Milan Design Week 2026: Bold Colors, Archival Revivals, and Sustainability
Milan Design Week 2026 saw brands embracing bolder hues like orange, purple, and yellow. B&B Italia returned to the fair for the first time in 25 years with a stand by Formafantasma. Knoll reused its booth framing from 2024, and Quadro commissioned Giacomo Moor for a stand that will become a public restroom in Zambia. Salone del Mobile introduced Raritas, a section for experimental and antique designs. Uzbekistan's exhibition "When Apricots Blossom" addressed the Aral Sea's ecological loss. Alessi revived Ettore Sottsass's 1993 dinnerware. Zanotta, after acquiring Carlo Mollino's estate, reissued his tables and chairs. Triennale showcased Lella and Massimo Vignelli's archive. B&B Italia exhibited 60 years of advertisements. Salone partnered with Milan archives for a free public night. Moooi celebrated its 25th anniversary with a performance by Yoann Bourgeois. Gucci filled a courtyard with blooms for its Memoria garden. Laila Gohar designed supersized vegetables for an Arket merry-go-round. Grohe integrated a refrigerated drawer into a vanity at its Aqua Sanctuary installation.
Key facts
- B&B Italia returned to Salone del Mobile after 25 years with a stand by Formafantasma.
- Knoll reused its booth structural framing since 2024.
- Quadro's stand by Giacomo Moor will be reconstructed as a public restroom in Zambia.
- Salone del Mobile introduced Raritas, a section for experimental and antique designs.
- Uzbekistan's exhibition 'When Apricots Blossom' addressed the Aral Sea's ecological loss.
- Alessi revived Ettore Sottsass's 1993 dinnerware collection.
- Zanotta reissued Carlo Mollino's tables and chairs after acquiring his estate.
- Triennale showcased an archive of designs by Lella and Massimo Vignelli.
Entities
Artists
- Laila Gohar
- Yoann Bourgeois
- Formafantasma
- Giacomo Moor
- Ettore Sottsass
- Carlo Mollino
- Lella Vignelli
- Massimo Vignelli
- Mies van der Rohe
- Franco Albini
- Gaetano Pesce
- Patricia Urquiola
- Simone Bonnanni
- Paola Pansini
- Yabu Pushelberg
- Tom Dixon
- Caecilia Rebbe
- Aaron Scythe
- Fabio Pisano
- Jakob + MacFarlane
- Atelier Oï
- Marrimor Objects
- Studio Roderick Vos
Institutions
- Salone del Mobile
- B&B Italia
- Knoll
- Quadro
- Alessi
- Zanotta
- Triennale
- Moooi
- Gucci
- Arket
- Grohe
- Cassina
- Poltrona Frau
- Minotti
- Living Divani
- Linteloo
- Scavolini
- Miele
- Fisher & Paykel
- Cosentino
- Coalesse
- Ligne Roset
- Petite Friture
- Alcova
- WHY Architecture
- Architectural Association school of architecture
- University of the Arts Bremen
- UMPRUM (Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague)
- HEAD Geneva
- Vintage Audio Institute
- Azure Magazine
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Bar Basso
- Baggio Military Hospital grounds
- Villa Pestarini
- Zambia
- Uzbekistan
- Aral Sea
- New Zealand
- London
- Vancouver
- Prague
- Geneva