As humans, we tend to interpret meaning and hold beliefs both of which are guided by our thoughts. While we constantly explore and open ourselves to endless possibilities, there comes a point when we must ask ourselves where we are truly headed. The choices may be many, but are they aligned with your purpose – helping you remain both functional and emotionally fulfilled? In the realm of design, the same argument holds. Globally, the syntax of design is shaped by the intrinsic psychological and creative patterns of the cultures it emerges from. Whether influenced by folklore, individual vision, or geography, design reflects its origin. Amid this diversity, we must ask: to what extent does it resonate with where you come from – with the story you’re trying to tell, or the emotion you’re trying to convey? As I entered the Fiera Milano Exhibition Centre for the 63rd edition of Salone del Mobile, these thoughts lingered with me, prompting a deeper reflection on meaning, direction, and the emotional resonance of design.
The last edition of Salone made it clear to me that design offers resolution not only on a professional level but also on a deeply personal one. We seek answers – both tangible and emotional – through the language of form and function. If that’s the case, then something within the design ecosystem must be at work: a set of elements that interact in subtle ways to guide us toward those answers. This interaction is primarily driven by nature itself – and emulated by minds, which instinctively seek alignment with the natural world. The photography by Bill Durgin, a part of the ‘Thought for Humans’ campaign which focused on the intimate relationship between human bodies, materials, and design, emphasizing sustainability and harmony felt like an extension of this analogy. Trams moved through Milan like storytellers on rails, carrying the campaign’s visuals through the city streets. At airports, train stations, and metro stops, the message stood tall- quietly speaking to those on their way.
Umberto Eco, in The Island of the Day Before, wrote a beautiful line: ‘To survive, we must tell stories.’ That’s why the stories we tell about good design – and what it does to us as a species – matter deeply. In the story of good design products which are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and interact meaningfully with the mind are one of the key narrators of design for an end consumer. At Salone Del Mobile over 2,100 exhibitors from 37 countries attempted to emphasize this fact across 169,000 square meters of sold-out exhibition space.
Adding a dose of youthful perspective to this narrative were emerging designers under 35 at SaloneSatellite. In a contemporary timeline where AI and technology have become integral to our lives, 700 creatives from 36 countries, alongside 20 international design schools, were actively engaging with the theme “New Craftsmanship: A New World” – an exploration of the evolving relationship between handmade design and industrial innovation.
The love for Salone del Mobile grows each year not just for its impressive scale, but for how it brings critical ideas to life. Each edition introduces a theme that prompts us to question the role and relevance of design in our lives. Answers to these questions including the more intangible ones are reflected through thought-provoking installations and panel discussions. Brands that consistently engage with this spirit of creative inquisitiveness offer tangible solutions in the form of innovative products, contributing to the fair’s global success.
In terms of attendance at Salone Del Mobile, India also made a notable appearance among the top-ranking countries, reaffirming its growing relevance in the global design conversation and strengthening ties with Italy’s furnishing industry. China retained the top spot despite a noticeable dip, reflecting broader economic challenges. European attendance remained stable, aligning with strong export performance. Germany ranked second, with Spain and Poland following as standout export markets in 2024.Other countries in the Top 10 included Brazil, Russia, France, the United States, and Switzerland.
Back in Mumbai I studied at Somaiya Vidyavihar, the motto of the institution used to be and still is ज्ञानादेव तु कैवल्यम्, meaning “Knowledge Alone Liberates.” More than 3000 miles away, when I was staring at Es Devlin’s Library of Light, a monumental kinetic sculpture at the Pinacoteca di Brera, it gave me another reason to appreciate how Salone as a fair manages to entrench arenas of your life you least expected it to and connect them to design. That is perhaps what makes it even more interesting. Library of Light, a revolving cylindrical masterpiece housing 3,200 illuminated volumes, transformed the historic courtyard into a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. It stood as a striking metaphor for the ever-evolving nature of knowledge. A reflection of humanity’s unending quest for understanding, to me the installation also signified that true knowledge unlike dynamic communication in the backdrop of new technologies, cultures, and conversations brings people closer.
At Fiera Milano Exhibition Center brands were also indulging in garnering eyeballs in their own unique ways when I visited the Kartell stall little did I expect to see a car amidst the innovative furniture the brand took a bold step by placing a car at the center of its display – the all-new Grande Panda Kartell. This collaboration with Fiat marked a significant milestone in Kartell’s evolution, as the brand ventured beyond interiors to explore the intersection of mobility, sustainability, and design. Fiat’s revival of the Grande Panda was reimagined through Kartell’s distinctive lens, blending vibrant aesthetics with responsible innovation. The striking red exterior and Tasmania Blue interior served as bold expressions of this creative synergy. More than a product launch, the Grande Panda Kartell represented a meeting of minds and values.
The event’s cultural program was equally impressive, featuring the “Drafting Futures” series of talks that brought together some of the industry’s most influential voices. Speakers including Bjarke Ingels, Lesley Lokko, and Es Devlin explored crucial topics ranging from environmental sustainability to the future of urban design, These discussions provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of design and its broader societal implications.
Design, at its core, is a journey – a quest to connect distant memories with present realities. It is a means to evoke joy, to bring meaning to our lives by weaving together the past and the present. Through design, we attempt to walk the paths of memory, hoping that, by some magic, they will lead us to a happier, more fulfilling now. In this pursuit, we search for answers in the past to help shape a better, brighter future. Along the way, we turn to brands and products that bear the imprints of countless emotions from across eras. These brands carry a legacy of happiness – each one, at its core, once thoughtfully crafted through design. Ultimately, we are searching for belonging – for echoes of joy once felt, and the designs that held them. We seek meaning, comfort, and connection, hoping to recreate that same ecosystem of happiness in today’s world.
Pierre-Yves Rochon – Villa Heritage | © Monica Spezia, Salone del Mobile 2025
This dialogue between memory and modernity was beautifully captured by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon in his installation Villa Héritage. Inspired by tradition but shaped with a modern touch, the space showed how design can be timeless – connecting different eras, blending art forms, and redefining luxury as something emotional and sensory.
One of Salone’’s compelling features was also the return of the Euroluce biennial, which brought together over 300 exhibitors from 25 countries . The exhibition was complemented by the groundbreaking Euroluce International Lighting Forum, where industry luminaries such as Robert Wilson, Marjan van Aubel, and Stefano Mancuso shared their insights on the future of lighting design. The forum’s venue, the Forest of Space Arena designed by Sou Fujimoto, became a symbol of the event’s commitment to innovative spatial design.
What made Euroluce even more special was Mother, a performance by renowned Texan director and playwright Robert Wilson at the Ancient Ospedale Spagnolo in the Museo Pietà Rondanini – Castello Sforzesco. There, Michelangelo Buonarroti’s unfinished masterpiece was reinterpreted through an installation that combined light and music, offering a 45-minute experience of deep, mystical contemplation.
The installation Mother opened the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025. The project, created in conjunction with the Municipality of Milan | Culture and curated by Franco Laera for Change Performing Arts, was inaugurated on 6 April. “In the year of Euroluce, hosting the Salone del Mobile with Robert Wilson was a dream come true,” said Maria Porro, president of the Salone del Mobile.Milano. The term Mother stayed with me and made me reflect. Milan Design Week typically lasts for one week and features a plethora of design events across the city. In this context, Salone del Mobile stands out as the “mother” of all events – drawing a global audience to Milan and guiding them to its extended family of vendors, exhibitions, and parallel happenings that together define the spirit of Milan Design Week.
The numbers substantiate the fact as well, In the aftermath of the announcement of the US tariffs, at a time of maximum international market tension, the 2025 edition of the Salone registered great expectations for new business geographies: from 8th April onwards, 350 major investors, buyers, retailers, contractors and media from 50 countries with 27 delegations from Asia and the Gulf countries attended the trade fair. The number of students visiting Salone 2025 was similar to 2024 and much higher than in 2023, with 8,517 from Italy and 6,543 from other countries – a 32% increase compared to the last edition of Euroluce.
In addition, 39,000 people visited SaloneSatellite, confirming its role as a global showcase of young creativity and a key space for companies looking for new talent. Salone Del Mobile by its mere presence has become a mandatory component in the global design ecosystem which introduces you to the dominion of design in a way you will cherish and come back for more. So it is no surprise people look up to it as the UN of Design, a point which was clarified by President Maria Porro on her visit to New Delhi earlier in February 2025.
In the coming years, Salone del Mobile is set to gain even greater significance, especially amid ongoing trade tensions between Chinese manufacturers and the United States, which have brought increased scrutiny to luxury brands. Consumers are likely to become more cautious, placing greater value on craftsmanship and product authenticity. As a result, face-to-face as also touch and feel interactions with reputable brands will become increasingly important in building trust and addressing their concerns, something Salone has long championed.
In the midst of these thoughts, I came to see that it was the last day of Salone – and that it would be almost a year before the magic of design brings everyone together again to tell another story in 2026. Until then, it’s La Dolce Attesa – a sweet kind of waiting, as they say in Italy – or a waiting that breaks free from obsession, much like what director Paolo Sorrentino sought to convey in his installation of the same name.
As I made my way towards Porta Est of the Fiera Milano Exhibition Centre, I found myself reflecting not just on what I had seen, but on what I had felt. In design – as in life – aesthetics matter. They captivate, inspire, and create desire. Unlike fake or bad design, which feels pretentious, like the nouveau riche, true design goes further. It brings together form and feeling, beauty and intention. The most compelling creations at Salone Del Mobile just like the fair itself stood out for being both visually stunning and emotionally intelligent. They respected tradition, embraced innovation, and spoke the unspoken language of belonging.
So, the real question is not only whether there are many choices, but like I said at the very beginning whether those choices make you feel seen, connected, and understood. That is where design becomes human. That is where it becomes meaningful. It’s a lot like a successful relationship – when the right choice doesn’t just make sense, it feels right. It wraps you in warmth, lifts your spirit, and brings a quiet clarity that helps you sail through both good weather and bad.
Text By : Vikas Bhadra
Connect Online@www.salonemilano.it/en
