JJ Martin's Milan Guide for Salone del Mobile 2026

Designer JJ Martin, founder of La DoubleJ, shares her Milan recommendations during Salone del Mobile 2026. Martin, a California-born resident of Milan for 24 years, previously worked as a journalist for publications including the Wall Street Journal and Harper's Bazaar before launching her brand in 2015. Her company, known for vibrant patterns and maximalist style, began by selling vintage clothing and later collaborated with furniture maker Kartell in 2016, applying bold prints to minimalist pieces. For this year's design week, Martin highlights the event's inclusive nature compared to more exclusive fashion weeks, noting key activity areas in Brera and the fairgrounds. Her brand will present inflatable sculptures of new products, give away pins, and debut an outdoor line with poufs and pillows, plus a tabletop collection called Fiesole designed for Villa San Michele near Florence. Martin recommends central accommodations such as The Four Seasons, Grand Hotel et de Milano, and Portrait Milano for visitors. She suggests cultural institutions including Triennale Milano, which is hosting an Andrea Branzi exhibition curated by Toyo Ito, Fondazione Prada, and Palazzo Reale, currently showing an Anselm Kiefer exhibition. Favorite dining spots include Pasticceria Cucchi, Caffe Leonardo, and Marchesi 1824. For excursions, she recommends Villa Litta and Lake Como, accessible within an hour. Martin cites Milan's diverse architectural influences and Italian craftsmanship as ongoing inspirations for her work.