Isola Design District returns for Milan Design Week with open call and international participants

Milan's Isola district is relaunching for Salone del Mobile (April 4–9) with a renewed focus on craftsmanship and maker culture, formalized as the Isola Design District. The district will host the second edition of Milan Design Market at photographer Gianni Rizzotti's studio in via Pastrengo 14, featuring a marketplace of international designers alongside a convivial gastronomy space with a showcooking stage. Dutch Invertuals will exhibit at Spazio O, and Social Label at Crud. Japanese participation is confirmed: Kensaku Oshiro will present his Chiavari Chair, made for chef Keisuke Matsushima's restaurant in Nice, in his new studio in via della Pergola; designers Tomoya Tabuchi and Tomoyuki Sakakida will showcase products for e’interiors, a Tokyo-based contract company. Longtime district member Algranti Lab will open its studio in via Pepe to reveal new handcrafted pieces from recycled materials. The association Source Design Autoprodotto launched an open call for an exhibition titled "Obstacles & Solutions," curated by Valia Barriello, to be held at Frida during design week. The show will reveal the design process and obstacles encountered, featuring confirmed "big" names such as Paolo Ulian, Lorenzo Damiani, Donata Paruccini, Carlo Contin, and Federico Angi, while also targeting emerging designers. Submission deadline is February 19.