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ITALY – The 2025 Milan Design Week kicks off, generating an economic impact of 278 million euros through the Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone, with over 1,650 events spread across the city.
Confcommercio has estimated the economic impact of the event, which takes place from April 7th to 13th, on the city of Milan. Exhibitions, events, installations, and public openings will enliven 18 different neighborhoods, each with its own identity and offerings.
The Milan Design Week, which begins on Monday, April 7th, is a flagship event of Milan’s calendar, encompassing the Salone del Mobile in Rho Fiera (read news) and Fuorisalone (read news), with 182 initiatives (+3.4% compared to the 2023 edition), totaling 1,650 appointments in the city (20.5% more than last year).
According to the estimate by Confcommercio’s Research Office, the event generates a total economic impact of 278 million euros for Milan. The average spending per person is expected to be 275.5 euros (+1%). Accommodation expenses, accounting for 41% of total spending, lead the economic impact, followed by spending on food and drink (30%), shopping (24%), and tickets for the fair (5%).
Exhibitions, events, installations, and public displays will animate 18 different districts of the city, each characterized by its unique identity and offerings.
According to Confcommercio’s report, 73% of the total economic impact, which represents a 6% increase from 2024, will come from the spending of foreign visitors, estimated to amount to 202 million euros. Meanwhile, Italians’ spending will total 76 million euros, a decrease of 10%. The overall economic impact of the Salone is expected to increase by 1.1% compared to 2024, and the number of visitors to the city is estimated to rise by 1.1%. Confcommercio forecasts that 320,870 people will visit the city, with 64% of them being Italians and 36% foreigners.
From April 7th to 13th, a week of events and initiatives dedicated to design in its various forms will attract companies, industry professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts from around the world.
The 2025 edition marks a new record, with more than 1,650 events and initiatives planned in public spaces, retail stores, design showrooms, historic buildings, museums, theaters, and former industrial spaces, including those in neighborhoods far from the center.
“The Milan Design Week continues to be not only a prestigious and internationally relevant event but also a driver of economic and cultural growth for the entire city and its neighborhoods, with important effects that extend beyond the days of the event,” says Alessia Cappello, the City of Milan’s Councillor for Economic Development and Employment Policies. “With its ability to renew itself, the Milan Design Week, together with the Salone del Mobile, has contributed over the years to consolidating Milan’s position as the global Home of Design. This is confirmed by the continuously growing numbers of expected visitors for this edition, the 20% increase in initiatives, as well as the economic impact and relationships with buyers and stakeholders.”
The Milan Design Week in Historic Buildings
As usual, the Milan Design Week offers the opportunity to discover the city’s historic buildings, which will open their doors to host design-related initiatives. MoscaPartners Variations returns to its historic venue at Palazzo Litta. Palazzo Bovara and Palazzo Castiglioni on Corso Venezia will host Elle Decor projects: Alchemica and Appartamento Spagnolo. The former archbishop’s seminary, now Portrait Milano, remains the location of Audi House of Progress, while the Galleria d’Arte Moderna will host Hearst’s La Casa dell’Architetto.
Other exhibitions include Villa Mozart on Corso Venezia, hosting Doppia Firma by Fondazione Cologni, Villa Necchi Campiglio with an immersive light-themed exhibition promoted by Occhio, and Palazzo del Senato – the Milanese headquarters of the State Archive – featuring the Source of Pleasure installation by Brazilian designer Juliana Lima Vasconcellos, promoted by Lavazza.
The Milan Design Week in the Neighborhoods
Initiatives, installations, and special projects will animate neighborhoods such as Barona, Corvetto, Certosa, Dergano, NoLo, Stadera, and Gallaratese. In Barona, Labò returns for the third year, focusing on collectible design and artistic research, curated by The Design Blender.
Design for Young Designers
Through a call for projects, the Municipality has invited operators to imagine activities and projects aimed at young designers, to promote their participation in the Milan Design Week and give visibility to their work. The call has been embraced by 51% of the operators, including those from Tortona District (Superstudio, Tortona Rocks, and Tortona Area Lab) and initiatives from Porta Venezia Design District and Isola Design Festival.
The emerging design scene will also be in focus at BASE Milano, with Exhibit, a platform for young designers and universities. Additionally, the Temporary Home residence will host five selected young designers in open studio spaces to showcase their creative process.
A More Sustainable, Circular, and Accessible Week
As in previous years, the 2025 edition will focus on environmental and social sustainability. 52% of the projects included in the program will incorporate circular solutions, such as reusing previous setups or materials already available in the city.
Public Space Design
Among the initiatives, 64 operators have presented projects focusing on public space design and the role of design in building places for community and social interaction. One example is Panorami Urbani by MO1950, featuring urban furniture inspired by Milan’s M1 metro line.
Design Week in Museums and Theaters
Milan Design Week will also involve museums, exhibition spaces, and theaters, further demonstrating the deep connection between design and art. ADI Design Museum will present the Best of Both Worlds: Italy exhibition, exploring the dialogue between art and industry in Italian design, while Triennale Milano will host several design and architecture projects, including Forme Mobili, an exploration of the relationship between the body, silhouette, and movement.
Women & Design
The Milan Design Week will also serve as a platform for promoting female empowerment, with initiatives focused on female designers. At the Cervantes Institute, Designers (Ri)designing the World celebrates the contributions of 12 Spanish designers to a more sustainable and inclusive reality.
Fashion at Milan Design Week
Fashion and design will meet again in 2025, starting with Milano Moda Design, promoted by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, which will host home collections and events from numerous fashion brands, including Prada and Gucci.
The 2025 Milan Design Week Campaign
From the fair to the city to the world, Milan continues to be the Home of Design, as highlighted by the YesMilano campaign. For 2025, the campaign is renewed with the theme of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan Cortina 2026, with athletes from Milan’s sports teams becoming the faces of the Design Week campaign.
The campaign features three scenes: two members of the Milano Devils hockey team descending the stairs at the San Babila metro station, a group of synchronized skaters at the Central Station, and a curling player waiting for a bus, all set against iconic Milanese design landmarks.