What Not to Miss During Design Week 2025

Design store openings, new food destinations and numerous exhibitions are springing up in Milan for Design Week, which runs from Monday to April 13.

Here, a roundup of some events to check out during the week in between viewing all the launches of new furniture, lighting and other home collections.

What to See

Gian Paolo Barbieri Photo Exhibition by Pomellato 

Milanese fine jewelry brand Pomellato pays homage to the late Italian photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri with a photo exhibition at the brand’s boutique.

The exhibition presents five shots from the photographer’s collaboration with the jewelry house. Four of them are black-and-white campaign images, among which there is the first Pomellato ad campaign featuring “The Twins” (1971).

“These images remind us how Barbieri’s artistic vision helped establish Pomellato’s distinctive voice in the world of jewelry, championing women’s freedom and authenticity — values that remain at our core today,” said Sabina Belli, chief executive officer of Pomellato.

Pomellato Boutique
Via San Pietro all’Orto, 17 – 20121

“Type-XIII Atelier Oï” Exhibition

Until April 13, the Issey Miyake Milan flagship will host the “Type-XIII Atelier Oï project” exhibition, created in collaboration with the Swiss-based design studio atelier oï and A-poc able, the design and manufacturing system first introduced in Paris by Issey Miyake in 1998.

The project investigates the concept of combining a piece of wire and a piece of cloth into innovative lighting products, showcasing the prototypes called “the O series” and “the A series” in an installation.

The former is a portable lighting series codeveloped with Ambientec, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in portable lighting for which atelier oï designed an oval wire frame, while the lampshade incorporates a recycled polyester material called “Steam Stretch,” which is the same textile technology utilized in A-poc able’s clothes-making process. The latter is a lighting series made of seamless knit fabric. The lampshades are pre-knitted into a roll of fabric and take on a three-dimensional form when wire frames are inserted.

Issey Miyake / Milan store
Via Bagutta, 12 – 20121

“Naturalia” Exhibition 

Buccellati presents the “Naturalia” exhibition to celebrate the beauty of nature during Design Week. Open until April 13, the exhibition takes place in Piazza Tomasi di Lampedusa.

Balich Wonder Studio, which conceives, produces and delivers live experiences, produced the exhibit while Berlin-based Studio Mary Lennox, a creative studio specialized in botanical design, created the set.

The exhibit explores Buccellati Silver Nature through three distinct natural environments: mountains, forests, and the depths of the sea. It also features Buccellati’s signature silver collection, the “Furry Animals.” 

Piazza Tomasi di Lampedusa
Via Brisa – 20123

“Mendini x Venini” Exhibition 

Damiani unveils an exclusive exhibition with glass firm Venini called “Mendini x Venini” at its new boutique in Milan. The brand pays homage to the late Italian designer Alessandro Mendini, who collaborated with Venini from 1987 to 2019, by showcasing his works along with Damiani jewels.

Visitors can also find several drawings of the artist, chosen in collaboration with the Alessandro Mendini Archive.

Among the works showcased is the “Glass Soldier” (2001), which portrays a stylized head made of opaline blown glass and adorned with 18-karat gold earrings. The sculpture was produced in a limited edition of 99 pieces. Other pieces on display are from the “Giotto collection” (2005), which totals 119 items numbered according to Arabic numerals and five more numbered according to Roman numerals.

Boutique Damiani
Via Monte Napoleone, angolo Corso Giacomo Matteotti – 20121, 20122

“Speak Memory: A Conversation Across Time” Exhibition 

Cabana Magazine and its founder Martina Mondadori unveil the “Speak Memory: A Conversation Across Time” exhibition curated by former magazine editor Deborah Needleman. The exhibition draws its title from Vladimir Nabokov’s memoir and celebrates and supports artisanship.

The exhibition showcases pieces from craftspeople around the world who were asked to create site specific works merging design, craftsmanship and art, including handcrafted pieces made by the Korean leather artisan Dahyeon Yoo, and furniture pieces by the New York-based design studio Green River Project.

Many of them utilize materials from the artisans behind LVMH Métiers d’Art.

Casa Cabana
Via Bigli, 19 – 20121

“Romantic Brutalism. A Journey Into Polish Craft and Design” Exhibition

After Adrien Brody clinched the Oscar for his performance in the three-hour film “The Brutalist,” it’s no wonder the movement is having a moment right now. “Romantic Brutalism: A Journey Into Polish Craft and Design” introduces the world to the rich tapestry of Polish design that culminated in its own version of Brutalism after the country’s birth in 1918. 

The exhibition is being presented by Poland’s Visteria Foundation and was curated by Milan’s Federica Sala and created by Zuza Paradowska from Paradowski Studio. The showcase is a tribute to the work of 23 Polish designers and how their storytelling weaves into Poland’s design culture.

“The aim is to illustrate how concepts such as nature, eternity, and transformation, and styles such as Brutalism, Romanticism, Decadence, Folk and Art Deco are being reinterpreted and reimagined today, resulting in intriguing fusions, such as Romantic Brutalism or post-natural Decadentism,” Sala told WWD adding that overall, the showcase is a celebration of Poland’s origins and how its history eventually gave birth to some of the world’s most distinct Brutalist landmarks. “It’s a historic moment in which the world is rediscovering Brutalism,” she said. 

Viale di Porta Vercellina 11 – 20123

Gastel Kartell, “Il copione di un’amicizia per immagini [A friendship script through images]”

Piccolo Teatro Grassi welcomes the “Gastel Kartell, Il copione di un’amicizia per immagini [A friendship script through images],” which celebrates the 30-year collaboration between the late photographer Giovanni Gastel and the Luti family of the Italian furniture company. The works showcased come from the Kartell archive and include black and white shots that depict Kartell classic items such as the gold compass, or the little chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper. The exhibition is a “deserved tribute four years after Giovanni’s death in a symbolic place of Milan like the Piccolo Teatro,” said Claudio Luti, president of Kartell.

Piccolo Teatro Grassi
Via Rovello, 2 – 20121

“Making the Invisible Visible” Exhibition 

Google presents the exhibition “Making the Invisible Visible” at Garage 21 until April 13. 

The project was co-created by Google’s chief design officer of consumer devices Ivy Ross, and her design team in collaboration with the light and water artist Lachlan Turczan.

Guests first encounter Turczan’s “Lucida” (I-IV) installation, a series of spaces sculpted entirely from light. The project is interactive since visitors activate the work and make light bend, flow and solidify as they walk around.

Via Archimede, 26 – 20129

“Unleash Your Genius” Exhibition 

Notebook brand Moleskine unveils the “Unleash Your Genius” exhibition project at Base Milano in Via Bergognone, 34.

The project focuses on the idea that handwriting is an act of creative expression and an action that deeply engages the brain.

“We are thrilled to take part in Milan Design Week with this experiential installation. Moleskine celebrates the human genius and the enduring power of pen and paper,” stated Christophe Archambault, CEO of the brand. At the center of the installation is Tony Pignatelli’s origami brain sculpture crafted from Moleskine paper and visitors can contribute with sketches, thoughts and drawings to the wall made of Moleskine notebooks. Throughout the week immersive activities and workshops will be held by artists and calligraphers. 

Base Milano
Via Bergognone, 34 – 20144

“It Means Peace” Installation 

Italian jeweler Pasquale Bruni, in collaboration with creative director and executive producer Marco Balich and Balich Wonder Studio, present “It means Peace,” a site-specific installation located in the urban street bottleneck, called “strettone” in Italian, between Via Fiori Oscuri and the Orto Botanico di Brera.

The visitor is led to think about the concept of peace through sound, images and symbols.

Written in seven languages in neon through glass-blowing techniques is the word “peace” and visitors can hear voices from people who contributed to the cause. Under the writings are pools with floating lotus flowers, inspired by the designs of Bruni, where visitors can light candles and leave messages of peace.

Entrance from via Brera, 28 – 20121

Where to Eat

Hatsune at Ronin

Well-known Japanese chef Katsu Nakaji has opened his first restaurant outside Japan in Milan.

The new destination is located on the second floor of the House of Ronin building in via Vittorio Alfieri, 17. The fourth-generation sushi master, who has collected two Michelin stars for his restaurant in Tokyo, has developed an omakase menu, crafted for just 10 guests.

The first floor hosts the Robata restaurant, which recently brought to Milan the Japanese experience of Yakiniku, which means “grilled meat.”

The meat offering includes three types of wagyu beef from Japan and six international varieties from Spain, America and Australia. Beyond the grill, sushi remains a key element, with a dedicated section that complements the meat selection.

Ronin
Via Vittorio Alfieri, 17 – 20154
Tel. 02-89-36-7101
houseofronin.it

The Seed Milano

Milan has recently welcomed The Seed, a plant-based café and coworking space founded by Flavia Abbadessa and Adriana Masserini. It’s open until late afternoon for breakfast, lunch and snack time with several meal options and it is located in Viale Monte Nero, 78.

The breakfast menu includes banana bread, carrot cake, powerballs with coffee, natural infusions and smoothies. For lunch there are soups, salads, quiches and toasts, such as avocado toast or peanut butter and jam. The bakery section offers brownies and croissants. The coworking space is next to the food area and on the downstairs floor and is intended for workshops, networking events and more. 

The Seed Milano
Viale Monte Nero, 78 – 20135
theseed-milano.com

“Famiglia Rana” Temporary Bistro and Restaurant 

NonostanteMarras is a concept store located at Via Cola di Rienzo, 8 which until April 13 hosts the “Famiglia Rana” temporary bistro and restaurant.

Michelin-starred chef Francesco Sodano leads the kitchen, blending traditional recipes with influences from designer Antonio Marras’ hometown, Alghero, such as a Black Angus tataki with pompia emulsion made with a traditional citrus variety from Sardinia; burnt potato chips, and fiore Sardo, an uncooked hard cheese, or Sardinian gnocchi with rocket pesto and toasted pine nuts. The restaurant is open from breakfast through dinner, including lunch.

Marras has envisioned a black and white setting, where at the center of the showroom there will be his own “Chi ama la maestra [Those who love the teacher]” installation reinterpreting the school classroom concept with puppets and artistic suggestions. 

NonostanteMarras
Via Cola di Rienzo, 8 – 20144
antoniomarras.com

Mignon 

The Neapolitan pastry shop Mignon founded in 2016 has arrived in the Porta Romana district. The new food destination is open from breakfast through lunch, including aperitif hours and afternoon tea. Its offer includes traditional pastries such as the sfogliatella, the shell-shaped pastry with a sweet or creamy filling, and the pastiera Napoletana, the traditional Neapolitan cake. There are also toasts, salads and sandwiches.

There also are sugared almonds, candies, biscuits and chocolates. The project was designed by architect Walter Brunetto of the Genoa-based studio AMW Architettura with the consultation of architect Valentina Pelizzetti. The space features a big blue counter at the entrance and the surfaces of the work tables and small tables are made of Calacatta Oro marble. An artwork crafted in porcelain from Capodimonte portrays Parthenope, one of the sirens in Greek mythology.

Mignon
Corso di Porta Romana, 48 – 20122
mignonitaly.com

Where to Shop

Vispring

Vispring, the luxury handmade bed brand, has opened its first store in Milan, in Via Visconti di Modrone, 8.

The new two-floor store offers collections such as “wool fabrics,” which includes 25 new fabrics such as wool bouclé or the diamond majesty topper composed of nine layers of natural materials such as Shetland wool, royal alpaca, cashmere and more.

“The showroom is the proof of Vispring’s commitment to expanding its international presence,” said Martin Gill, CEO of the brand.

All the products are made to measure in Plymouth, England.

Vispring
Via Visconti di Modrone, 8 – 20122
vispring.com

Rak Ceramics Design Hub

Rak Ceramics, one of the largest ceramic brands in the world, specialized in ceramic and gres porcelain wall and floor tiles, sanitary ware, faucets and tableware, has unveiled its design hub in via Borgogna, 8.

The space covers 4,320 square feet and was designed by the Milan-based architecture firm MMA Project.

The hub showcases Elie Saab bathroom and surface collections; Kludi bathroom and kitchen fittings, and Rak Porcelain, specialized in tableware and cutlery.

The opening in Milan follows new stores in Dubai, London and Frankfurt.

RAK Ceramics Design Hub
Via Borgogna, 8 – 20122
rakceramics.com

Eredi Zucca Milano

Eredi Zucca is a Milan-based men’s beauty brand that has opened its first store in Via Bigli.

Its barber tradition dates back to the 17th century, when Carlo Antonio Zucca opened his first barbershop in the Italian city. The brand’s offer includes grooming, skin care, body care, hair care and manicure essentials products.

Razor handles and bristles are made of deer horn, ebony or resin by artisans, who also create brushes and combs, luxurious saffiano leather beauty cases, and the brand’s iconic marble jars. 

There are three luxury suites, all of which have mosaic floors, ebony walls, paneled ceilings and metopes crafted by Venetian glassmakers.

Eredi Zucca Milano
Via Bigli, 6 – 20121
eredizucca.com

Convey

Convey, a project led by Simple Flair that aims to establish a network between contemporary brands and key design players, has inaugurated a new location in Porta Venezia. The venue is located in via Rosolino Pilo, 14 and will host brands and projects such as the Convey Market, a space dedicated to showcasing new design.

The latest edition, which marks the project’s third, introduces the concept of guest designers and will feature Sunfish, a New York-based design studio that will present its self-produced furniture collection for the first time in Europe.

“Convey was created to foster synergies and connections between design brands in a contemporary and intentional way, a platform for exchange and relationship with both a cultural and commercial purpose,“ stated Riccardo Crenna, cofounder of Simple Flair.

Convey
Via Rosolino Pilo, 14 – 20129
conveyproject.com

— With contributions from Sofia Celeste