63RD EDITION SALONE DEL MOBILE.MILANO – THOUGHT FOR HUMANS

Images courtesy of Salone del Mobile.Milano

Fiera Milano, Rho – 8-13 April: Building Worlds Fit for the Future

The 2025 Salone del Mobile.Milano, scheduled from April 8 to 13 at Fiera Milano, Rho, is set to be a pivotal event in the industrial manufacturing and design sectors, featuring over 2,000 exhibitors from 37 countries.

This edition emphasizes sustainable innovation and emotional intelligence, aiming to create future-ready environments. The event will showcase a total exhibition space of 169,000 square meters, including the highly anticipated return of the Euroluce Biennial, which will host more than 300 brands.

Monica Maggioni, Maria Porro, and Carlo Urbinati

The Salone del Mobile.Milano serves as a strategic platform for business and internationalization, attracting a diverse audience of professionals, with over 370,000 attendees expected from 146 countries. The financial impact of the event is significant, with Italian brands generating a turnover of approximately 9.24 billion euros, representing 34% of the national Furnishing Macro System’s total turnover.

Presented by Zipblind

This underscores the Salone’s role as a catalyst for growth and innovation within the sector. The Cultural Programme will feature site-specific installations by renowned figures such as Pierre-Yves Rochon, Paolo Sorrentino, and Robert Wilson, alongside the inaugural International Forum on Light. The event will also include discussions and round tables that focus on contemporary issues in design and sustainability. The Forest of Space Arena by Sou Fujimoto, Pav. 2); the Drafting Futures Talks and Round Tables that will bring together some of the brightest minds on the contemporary scene; and lastly a communication campaign – Thought for Humans. – reminding us how every project must respond, in the name of emotional intelligence, to the needs of human beings.

Maria Porro

Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, highlighted the importance of the event in fostering international collaboration and promoting Italian excellence in design. Sustainability remains a core commitment, with ongoing efforts towards ISO 20121 certification and the implementation of Green Guidelines for exhibitors. The SaloneSatellite initiative will continue to support young designers under 35, fostering intergenerational dialogue and innovation within the industry.

Carlo Urbinati

Claudio Feltrin, President of FederlegnoArredo, emphasized the Salone’s role as a vital platform for showcasing research and innovation, reinforcing its status as a leading business fair in the design sector. The event not only celebrates the past achievements of the industry but also aims to build a sustainable and innovative future.

Claudio Feltrin

The Annual Exhibitions
The upcoming April 2025 edition of the Salone del Mobile in Milan will feature four major exhibitions, including the Salone Internazionale del Mobile and the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, showcasing over 1,000 brands, with 73 being first-time participants or returnees. The event will emphasize a visitor-centric experience, highlighted by a loop-shaped redesign of four pavilions and new themed routes to enhance accessibility and engagement with the exhibits. The theme for this edition, “New Craftsmanship: a New World,” aims to bridge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, focusing on sustainability and local cultural identities.

Monica Maggioni, Maria Porro, and Carlo Urbinati

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) continues to support the Salone by promoting new exhibition formats in key markets such as the United States and China, while also facilitating an international promotional tour across Europe, Canada, and India. The event will welcome a diverse group of foreign professionals, with significant representation from various countries, reinforcing its status as a global platform for design.

Giuseppe Sala, Monica Maggioni, and Maria Porro

The Euroluce Biennial: Light for Life, Light for Spaces
Euroluce, the biennial lighting design exhibition, is set to return with over 300 exhibitors, nearly half of whom will be international. The event will serve as a key reference point for advancements in lighting design, emphasizing technology, sustainability, and user control. A new feature for 2025 is the Euroluce International Lighting Forum, which will host masterclasses and discussions with over 20 international experts, fostering a multidisciplinary dialogue on the future of lighting.

Monica Maggioni, Maria Porro, and Carlo Urbinati

The Cultural Programme
The cultural program accompanying the Salone will include notable installations and performances, such as Robert Wilson’s “Mother” and Paolo Sorrentino’s “La dolce attesa.” Additionally, the Formafantasma Arena will host a series of talks featuring prominent architects and thinkers, further enriching the event’s cultural landscape. The Corraini Mobile Bookshop will also provide a platform for independent publishers, enhancing the overall experience for attendees. The combination of innovative exhibitions, international participation, and a robust cultural program positions the Salone del Mobile as a pivotal event in the design calendar.

Monica Maggioni and Claudio Feltrin

The Salone in the CIty
Additionally, the Salone will expand throughout Milan, featuring exhibitions in over 100 showrooms and collaboration with cultural institutions like Teatro alla Scala, where Wilson will curate an opening night performance. The Design Kiosk will host presentations, and the Welcome Project will involve students guiding the public through events. Milan’s Mayor, Giuseppe Sala, emphasized the strong partnership between the city and the Salone, highlighting their mutual commitment to addressing present challenges and positively impacting the future.

PY Rochon

Salone Digital
The event will also feature a revamped digital platform designed to enhance user experience. The new website offers intuitive navigation, interactive maps, and exclusive content. Exhibitors will benefit from improved digital services, including matchmaking tools and appointment booking for their stands. Visitors can take advantage of online ticketing, an interactive map, a cultural program calendar, and personalized showreels summarizing their visits, all accessible through the website and accompanying app.

Robert Wilson | Paolo Sorrentino