating that Poland’s profile in the international design scene is on the rise. This is a great source of pride!
The exhibition features works by the following artists: Agnieszka Bar, Marek Bimer, Maria Chomentowska, Jacek Damięcki, Maja Ganszyniec, Zbigniew Horbowy, Aleksandra Hyz, Paweł Jasiewicz (Craftica Gallery), Ania Jaworska, Maria Jeglińska-Adamczewska, Julia Keilowa, Katarzyna Kobro, Edward Krasiński, Teresa Kruszewska, Rudolf Krzywiec, Aleksander Kuczma, Jan Kurzątkowski, Bohdan Lachert, Małgorzata Markiewicz, Roman Modzelewski, Paweł Olszczyński, Alicja Patanowska, Monika Patuszyńska, Igor Polasiak (Craftica Gallery), Rest Studio, Tomek Rygalik, Wszewłod Sarnecki, Wiesław Sawczuk, Mati Sipiora, Władysław Strzemiński, Władysław Wincze, Wojciech Zamecznik.
“The struggle for beauty has never been a struggle for decorative art – it has been a struggle for quality of life, and this question is more relevant today than ever before,” emphasises Katarzyna Jordan, founder of the Visteria Foundation and editor of the Polish edition of Vogue.
Another highlight here is the exhibition of works by the Polish-born architect and designer Jorge Zalszupin. It must be said that his works are truly captivating and transcend the era in which he created them (a huge round of applause for the organisers for bringing the work of this still relatively unknown artist to the fore!). Set on the 16th floor of Torre Velasca, the exhibition allows us to view Poland’s heritage whilst enjoying a panoramic view of the entire capital of Lombardy with its most magnificent landmarks.
The partners of the exhibition “Polish Modernism. The Struggle for Beauty” are the brands Audi, Omnires and glo, who deserve our thanks for supporting this initiative to promote Poland’s design heritage.
Design on four wheels
Audi impressed us with its pavilion designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. “Origin”, a futuristic egg-shaped pavilion set within the historic walls of the Portrait Milano hotel, is intended to reflect the new aesthetic direction Audi is taking. Futurism, electrification, and austere forms – this is what Audi is focusing on today. On the occasion of this event, Audi is celebrating its entry into the world of Formula 1, and we had the honour of seeing the race car with our own eyes.
We also popped into the exhibition at the Palazzo del Senato, where Škoda, in collaboration with artist Ricardo Orts, founder of Ulises Studio, has created an immersive exhibition promoting the new Epiq model. It’s enough to make your head spin with all the colours! And the magnificent Palazzo del Senato only enhances this impression.
KIA also presented an interesting pavilion, showcasing its concept models of electric vehicles. Although we aren’t huge fans of highly futuristic designs, and concept cars rarely actually go into production in the form they’re presented, we have to admit that the direction of development proposed by the Korean manufacturer makes a positive impression.
Of course, these are not all the automotive brands exhibiting in Milan. We also saw exhibitions by Cupra, Land Rover and Bentley Home, but motoring enthusiasts will find many more gems here.
Milan Design Week 2026. Exhibitions worth a visit.
As we mentioned, the Milan Fair is not just about the Salone del Mobile or Alcova. There are plenty of exhibitions scattered throughout the city that are well worth seeing. You’ll find most of them in the Brera district, but not only there – here, almost every building holds the magic of design. We’ll list a few interesting exhibitions for you that are worth mentioning:
Samsung – TheOpen Design Lab can be visited at Superstudio Più. It comprises over a dozen zones where the brand showcases its innovative and often prototype products. An interactive speaker that smiles? A minimalist mirror that analyses facial skin? There are plenty more technological curiosities there!
Moncler – a giant inflatable octopus has taken over the entire building. Its façade, courtyard and interiors. The eight-armed creature associated with the French brand catches the eye from afar. Inside, you’ll find the brand’s history and iconic garments embraced by giant tentacles.
glo – in line with the Fuorisalone 2026 motto – “Be the Project” – the installation created by Numero Cromatico in collaboration with glo aimed to place the human being at the centre of the installation. Hence its name: Y.O.U. Your Own Universe. Set at the centre of Palazzo Moscova, a large circular portal encourages visitors to interact with the art and experience it through physical movement. The object functions as a gateway inviting visitors to enter a reality where space ceases to be merely viewed and begins to be experienced and co-created. It is a kind of gravitational pull, leading from individual perception towards a communal experience.
LG x SKS – quality, elegance and technology. These three elements stood out most strongly at the exhibition co-created by LG and the Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) brand. Visitors were able not only to view the appliances, but also to interact with the installation and experience it through their senses (e.g. via tastings).
Siematic x Gaggenau x Miele x Loewe – the exhibition organised at Palazzo Adolfo Pini captivates with its subtle elegance. Here, luxury does not shout, but quietly waits to be noticed. The simplicity of form, combined with the highest quality materials, is a classic that will never cease to delight.
De’Longhi – a small but utterly delightful exhibition. De’Longhi has focused on combining design and architecture, transforming its coffee machines into models of townhouses or small palaces. The project “The World’s Smallest Coffee Shop” was created by master miniaturist Simon Weisse, who works on Wes Anderson’s films, amongst other things. Aren’t they lovely?
American Express – this is an exhibition you simply must visit. You really must! “Serotonine” is an installation that winds its way through the walls of the incredible Pinacoteca di Brera, one of the most important art museums in the whole of Italy.
Cosentino x Tom Dixon – Cosentino , in collaboration with Tom Dixon, presents its ‘Axis’ installation at Casa Manzoni. The collaboration between the Spanish manufacturer of materials for architecture and design and the British interior designer has attracted considerable interest.
Italian dolce vita, or nightlife during the Milan Design Week
Italians are renowned for their love of parties, exquisite food and lavish celebrations lasting until dawn. They were certainly not to be missed during the fair. Almost every exhibitor organises events and after-parties for their partners, clients and the residents of Milan, which impress not only with their scale but also with their sophisticated venues. Events brimming with art, sophisticated attire and a host of interesting people, held in magnificent, historic buildings, take celebration to a whole new level.
The DEORON curated exhibition with a strong Polish contingent
The joint exhibition by industrialkonzept and DEORON is a unique event! The exhibition delighted us with the coherence of its product selection, its raw atmosphere, and its industrial, almost ascetic space. DEORON began as an online platform operating at the intersection of design, research and lifestyle culture, with the aim of rethinking how we discover and experience objects in the world.
“We are guided by a very specific, almost instinctive eye. We are drawn to raw, imperfect, living objects, but also to gentler, more intimate, almost narrative forms. It is precisely in this tension that stories begin to come together.” — DEORON
Among the Polish exhibitors recognised by DEORON were the brands: SALAK, Please Touch, Bluba, Nodi, and Filomena. You can see their work below, and we would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to the creators on their recognition, as well as to the organisers for their excellent selection of works!
Milan. Between delight and excess
Let’s be honest – Milan isn’t one of our favourite cities in the world. There’s something about it that makes some people love it, whilst others are far from feeling that way. We find its hustle and bustle and rather chaotic street layout a bit overwhelming. The city developed around its defensive walls, which means that today you won’t find streets laid out like a ruler here, and junctions often connect streets at such crazy angles that it’s easy to get lost. You think you’re going left, but suddenly you realise you’ve gone… right.
However, it must be admitted that this city of 1.5 million (with a metropolitan area of almost 2.5–3 million) has its charms, incredible monuments and that certain atmosphere which draws people here from all over the world. By the way, did you know that Milan is considered the ‘city of millionaires’? One in every 12 people in this city is considered a millionaire; by comparison, the ratio in Warsaw is 1:105.
Milan Fair – tips from the whiteMAD editorial team
The sheer number of events, exhibitions and local projects can be quite overwhelming. We’ll tell you what to do and how to do it so you can see as much as possible without losing your mind. Let’s get started!
- Choose only the events and exhibitions that interest you!
You won’t be able to see everything. Accept that. Thousands of venues and pavilions, hundreds of exhibitions, dozens of events – all scattered across different corners of the city, which, despite good transport links, isn’t the easiest to get around. Browse the programme of events on the organiser’s website (here) and choose only those you definitely want to see.
- Make a list and plan your route.
As we mentioned in the previous point, events and exhibitions are scattered all over the city. Creating a list of the most important events and a logical route is key to seeing as much as possible. Running from one end of the city to the other, only to return to the same area after a few hours, is pointless. Literally.
- Follow the banners and flags.
If you see a street with distinctive red flags, you’re in an area where events or exhibitions related to the fair are taking place. It’s a sign that something important is happening nearby. Places directly linked to Milan Design Week are marked with distinctive flags. This is quite important, as some exhibitions take place in the gardens or courtyards of Milan’s huge palaces or townhouses. From the street, they’re easy to miss. A vertical flag on a pole lets you know to look into the courtyard, walk through the gate or look for a garden. And that’s where the magic of design happens!
- How do you get into exhibitions during Milan Design Week?
Here, things are a bit complicated. Some events are private. You won’t get in unless you’re on the guest list. That’s it. Full stop. Others are completely open. You walk in, nobody asks any questions – you do what you need to do and leave. Others require registration, which involves scanning a QR code, providing basic details (often mainly for marketing purposes), and you’ll receive a ticket, a wristband, or you can simply walk straight into the exhibition.
- Watch out for crowded exhibitions.
Some exhibitions or events attract huge crowds. For example, the queues for the Louis Vuitton or Gucci exhibitions wound their way around several streets. The wait to get in lasted several hours. If you don’t want to waste time queuing, contact the exhibition organiser before your visit and ask about visitor numbers, the possibility of a ‘fast track’ entry, being added to a special list, or booking a VIP tour.
- Ask the Italians. The Italians will tell you.
Italians are a friendly and inquisitive people. As soon as they saw us wandering around trying to figure out where to go next, they often asked if they could help. Don’t be shy – ask the locals for directions. Not only do they know the best route, but they’ll also regale you with interesting facts about it.
- If not by plane, come by train.
Milan Central Station (Milano Centrale) can be summed up in one word: amazing! Built from the 19th century onwards and opened in 1931, it is a masterpiece of architecture. Grand, majestic, imposing. Stepping off the train directly beneath the station’s gigantic openwork vaulted ceiling makes a truly striking impression. So if you’re planning to come to Milan by train, get off at this station and you won’t regret it. Just a few steps away, you’ll find the first exhibitions.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Dress in layers. Take a rucksack or a bag.
We don’t want to sound like our mums, but Milan’s weather can be unpredictable. It might be chilly in the morning, only for the sun to beat down from the sky around 2–3 pm. Then it’s worth taking something off and putting it in your bag. Comfortable shoes are a must-have. We walked about 15–20 kilometres a day. Quite simply – you won’t manage in ball gowns and high heels. Physically and mentally.
- Grab the guide – it’s free!
Almost everywhere, at every exhibition or event, you’ll find a free guide. It’s a booklet containing 200 pages of practical descriptions of exhibitions, addresses and opening hours – very useful information when planning your itinerary. The photos and descriptions of the exhibitions are helpful, allowing you to decide what to see and where.
Below you’ll find a more extensive photo report from the entire Milan Design Week.
We’ll be adding more content every day on our INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/whitemadmagazine
We’d like to thank all the companies, brands and partners who made it easier for us to visit their exhibitions! Special thanks to: Samsung, Glo, the Visteria Foundation, Audi, McLaren!
Text by: Adam Zys
Photos by: Maciej Stacherski / photos taken with a SIGMA camera
