Design, as event DOWNLOAD PDF

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile and Fuorisalone together are the Milan Design Week, an event that lures in thousands of design enthusiasts. Cristiana Bonzi reports on this year's Week.

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile and Fuorisalone together define the Milan Design Week, the most important event in the world for those passionate about design. Every year, in April, the Week draws thousands of intrigued visitors and design enthusiasts. Fashion is an innate part of the set of events.

The Salone del Mobile is a global benchmark for the home furnishing and design sector. Since 1961, it has promoted Italian furniture and furnishing to the world. The event offers a 360° overview on the home furniture world, from unique pieces to sets, representative of all styles, from classic to modern design.

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile showcased three styles: Classic, Design and xLux—which is dedicated to timeless luxury. The event is seen as an international reference point for the furnishing and design sectors.

The Fuorisalone, on the other hand, is not a fair event in that sense. It is, in fact, a set of events distributed across different areas of Milan on the same days that the Salone Internazionale del Mobile takes place. The Fuorisalone does not have a central organisation, and is not managed by any institution. It was a result of spontaneity in the 1980s on part of companies working in the furnishing and industrial design sectors. It has since expanded into automotive, food, technology, telecommunications, art and fashion sectors.

This year too, from April 17 to 22, the Salone and Fuorisalone mobilised the whole town with a long list of events that went beyond the official exhibition, mostly held in brands’ showrooms. There were an astounding 1,500 mini-events spread across 11 key districts. Little wonder that in such a vibrant setting, the connection between design and fashion—both showcasing the ‘Made in Italy’ tag—should be all-pervading. These were promoted by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana with Milano Moda Design, a special calendar dedicated to fashion players for showcasing their home collections or host design-related events.