Fuorisalone has already registered over 600 events ahead of Milan Design Week, despite concerns over the Middle East crisis. Organisers aim to host more than a thousand events across the city. So far, there is no clear evidence that the conflict is affecting the Milan Design Week, scheduled from April 20–26, including the Milan Furniture Fair (April 21–26 in Rho), Fuorisalone's neighbourhood events, and city-selected projects. While the Salone del Mobile organisers remain confident, the ticket sales are strong and only one Lebanese exhibitor reportedly canceled due to shipping difficulties, Fuorisalone also shows encouraging signs. This is what Giovanna Mancini writes in an article on ilsole24ore.com.
© Furiosalone
Fuorisalone continues its steady growth, with over 600 events already registered and the goal of surpassing 1,000, reinforcing the international significance of Milan Design Week. Paolo Casati, co-founder of Studiolabo, which manages the Brera Design District and Fuorisalone.it, emphasises that the Middle East crisis has so far not impacted event planning or arrivals. The platform highlights design as a transversal lifestyle phenomenon spanning furniture, fashion, technology, and automotive sectors, resilient even through challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
A major innovation this year is the Fuorisalone Passport, a digital platform developed by Studiolabo to streamline access to events and track visitor origins and behaviours. With over 8,000 members and more than 40 participating Brera companies in the pilot phase, the tool will expand to other districts next year, providing valuable insights for investors, journalists, and operators. Event selection is becoming more curated, favouring focused daytime events over large parties.
The 2026 program emphasises thematic engagement. Fuorisalone.it's theme, Being Project, encourages design as a dynamic, imperfect process fostering dialogue between cultures, materials, and ideas. Brera Design Week features 217 permanent showrooms (including nine new), with over 200 temporary exhibitors and sponsors, totalling more than 300 initiatives. Superstudio presents 70 projects from 91 brands and 88 designers across 30,000 m², including the new Superstudio Village, repurposed from a former factory to host emerging talent.
Porta Venezia Design District returns with Design is Act, inspired by Tomás Maldonado, promoting design as action that links thought, material, memory, and future impact. Following a 33% visitor increase in 2025, it launches the Città Studi Design Hub to connect design with research and education. Meanwhile, Isola Design District celebrates its 10th anniversary by revitalising historical exhibition spaces and opening new ones, reinforcing its connection with the heart of the district.
Source: ilsole24ore.com
