Best of Salone del Mobile Milano, Fuorisalone & Milan Design Week 2023

personalize your living room koket llado salone del mobile 2023

In April 2023, over 300K design lovers from around the world came to Milan to see more than 2K exhibiting brands from 37 countries at Salone del Mobile Milano. And to enjoy all the events of Fuorisalone and all the other Milan Design Week 2023 happenings!

Read on to discover our favorites with the Love Happens Best of list from Salone del Mobile Milano, Fuorisalone, and Milan Design Week 2023.

At Milan Design Week & Fuorisalone 2023

For this year’s Milan Design Week, Fuorisalone selected the theme, “Laboratorio Futuro”, an ode to how we imagine our future.

From Salone del Mobile’s 61st edition to the design-infused events of Fuorisalone in Brera Design District, Zona Tortona, 5Vie, and historic buildings and landmarks across the city, design filled Milan during this week in April 2023! In case you missed it, or in case you were curious about what we loved most, here you have it!


Brands We Love from Salone del Mobile.Milano & Euroluce 2023


Design shone brightly as home decor brands brought their finest to Salone del Mobile Milano 2023 and its lighting exhibition Euroluce. There was lots to love, but these are a few of the best of Salone del Mobile Milano we loved most!

Roberto Cavalli

At Love Happens, we always love Roberto Cavalli’s exotic flair! For its 2023 introductions, the brand’s signature animal prints and reptilian figures starred. The brand also debuted a Leda and the Swan inspired collection, a match made in heaven for those who love rococo.

VILLARI

The iconic Italian luxury porcelain and home brand VILLARI showcased its design talent and long-standing trusted-brand history with stunning nature-inspired designs at Salone del Mobile 2023.

milan design week 2023 Villari 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Ruggiero Scardigno / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)
Villari 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Ruggiero Scardigno / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)

KOKET

Radiating with its luxurious, edgy designs, our publisher KOKET offered up a space to celebrate authenticity and individuality at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023! During the fair, KOKET collaborated with the Spanish Porcelain brand Lladró and Thai silk master Jim Thompson, each adding unique individuality to the exhibit.

Visionnaire

From their stand at Salone to their installation L’IMPERO DEI SENSI in collaboration with Studio Pepe (on until June), Visionnaire is Italian-made luxury we oh so love!

milan design week 2023 visionnaire salone del mobile milano
Visionnaire 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Alessandro Russotti / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)

Meystyle

LED wallpaper? Yes Please!

Barovier&Toso

When in Italy, Murano glass is a must and Barovier&Toso is a master.

milan design week Barovier&Toso Murano 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Alessandro Russotti / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)
Barovier&Toso Murano 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Alessandro Russotti / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)

Clan Milano

In a pink lovers’ delight at Clan Milano, Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year Viva Magenta radiates, and the concept of recovering and reusing elements of the past rings out.

Versace Home

Bold Versace Home glamour debuted at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023 in the form of a new collection by architects Roberto Palomba and Ludovica Serafini from ps+a studio under the direction of Donatella Versace.

Preciosa

Craftsmanship and style define Preciosa Lighting, and their Crystal Beat immersive installation at Euroluce 2023 was a design delight.

Preciosa 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Diego Ravier / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)

Slamp

Handmade in Italy, Slamp came to show in Milano 2023.

Tom Dixon

Always a lighting exhibition favorite, Tom Dixon did not disappoint at Salone del Mobile 2023.

SICIS

Made in Italy, beauty and allure are at the heart of SICIS. It never ceases to be amazing seeing so many tiny tiles become such a grand work of art.

SICIS 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Ruggiero Scardigno / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)

Iris Cristal Bohemia

Art and design meld with Bohemia crystal to create stunning lighting. Made in Czech Republic, assembled in Spain.

Philip Plein

A mix of modern and classic for a timeless look we love!

Philip Plein 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Ruggiero Scardigno / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)
Philip Plein 2023 Exhibition (Photo by Ruggiero Scardigno / Courtesy Salone del Mobile.Milano)

What We Loved In the City @ Fuorisalone 2023 Milan Design Week


Beyond the Surface by Solid Nature

Designed by Ellen Van Loon and Giulio Margheri of architectural design firm OMA for Dutch natural stone master SolidNature, Beyond the Surface’s immersive installation wowed everyone who visited!

Gallery Rossana Orlandi & the Ro Guiltless Plastic Prize 2023

On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2023, Rossana Orlandi and her legendary art and design gallery came to show. Not just beautifully crafted innovative creations, but also good for the Earth design with the Ro Guiltless Plastic Prize 2023.

Love Happens had the honor of interviewing Rossana Orlandi and her daughter, lead on the Prize, Nicoletta Orlandi Brugononi, read it for our insider chat here!

Ro Plastic Prize 2023 Finalists Exhibition (Photo courtesy of Rossana Orlandi Gallery)
Ro Plastic Prize 2023 Finalists Exhibition (Photo courtesy of Rossana Orlandi Gallery)

Beyond the inspiring Ro Guiltless Plastic Prize finalists, some of our favorite artists showcased once again at Ro Gallery, including, the exceptional Emanuela Crotti and the debut of her exquisite Cabinet Emozioni; boucle by delightful Bethan Gray; majestic glass by Baroncelli; the whimsical Helicoidale lighitng by Atelier Öi; unique art by Altreform; and stunning glass works by Draga & Aurel.

Fornasetti

Timeless designs unfolded at Fornasetti once again at their Syntax of Making exhibition.

Doppia Firma: Arts & Crafts & Design at Palazzo Litta

“Doppia Firma is a project that brings together European design innovation and the tradition of great artisanship by creating a unique collection of original, refined objects. The aim is to give birth to new artworks that arise from a cross-fertilization of a design culture open to contemporary vision and a savoir-faire that is a genuine expression of territorial uniqueness.” Hence the principle of Doppia Firma, or “double signature”.

For the 7th edition a world of playfulness unfolded within the Baroque interior of Palazzo Litta where 24 creative duos interpreted “playfulness”.

L’Appartamento by Artemest

When it comes to 2023 events in the 5Vie district Artemest’s L’Appartamento, a 1930s Milanese apartment curated by six prestigious international design firms, brought lots to inspire. Explore the beautiful work by top designers Anne-Sophie PailleretKingston Lafferty DesignMONIOMI DesignNina MagonStyled Habitat, and T.ZED Architects.

Desacralized at Galerie Philia

Exploring desacralisation was the theme of international contemporary sculptural design and art gallery, Galerie Philia at Milan Design Week 2023. An installation showcasing over 20 designers exploring the theme concept.

Mohd Sinfonia by Nichetto Studio

A design symphony came to life with Nichetto Studio’s Mohd Sinfonia installation.

Poltrona Frau

Beautiful made-in-Italy with love, Poltrona Frau showcased their luxury furniture with a focus on deriving pleasure in life.

Osanna Visconti

During design week, cast-bronze furniture designer Osanna Visconti opened an Atelier to showcase her iconic designs. So much beauty!

Oltre la Soglia by Leandro Erlich @ Palazzo Reale Milano

Such a fun project! @leandroerlichofficial at @palazzorealemilano in collaboration with @galleriacontinua

Nilufar Gallery

Renowned art and design gallery Nilufar founder Nina Yashar exclusively picks each work of art and the inspiration that unfolds at the brand’s Gallery and Depot locations is exquisite. Milan Design Week 2023 exhibitions included the brand’s own new collection of handmade furniture, Objects of Common Interest iridescent resin furniture collection, New Scapes by Flavie Audi, and so much more!

The Vogue Closet & Sara Ricciardi

Curated by Sara Ricciardi, Vogue Italia opened its famous wardrobe The Vogue Closet to the public during Milan Design Week 2023. The talented Sara Ricciardi also created the beautiful Human Mandala for the occasion, an interactive project in celebration of the interconnectedness of human beings.

Artist Editions by Kohler @ Palazzo del Senato

Studio Kohler’s Artist Editions bathroom collection showcased at Palazzo del Senato alongside a sculpture by Janet Echelman as part of Fuorisalone 2023.

Dedon

Luxury outdoor furniture master Dedon took over Garden Senato Milano during Fuorisalone 2023 with so many designs to love for refined outdoor living.

Clay Court Club Pop-up Restaurant by Cristina Celestino @ Tennis Club Milano

We always love seeing what Cristina Celestino is up to and this fun project, while it was only a pop-up during the fair, is definitely worth a peek thanks to Cristina’s elegant eye!


Designer Brand Appearances on the Milan Design Week Scene


Loewe

While the chair thing may have been done by Dior and others in the past, it really doesn’t ever get old. A point proven by Loewe who brought chair art to Milan Design Week 2023.

Dior & Philippe Starck Debut the Monsieur Dior Armchair

Another chair exhibition and one we oh so love!!

Armani/Casa

For the first time during Fuorisalone 2023 the public was welcomed into Giorgio Armani’s historic headquarters at Palazzo Orsini to see the new Armani/Casa collection.

Louis Vuitton – Objets Nomades

During Milan Design Week 2023, Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades collection of furniture and design objects shined once again as part of the Fuorisalone events.

Hermès @ La Pelota

Classic modernity radiate from Hermès 2023 collection during Fuorisalone 2023.

Dolce & Gabbana Casa

Leopard print dominated in celebration of the iconic DG home collection. While Italian craftsmanship and international talent united in DG’s GenD mentoring initiative.

Karl Lagerfeld Maison

The first-ever furniture collection baring the legendary designers name, Karl Lagerfeld Maison offers statement designs each finely crafted in Italy.

Bottega Veneta

On the occasion of Milan Design Week 2023, Bottega Veneta and their set designer master Gaetano Pesce created a cave-like installation.

Versace Home

In addition to its presence at Salone del Mobile 2023, Versace Home showcased at its flagship Milan store.

Lora Piana

Dreamlike rock towers by Argentinian artist Cristian Mohaded made up Apacheta, Lora Piana’s immersive installation.

Missoni

Continuing the playful trend seen across Milan Design Week 2023, Missoni’s theatrical setup was all about Living Inside-Out.

Wrapping Up With Trends

When it comes to trends emerging during the Milan Design Week, Fuorisalone, Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023 affairs, a few stand loud for us:

Playful & Dreamy

After the past few years it comes as no surprise playful design is trending in. A welcomed light, airy and dreamy look we loved everywhere we saw it. KOKET’s bold embracing of individuality also fit right into this trending category.

AI & Meta

Yes AI and the future of the metaverse are real and every rapidly changing. So on occasions like Milan Design Week, Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone 2023 these topics appeared throughout the events. @madarchitects brought ethereal, AR-powered cube installation. @apocableisseymiyake_official’s metamaterials mesmerized with Nature Architects, @jcp_universe brought a unique metaverse, and so much more.

Marble in All Its Glory

Italy is know for the finest marbles so of course an Italian based fair had lots to offer in this category. A few of our favorites, @barberosgerby for @marsotto_edizioni, Studio Yellowdot @ RO, Melchiorris Studio Gallery, Florim, Marossotto designs by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby, Antolini, Serafini, and on∙entropy: A Future for the Past curated by Maria Cristina Didero.

Sustainability

A staple in today’s world and a necessary on every list of trends! Sustainability. At Milan Design Week, Fuorisalone and Salone del Mobile 2023 sustainability and eco-conscious design was of top importance as it should be! Event brands who aren’t traditionally in the furniture design world, like @nike made their mark during the event turning a former bakery into a production line. A project set to explore sustainable footwear design, from using green materials to fully recyclable parts.

Sensory Design

Perhaps tied to our need for sensorial stimulation post-pandemic, or perhaps just because it is a great way to think about design, either way, the topic of sensory design came up often across the Milan festivities. The theme was also the center of Google’s Milan Design Week appearance with Shaped by Water, a sensory water installation put on by the internet powerhouse.

Cheers to another wonderful week of design and inspiration in Milan!

Words by Sofia Silva


More to Love!

Milan for Design Lovers, An Lh Luxury City Guide


⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀