Market analysis and insights from Heimtextil, the world’s leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, confirm a clear industry shift: fabrics are once again at the center of furniture and interior design, in both residential and contract sectors. Beyond traditional upholstery, textiles now play a strategic role in hospitality and high-traffic environments such as hotels, restaurants, lounges, offices, and public spaces.
Today, fabrics are key to the overall user experience. They help define atmosphere, comfort, and brand identity while improving environmental quality. Curtains, upholstery, wall coverings, and acoustic textiles influence visual perception, tactile comfort, and sound control. New technologies further expand their role, introducing functional finishes and fragrance solutions that enhance wellbeing and sensory impact.
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A growing and global textile market
The renewed importance of textiles is reflected in strong market performance. The global home furnishings and textile sector is growing at an estimated annual rate of 5% to 7%. Growth is driven by urbanization, higher disposable income, and increasing attention to living quality, comfort, and the design of shared spaces. At the same time, demand for durability, sustainability, and performance is reshaping product development and supply strategies.
The industry is also becoming increasingly international. Heimtextil 2026 (Frankfurt, January 13–16) brought together leading manufacturers and buyers from around the world. The top exhibiting countries included China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Visitors reached an international share of 86%, with strong growth from the United States, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, and Peru.
Decision-making power was a key feature of the event: 78% of attendees were senior decision-makers. The presence of executives from global companies such as Harrods, IKEA, Marriott Hotels, Sainsbury’s, and XXXLutz confirms Heimtextil’s role as a strategic platform for sourcing, networking, and market insight.
Interior design and hospitality as key growth drivers
According to Heimtextil’s Interior.Architecture.Hospitality program, demand for technical and performance fabrics for contract applications continues to grow. Hospitality, offices, retail environments, and public spaces increasingly rely on textiles to improve comfort, acoustics, safety, and design flexibility.
This trend is opening new opportunities for architects, interior designers, developers, and procurement professionals. Textiles enable more integrated, experience-driven environments while supporting operational performance in high-use settings. Starting in 2027, Heimtextil will further strengthen this focus through a collaboration with Hospitality Interiors Europe (HINT), expanding solutions for global hospitality and interior design projects.
Design as a driver of textile innovation
Design is becoming a key competitive factor in the textile industry. Heimtextil highlights innovation across materials, processes, and creative approaches, bringing together advanced manufacturers, emerging designers, and research initiatives focused on sustainability and circular production.
Among the most notable projects at Heimtextil 2026 was “Craft is a verb”, curated by Alcova. The exhibition identified emerging trends and demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship, advanced manufacturing, and AI-supported design processes are increasingly interconnected.
Some images from “Craft is a verb” exhibition
The installation “among all,” curated by Patricia Urquiola, explored experimental applications of textile innovation. Highlights included robotufted carpets made with ECONYL regenerated yarn, surfaces created from production waste, and bio-based materials such as Ohoskin, derived from Sicilian orange by-products. The project showcased how circular thinking and cross-industry technologies are expanding the possibilities of textile design.
Some images from “among all” exhibition
Artificial Intelligence: a new business enabler
Heimtextil 2026 also emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence under the theme “Texpertise Focus AI.” AI is becoming an operational tool across the textile value chain, supporting both creativity and efficiency.
Today, AI is used for pattern generation, color development, and realistic material visualization. At the same time, it helps companies manage data, streamline workflows, optimize supply chains, and deliver more personalized customer experiences. As market dynamics accelerate, AI is emerging as a key factor in improving responsiveness, productivity, and competitiveness.
With its international reach and strong focus on innovation, Heimtextil confirms its position as the leading global platform for understanding trends, sourcing advanced materials, and shaping the future of home and contract textiles.
See you at Heimtextil 2027, January 12-15
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Micro-Living Design at Genova Design Week 2026
Design WeeksTen magenta shipping containers lined up along Calata Mandraccio, in the heart of Genoa’s Porto Antico, became the unexpected protagonists of Genova Design Week 2026. Container 03, an experimental format, drew thousands of visitors throughout the week and confirmed itself as one of the main attractions at Genova Design Week 2026.
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The urban “Piazza” at Porto Antico, surrounded by Containers
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VMARK | Vietnam Design Week 2026
Design WeeksVietnam Strengthens its position as Asia’s Creative Hub for the Circular Economy
The global design landscape experienced a milestone between June 9th and 10th, 2026. The 7th edition of VMARK Vietnam Design Week, held at the Thiskyhall Sala Center in Ho Chi Minh City, surpassed the boundaries of a simple trade show, transforming into a strategic catalyst for the entire Asian creative economy. With the iconic theme “DESIGN | RECREATING THE WORLD,” the event proposed a bold vision: design is not merely an aesthetic exercise, but an essential investment lever for the sustainable development of the future.
VMARK – Vietnam Design Week 2026
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Estonian interior design at 3daysofdesign: Slowing
3daysofdesign, Design FestivalsIn an age defined by constant acceleration, the new premises of the Estonian Embassy in Copenhagen presents a design showcase that offers the invitaion to slow down. At 3daysofdesign festival 2026, the exhibition SLOWING focuses on Estonia’s deep connection to nature and tradition.
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Vipsi chair by Embakumba
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KBIS 2026: Driving Global Innovation in Kitchen & Bath
Design & Furniture Trade Shows, InterviewsIn conversation with Bill Darcy, Global President & Chief Executive Officer, NKBA | KBIS
KBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) is North America’s largest trade show dedicated entirely to kitchen and bathroom design. Hosted annually by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the event serves as the global hub for discovering the latest technological innovations, finishing materials, and industry furnishings, and takes place concurrently with Design & Construction Week in Orlando and Las Vegas, alternating between the two cities every other year.
We spoke with Bill Darcy about bathrooms and kitchens industry, technology, architecture, and the future of trade shows.
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CIFF Guangzhou 2026: the source for China furniture design
Design & Furniture Trade ShowsThe 57th China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Guangzhou) has officially concluded its 2026 edition at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, confirming its status as the world’s premier platform for the furniture and design industry. Held across two highly dynamic phases (March 18–21 and March 28–31, 2026), the event achieved unprecedented milestones. This proved that despite global economic and geopolitical complexities, the international market is more eager than ever to connect and collaborate.
Guided by the forward-looking theme “Connect-Create”, this year’s ciff furniture fair evolved far beyond a traditional trade show exhibition. It functioned as a fully integrated global ecosystem where cutting-edge manufacturing, commercial transactions, and visionary design seamlessly converge to drive the entire sector forward.
Discover CIFF Guangzhou 2025
CIFF Guangzhou 2026
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Material Matters Copenhagen 2026
3daysofdesign, Design FestivalsMaterial Matters Copenhagen returns to 3daysofdesign with a distinctly eclectic and ambitious programme.
From 10 to 12 June, the Ukraine House at Gammel Dok will host nineteen exhibitors from across the globe, all united by a profound interest in materials and manufacturing processes. Collectively, the fair will span wood, glass, textiles, waste, bacteria, concrete, mycelium, rice husks, and paper, with each company deeply committed to demonstrating the importance of material intelligence and its ability to make the world a slightly better place.
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Furniture by recycled material by Recraft Design Studio
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Tom Dixon at 3daysofdesign 2026
3daysofdesign, Design FestivalsTom Dixon Takes Over a Copenhagen Carpark
Exploring Hyper-Mobility and Fluid Living at 3 Days of Design 2026
This June, Copenhagen’s design landscape is set for a raw, subterranean transformation. British design house Tom Dixon is making an ambitious return to the annual 3Daysodesign festival 2026, with an immersive takeover of the Egmont carpark in central Copenhagen. Running from June 10 to 12, 2026, the exhibition—aptly titled THE CARPARK—reimagines an overlooked industrial venue into a bold architectural stage exploring hyper-mobility, adaptability, and the fluid movement of contemporary life.
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Tom Dixon with the Melt floor lamp and the Flare suspension lamp
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Homo Faber Fellowship in Copenhagen
3daysofdesign, Design FestivalsIn an era dominated by rapid automation, mass production, and fleeting digital trends, there is a quiet yet profound revolution taking place in the world of artisanal craft. It’s a movement dedicated to preserving the intangible human touch, the ancient secrets of material manipulation, and the priceless heritage of handmade arts.
At the forefront of this cultural renaissance is the Homo Faber Fellowship.
Discover Homo Faber Fellowship at Milan Design Week 2026
Resonances, Harumi Sugiura, Artisan, and Marcella Giannini, Fellow. Photo Christian Sinibaldi, courtesy Michelangelo Foundation
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Homo Faber: Arts & Crafts Design 2026
Design & Furniture Trade Shows, Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026Today’s Masters Meet Tomorrow’s Talents spotlights the co-created objects designed and handcrafted over the course of six months, by the 22 duos of master artisans and emerging talents who have participated in the third edition of Homo Faber Fellowship, an annual eight-month sponsored craft training programme.
Discover the Homo Faber exhibition 2025
Kathara Morgane and Maeva – Artisan Johann Sauty
Homo Faber exhibition at Casa degli Artisti, Milan Design Week 2026
This final exhibition of their original works is a celebration of the unique, cross-craft, cross-cultural, creative partnerships that were formed during the Fellowship.
Kim Jordan Artisan and Sandra Pinto
This highly anticipated event will be staged in the beautiful Casa degli Artisti alongside three other exhibitions presented by Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte (together with Living, Corriere della Sera), Serapian and Creative Academy.
Kim Jordan Artisan and Sandra Pinto Fellow
Entitled Arts & Crafts & Design, this collaborative showcase invites visitors to discover some of the best contemporary craft and design collaboration projects in Europe today.
Fire Becoming Ocean, Caterina Roma Artisan and Mili Couto Fellow
The evolution of Superstudio: Superstudio Design
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026In 2026, Superstudio becomes Superstudio Design. At Milan Design Week 2026, it presents itself with three locations and three different concepts: SuperNova at Superstudio Più, SuperCity at Superstudio Maxi, and SuperPlayground at the new Superstudio Village, in the Bovisa-Certosa area. We spoke with Gisella Borioli, art director and founder of Superstudio Group, and Laura Vella, architect and head of Superstudio Design, about the new direction of Superstudio.
Discover the new Superstudio chapter
The new Superstudio Village
Gisella Borioli: the new era
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MEISDEL debuts ‘Anima 01’ at Milan Design Week 2026
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026The Milan Design Week 2026 will witness a revolutionary intersection of Japanese craftsmanship and spiritual philosophy. MEISDEL, the Japanese brand specializing in bespoke residential kitchens, will make its European debut in the Tortona Design Week with its latest masterpiece: Anima 01.
More than just a kitchen, Anima 01 is a ‘living heart’ crafted from stainless steel – a concept that bridges the gap between the visible and the invisible, the material and the spirit.
Discover all the events at Milan Design Week 2026
Anima 01 by Meisdel
Anima 01: a grand piano of culinary art
Imagine a single sheet of stainless steel, masterfully shaped into an alternation of curves, straight lines, and voids. Its silhouette evokes the elegance of a grand piano, vibrating with a natural expressiveness that transcends traditional kitchen design.
In Anima 01, the steel – traditionally a ‘cold’ material – mixes with living elements like wood, quartz, and ceramics. According to Ito Chiharu, Head of Design at MEISDEL: “In designing Anima 01, I didn’t just seek technical perfection. I wanted to give shape to a spiritual dimension. Tension and silence, strength and introspection coexist here. The visible – structure and precision – moves in harmony with the invisible – vital energy and the immortal soul.”
Redefining ‘New Luxury’: The MEISDEL Philosophy
MEISDEL, whose name combines the German Meister (craftsman) and Edelstahl (stainless steel), leverages the expertise of TANICO, a leader in professional hospitality equipment. This heritage allows them to use 1.5 mm thick stainless steel – double the industry standard – ensuring unparalleled hygiene and durability.
The debut of Anima 01 introduces the concept of New Luxury, categorized into three pillars:
Detail of Anima 01
Technical mastery meets Japanese tradition
Historically, Japanese kitchens were relegated to the cold, north-facing rooms of the house. Today, MEISDEL brings the kitchen into the literal and metaphorical heart of the home.
Materials and structure:
The Exhibition: A poetic manifesto in Tortona Design Week
During Milan Design Week 2026, MEISDEL will transform Tortona Square into a meditative space. The exhibition is designed as a ‘discreet container’, where Anima 01 stands as a living sculpture.
Visitors will experience a play of reflections through undulating semi-mirrors and a large vertical monitor displaying dynamic digital content. This setup blurs the lines between the object and the environment, inviting a slower, more meditative perception of design.
Visit MEISDEL at MDW 2026 | Event Details
Join us in the Tortona Design Week to witness the synthesis of technique and spirit.
Location: Tortona Square, Via Tortona 36, Milan
UN:FOLD: next125 and Ankon Mitra at Milan Design Week 2026
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026When the world of precision German engineering meets the ancient, fluid art of paper folding, the result is nothing short of breathtaking. This April, during Milan Design Week, at Superstudio Più 2026, the premium kitchen brand next125 is set to unveil its latest collaboration: UN:FOLD, a site-specific installation by acclaimed Indian architect and sculptor Ankon Mitra.
Located in the heart of the Tortona District at Superstudio Più, this installation is more than just a showcase. It’s a physical manifesto of “Oritecture” – a fusion of origami and architecture that challenges our perception of space and material.
UN:FOLD by next125
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Innovation in wood by Trentino Province and international Designers
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026At Milan Design Week 2026, April 20-25, the Fiemme Store Milano becomes the stage for “NODI. Cultura, impresa e design del legno trentino” (KNOTS: Culture, Enterprise, and Design of Trentino Wood). The project brought together artisan and industrial firms from Trentino and internationally renowned designers to explore the innovation in wood design. The knot serves as both a metaphor and a design principle: it connects manufacturing expertise, creative visions, and corporate cultures, but it’s also a defining feature of wood, preserving its memory.
The ‘NODI’ project, curated by Paolo Baldessari and Aldo Colonetti, with exhibition design by David Dolcini, comes to the Fiemme Store Milano, following its run at the ADI Design Museum, from March 26 to April 12, 2026. The project is promoted by the Autonomous Province of Trento, and coordinated by Trentino Sviluppo in collaboration with Trentino Marketing.
Discover all the Milan Design Week 2026
The NODI (KNOTS) project
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Milan Design Week 2026 – Map & agenda
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026Milan Design Week 2026 returns to the city from April 19 to 26. As the world’s premier design event, it remains the essential meeting point for the global creative community, filling Milan with a sprawling program of exhibitions, site-specific installations, and groundbreaking debuts.
Milan Design Week Map
Please find enclosed the Map by The Design Week Guide
Milan Design Week 2026 Official Theme: Be the Project
Be the Project is the official theme of Fuorisalone 2026. This concept shifts the focus from the finished object to the human being as an active agent of change. It is an invitation to rediscover design as a dynamic, responsible, and ongoing process.
The theme encourages a move away from “final products” and toward “living practices,” placing the designer and the user at the center of a collaborative evolution:
Be the Project is a manifesto for the present—a call to recognize ourselves within the process of becoming. Milan Design Week 2026 serves as a city-wide laboratory where design is reaffirmed as an essential tool for navigating a rapidly changing world and asserting human agency in the age of AI
Discover the ‘Be The Project‘ theme
MOOOI: 25th anniversary of the tapestry by Mart Veldhuis
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Milan Design Week 2026: “Vetri” Exhibition at MilanoNovecento
Design & Furniture Trade Shows, Milan Design Week 2026If you are planning your Milan Design Week 2026 itinerary, the ‘Vetri’ (Glass) exhibition at MilanoNovecento Modernariato & Design is a must-see destination. Located in the vibrant heart of Milan, this showcase merges historic Italian collectible design with contemporary glass artistry.
Why Visit: the intersection of history and innovation
Led by third-generation gallerist Giacomo Beltramo, MilanoNovecento transforms into a ‘metamorphic’ space for the Milan Design Week. The exhibition isn’t just a display; it’s a curated dialogue between rare vintage finds and new experimental works.
Lorenzo Branchini curates the digital communication and the graphic design
• Collectible Design: Discover rare 1980s tables from the Metals brand (designed by Pierangelo Caramia and Rosanna Monzini)
Design by Pierangelo Caramia for Metals
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SuperPlayground 2026: Superstudio Village Milan
Design Summit & Conferences, Milan Design Week 2026The Milan Design Week 2026 marks a historic expansion for the city’s creative landscape with the launch of SuperPlayground. This visionary project finds its home in the newly inaugurated Superstudio Village, a regenerated industrial hub located at via Negrotto 59, Bovisa.
This isn’t just a new venue; it’s a manifesto for the future of design, focusing on social design, sustainability, and experimental research.
From April 20 to 26, 2026, Milan will be connected through three distinct visions:
• SuperNova | Superstudio Più (Tortona)
• SuperCity | Superstudio Maxi (Barona)
• SuperPlayground | Superstudio Village (Bovisa)
This year’s global scale is staggering: 70 projects, 91 brands, and 88 designers hailing from 19 nations across four continents. While the project spans the city, the beating heart of international prestige remains the Tortona district with SuperNova.
Discover SuperNova at Superstudio Più
Graphic Days
The urban regeneration: Superstudio Village
Superstudio Village is the standout news of 2026. Once a disused factory, it has been transformed into a cutting-edge location that sets a new national standard for sustainability and high-tech infrastructure. As an “Agora of the future,” it serves as a bridge between the historic design districts and the rising creative energy of the Bovisa area.
Discover SuperCity at Superstudio Maxi
Superstudio Village
The Soul of SuperPlayground: key installations
SuperPlayground is designed as an open environment where visual languages and international sensitivities meet. Three major projects anchor the experience:
– ‘Keep Your Bubble’ by Lousy Auber: The Slovak visual artist presents a monumental, “soft” architecture made entirely from recycled hot-air balloon fabrics. This immersive piece invites visitors to physically enter the space, reflecting on the themes of reuse, personal boundaries, and collective transformation.
– Graphic DaysⓇ – The Milan Debut: For the first time since its 2016 inception in Turin, this festival brings its innovative format to Milan. It features:
Through a lightweight, suspended installation, it investigates the delicate relationship between sustainable materials, food culture, and sensory storytelling.
Riccardo Toldo at SuperPlayground
The Global Open Call: 33 Designers to Watch
The heart of SuperPlayground is based on 33 international projects selected among over 200 candidates across 30 countries. These designers express the ‘new guard’ of global design:
Abele Malpiedi, ABREHAM, Acmé, Ahmad Hamad, Atelier Stilum with Iplex Design, Ayça Yılmaz Design, Badih Ghanem Architecture & Design, Chris Ruhe, Claudia Martinelli, Federica Ciotola, Francesca Fossati, Giorgio Bena, Holcim Italia supporting Nadia Vallino, IJK studio, Jan Meusburger, JONDAL, LMStudio, Mara Bragagnolo, Michele Bussini, Monia Giannini, Pepita Design, Po-Wei Chen, Riccardo Cenedella, RICCARDO TOLDO, Rowena Liangru Lu, Studio Lecker, Tamiati, Testatonda, Uneven Objects, YAF STUDIO, YET:FAB, YIELD Studio, Zade Design Crafts Studio.
Testatonda
Day-to-Night: a dynamic cultural program
SuperPlayground functions as a living laboratory:
– Workshops & Talks: Morning and afternoon sessions dive deep into the social impact of design, contemporary craftsmanship, and inclusion.
– The Opening Night: Curated by Negri Firman PR & Communication, the inauguration features a poetic performance by choreographer Yoann Bourgeois. His exploration of gravity and movement activates the space and introduces the scenographic installation by Moooi.
– Evening Performances: As the sun sets, the Village transitions into a hub for live music and performances, fostering direct dialogue between the public and the designers.
Strategic Connectivity: Three Locations, One Vision
Superstudio Design 2026 is a massive ecosystem involving 91 brands, 88 designers, and 70 projects spread across three strategic venues:
– Superstudio Maxi: 15 projects, including art-design dialogues
– Superstudio Più: 14 projects and 5 art exhibitions
– Superstudio Village: 3 special projects and 33 open-call designers
How to get there: A dedicated shuttle service will connect the three venues every 30 minutes on April 19th, 21st, and 23rd. Additionally, Lime (Official Mobility Partner) provides e-scooters and bikes for easy access between Tortona, Barona, and Bovisa
Plan Your Visit: Shuttles & Digital Pass
Superstudio Design 2026 provides a Single Digital Pass.
• Registration: Free and available on the official website’s “Visit” page.
• Dedicated Shuttle Service: Connecting the three venues every 30 minutes on Sunday 19th, Tuesday 21st, and Wednesday 23rd
Superstudio Design 2026 makes it easy to navigate between its three main venues (Superstudio Maxi, Superstudio Più, and Superstudio Village):
• Sustainable Mobility: Official partner Lime provides a fleet of e-scooters and bikes to travel between Tortona, Barona, and Bovisa
SuperCity and the future of design
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026For its 26th edition, Superstudio – the historical North Star of the Fuorisalone – is breaking the traditional “District” mold. With Superstudio Design at Milan Design Week 2026, the event evolves into a “diffuse map,” rethinking the visitor experience across 30,000 square meters of exhibition space.
From April 20 to 26, 2026, Milan will be connected through three distinct visions:
• SuperNova | Superstudio Più (Tortona)
• SuperCity | Superstudio Maxi (Barona)
• SuperPlayground | Superstudio Village (Bovisa)
This year’s global scale is staggering: 70 projects, 91 brands, and 88 designers hailing from 19 nations across four continents. While the project spans the city, the beating heart of international prestige remains the Tortona district with SuperNova.
Superstudio Maxi (Barona)
Superstudio Maxi: an urban vision by Giulio Cappellini
Curated by Giulio Cappellini, SuperCity imagines a multicultural ideal city looking toward the future, where architecture, design, art, and photography intertwine into a unified vision. Located within the main hall of Superstudio Maxi (Barona, via Moncucco 35, Milan), a high-impact scenographic landscape takes shape: selected brands and designers are showcased in a deliberately open space, devoid of walls or physical divisions.
Environments are suggested rather than separated: domestic and outdoor areas emerge like a three-dimensional comic strip, using signs, graphics, and visual cues to define identity without breaking the continuity of the space.
Discover SuperNova at Superstudio Più
SuperCity 2026, exhibition ‘Design Awakens’
TheCity: Exploring the heart of the contemporary design map
SuperCity brings together 15 projects, ranging from collective exhibitions to individual presences. At its curatorial core lies TheCity, a look at the ideal urban environment where calm and serenity prevail.
Virtual homes – featuring bespoke linens and textiles by C&C Milano – are furnished by world-leading brands including:
• Artelinea, Boffi|DePadova, Cassina, Flaminia
• Foppapedretti, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Icone Luce
• Jaipur Rugs, Living Divani, Magis, Mario Luca Giusti
• Moroso, TechnoGym, and Zanotta
These pieces engage with a theater crafted by Abet Laminati featuring the new Venezia collection by Giulio Cappellini, alongside a pool and an urban landscape dotted with imaginary trees by PolyPiù. Within this context, the Black Light intervention by Alessandro Lupi (curated by Gisella Gelmini and Gaetano Corica) recreates a domestic space through light-based artworks.
Discover SuperPlayground at Superstudio Village
‘Minima’, exhibition by Leonardo Talarico
When design becomes art
The exhibition path When Design Becomes Art investigates the boundary between functional objects and artistic masterpieces:
• Alessandro Mendini’s stools for Flaminia transform into a multicolored tower
• Artelinea’s mirrors evoke a frozen lake
• Abet Laminati’s cubes build a wall of chiaroscuro
• Icone Luce’s “4 Lame nere” stand alongside Cappellini’s Fronzoni tables
• Alexandre Fontani presents a handcrafted collector’s table, while Hsiang Han Hsu contributes an installation where matter and form transcend functionality
Discover Milan Design Week 2026
Abet Laminati, Venezia collection, by Giulio Cappellini
Portraits: A photographic journey through design icons
The collective Portraits – photography | design connects iconic products from major Italian brands with the dreamlike lens of photographer Walter Gumiero:
• Riva 1920 (Renzo Piano), B&B Italia (Gaetano Pesce), Cappellini (Jasper Morrison)
• Living Divani (Piero Lissoni), Molteni (Gio’ Ponti), Flexform (Antonio Citterio)
• Moroso (Patricia Urquiola), Kartell (Laviani), Porro (Front), Desalto (Krusin), and Baxter (Paola Navone)
Innovative installations and creative collaborations
• Artelinea: An exhibition emphasizing glass and mirror craftsmanship under Cappellini’s artistic direction
• Honda: A creative journey involving students and AI to transform future visions into real concepts
• Galateo Ancestrale: a collaboration between Caterina Roppo and Incalmi, featuring Trayma fabrics crystallized in copper
• Agorà by Abet Laminati: four benches inspired by the public square
• Minima by Leonardo Talarico: a visual work in dialogue with photography by Julia Scribani Rossi
• 230 VOLT-i by Vimar: Curated by Giulio Iacchetti, featuring 37 international authors reinterpreting the three-module plate as masks
• Nemesi: “Personal Luxury” by Matteo Agati, exploring sculptural surfaces in interior design
Urban flâneur: The art boulevard and education
The Art Boulevard by Living Divani offers a walk through monumental sculptures by Maria Cristina Carlini, a preview of the Materie Viventi installation (curated by Marco Eugenio Di Giandomenico) coming to Palazzo Reale in Summer 2026.
Meanwhile, Istituto Marangoni Milano Design students, in collaboration with Cappellini, present “Design Awakens,” exploring fluid, multisensory environments like CAP/Club and CAP/Spa & Wellness.
Rounding out the venue are Visiva, a patented light-emitting surface system, and “Il Tornitore Matto” by Alessi, an experimental platform by Alberto Alessi and Giulio Iacchetti bridging industry and craftsmanship.
Global dialogue: Superstudio and ICFF New York
Superstudio Maxi continues its partnership with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) of New York. On April 23 at 12:00 PM, Giulio Cappellini will moderate the talk: “What’s Next: Envisioning the Future Through Design, Technology, and Nature.” This cross-promotion event features international designers and tech leaders exploring sustainable habitats and the evolving relationship between Milan and New York.
Superstudio 2026: the new map of design
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026For its 26th edition, Superstudio – the historical North Star of the Fuorisalone – is breaking the traditional “District” mold. With Superstudio Design 2026, the event evolves into a “diffuse map,” rethinking the visitor experience across 30,000 square meters of exhibition space.
From April 20 to 26, 2026, Milan will be connected through three distinct visions:
• SuperNova | Superstudio Più (Tortona)
• SuperCity | Superstudio Maxi (Barona)
• SuperPlayground | Superstudio Village (Bovisa)
This year’s global scale is staggering: 70 projects, 91 brands, and 88 designers hailing from 19 nations across four continents. While the project spans the city, the beating heart of international prestige remains the Tortona district with SuperNova.
Superstudio Maxi (Barona)
SuperNova: the international hub for design
Location: Superstudio Più | Via Tortona 27, Milan
SuperNova acts as the epicenter of the 2026 program. It is a laboratory of immersive installations where industrial giants, independent pavilions, and avant-garde architecture collide.
Discover SuperCity at Superstudio Maxi
The Return of Moooi: A “Silver Celebration”
The headline news for 2026 is the return of Moooi. Occupying nearly 1,000 square meters, “Moooi 25 & Promising” is a museum-scale exhibition designed by Marcel Wanders. Celebrating 25 years since the brand’s debut at Superstudio, the installation uses reflective surfaces and experimental visions to bridge the brand’s iconic history with its future.
Discover SuperPlayground at Superstudio Village
MOOOI: 25th anniversary of the tapestry by Mart Veldhuis
Tech Meets Emotion: Lexus, Samsung, and Schüller
The industry’s biggest names are redefining the relationship between humans and technology:
• Samsung Electronics: Debuts “Design is an Act of Love,” a manifesto for their “The Human Side of Tech” philosophy, focusing on personal sensitivity in innovation
Design is an act of love, installation by Samsung
• Lexus: Presents “SPACE” and “Discover Your Space,” transforming the concept of the automobile into a contemplative, emotional sanctuary
• Schüller Möbelwerk | next125: Collaborative project “UN:FOLD” with Creative Maker Ankon Mitra applies Bauhaus values to “Oritecture”—sculptural research inspired by the art of origami.
Global Narratives and Intergenerational Architecture
• Thailand (DITP): Presents “Slow Hand Design – Heritage Reimagined,” showcasing the evolution of Thai craftsmanship
Chudy stool by bendi – DITP – Thailand
• Toyo Ito Children’s International Architecture Workshop: The exhibition “One Earth – House of the Heart” features 100 “house models” by children alongside designs by Pritzker-winning legends like Toyo Ito, Kazuyo Sejima, Sou Fujimoto, Manabu Chiba, Astrid Klein, and o+h.
Innovation, Materials, and Digital Frontiers
SuperNova continues to push the boundaries of “what design can be” through specialized tech and material research:
• FORUM8: Presents “Experience the Moon. Design the Future,” applying lessons in disaster prevention and environmental challenges from Expo 2025 Japan to Earth-bound architecture
• Karbony: Features “Infinity,” exploring carbon fiber through the lens of two international icons
• Ross Lovegrove: Brings “Gabo 2.0” and “Stereometric Method,” kinetic sculptures that defy mass
Gabo 2.0, kinetic sculpture by Ross Lovergrove
• Hideo Shimizu: Introduces “Infinity – Bio,” a contemporary take on the traditional Japanese ofuro ritual.
• INDIGO DESIGN (Satoshi Kan): Explores “Gravity,” a project that turns invisible physical forces into a sculptural chair
• C&C Milano: A digital-immersive installation created with Superstudio Digital that virtually recreates the atmosphere of “Casa C&C Milano” from Via Brera 7
C&C Milano
• Istituto Marangoni Milano Design: In collaboration with Alessi, the project “Domestic Oracles” showcases Master’s students’ work exploring the intersection of home objects and Artificial Intelligence
• PolyPiù: Debuts “Cathedral,” a site-specific polycarbonate structure that plays with light and translucent mass
Where Design Meets Art: The Cultural Soul
Superstudio Più bridges the gap between functional design and fine art with a dedicated cultural program:
• RE:Circle (Roof Garden): Under the artistic direction of Gisella Borioli and curation by urban poet Ivan Tresoldi, this rooftop space becomes a “creative square” featuring live painting, performances, and open ateliers supported by knIndustrie
• MyOwnGallery: Features artist-designer Franco Perrotti’s exhibition “From Object to Vision,” complemented by the monumental outdoor installation “Dissuader” (curated by Fortunato D’Amico)
• FLA – FlavioLucchiniArt Museum:
-MIRRORS Exhibition: A rare collection of designer mirrors from the 80s and 90s by legends including Ettore Sottsass, Michele De Lucchi, Philippe Starck, Alessandro Mendini, Nathalie Du Pasquier, George Sowden, Paolo Portoghesi, and Massimo Iosa Ghini
– Skyscrapers: A dialogue between Flavio Lucchini’s digital paintings and Giangiacomo Rocco di Torrepadula’s architectural photography
• Sogimi Holding: A collaboration with Galleria Raffaella De Chirico featuring a dialogue between Jacopo Mandich’s sculptures and Eric Oder’s audiovisual practice
• supeRavioli by ABKStone: an experiential bistro designed by Paola Navone – Otto Studio, blending materials and conviviality into a unique installation
SupeRavioli, by Paola Navone for ABK Stone
Textiles in Contract Design: Innovation, AI & Hospitality Trends
Design & Furniture Trade Shows, Reports, What's upMarket analysis and insights from Heimtextil, the world’s leading trade fair for home and contract textiles, confirm a clear industry shift: fabrics are once again at the center of furniture and interior design, in both residential and contract sectors. Beyond traditional upholstery, textiles now play a strategic role in hospitality and high-traffic environments such as hotels, restaurants, lounges, offices, and public spaces.
Today, fabrics are key to the overall user experience. They help define atmosphere, comfort, and brand identity while improving environmental quality. Curtains, upholstery, wall coverings, and acoustic textiles influence visual perception, tactile comfort, and sound control. New technologies further expand their role, introducing functional finishes and fragrance solutions that enhance wellbeing and sensory impact.
Discover Heimtextil 2025
A growing and global textile market
The renewed importance of textiles is reflected in strong market performance. The global home furnishings and textile sector is growing at an estimated annual rate of 5% to 7%. Growth is driven by urbanization, higher disposable income, and increasing attention to living quality, comfort, and the design of shared spaces. At the same time, demand for durability, sustainability, and performance is reshaping product development and supply strategies.
The industry is also becoming increasingly international. Heimtextil 2026 (Frankfurt, January 13–16) brought together leading manufacturers and buyers from around the world. The top exhibiting countries included China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Visitors reached an international share of 86%, with strong growth from the United States, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, and Peru.
Decision-making power was a key feature of the event: 78% of attendees were senior decision-makers. The presence of executives from global companies such as Harrods, IKEA, Marriott Hotels, Sainsbury’s, and XXXLutz confirms Heimtextil’s role as a strategic platform for sourcing, networking, and market insight.
Interior design and hospitality as key growth drivers
According to Heimtextil’s Interior.Architecture.Hospitality program, demand for technical and performance fabrics for contract applications continues to grow. Hospitality, offices, retail environments, and public spaces increasingly rely on textiles to improve comfort, acoustics, safety, and design flexibility.
This trend is opening new opportunities for architects, interior designers, developers, and procurement professionals. Textiles enable more integrated, experience-driven environments while supporting operational performance in high-use settings. Starting in 2027, Heimtextil will further strengthen this focus through a collaboration with Hospitality Interiors Europe (HINT), expanding solutions for global hospitality and interior design projects.
Design as a driver of textile innovation
Design is becoming a key competitive factor in the textile industry. Heimtextil highlights innovation across materials, processes, and creative approaches, bringing together advanced manufacturers, emerging designers, and research initiatives focused on sustainability and circular production.
Among the most notable projects at Heimtextil 2026 was “Craft is a verb”, curated by Alcova. The exhibition identified emerging trends and demonstrated how traditional craftsmanship, advanced manufacturing, and AI-supported design processes are increasingly interconnected.
Some images from “Craft is a verb” exhibition
The installation “among all,” curated by Patricia Urquiola, explored experimental applications of textile innovation. Highlights included robotufted carpets made with ECONYL regenerated yarn, surfaces created from production waste, and bio-based materials such as Ohoskin, derived from Sicilian orange by-products. The project showcased how circular thinking and cross-industry technologies are expanding the possibilities of textile design.
Some images from “among all” exhibition
Artificial Intelligence: a new business enabler
Heimtextil 2026 also emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence under the theme “Texpertise Focus AI.” AI is becoming an operational tool across the textile value chain, supporting both creativity and efficiency.
Today, AI is used for pattern generation, color development, and realistic material visualization. At the same time, it helps companies manage data, streamline workflows, optimize supply chains, and deliver more personalized customer experiences. As market dynamics accelerate, AI is emerging as a key factor in improving responsiveness, productivity, and competitiveness.
With its international reach and strong focus on innovation, Heimtextil confirms its position as the leading global platform for understanding trends, sourcing advanced materials, and shaping the future of home and contract textiles.
Discover all about Heimtextil
The Design Week Guide Milan Map 2026
Design Weeks, Milan Design Week 2026, What's upThe Design Week Guide Milan Map: features
Given the sheer number of events during Milan Design Week – over 1,000 across the city – selecting what to visit and optimizing travel between districts has become increasingly complex.
The Design Week Guide Milan Map, a free, interactive map built directly on Google Maps, addresses this challenge
Look at the Milan Design Week Guide 2025 Map
Key features
1 – Curated selection of events
Unlike open listings, the Milan Trail features a carefully curated selection of events. The 2025 edition includes 150 selected events, chosen for relevance, quality, and diversity
The target for 2026 is 200, based on real interest and relevance
Milan Design Week Map, featured events 2025
2 – Native Google Maps integration
The guide is fully integrated into Google Maps, eliminating the need for additional apps or platforms. Consultation is free of charge, and very easy: all the smartphones feature Google Maps
Users can:
• View event locations directly on the map
• Calculate routes between events in real time
• Navigate easily between districts
Try the link by yourself
http://bit.ly/4k5UwSd
3 – Detailed event listings
Each featured event includes:
• A clear description
• One picture
• Exact location
• Dates and opening hours
• A direct link to a dedicated blog post with extended content
• A link to registration website, if requested and needed
• A link to the exhibitor website
Milan Design Week Guide Map 2025, event detail
4 – Free and easy sharing and accessibility
Exhibitors can share a direct link to their event listing with guests, enabling immediate access on smartphones. The map can be shared with a single link, making it an efficient communication tool during the week
Try the link by yourself
http://bit.ly/4k5UwSd
5 – Proven reach and visibility
• The 2024 debut edition was used over 27,000 times
• The Milan Design Week Trail has recorded over 120,000 views
• Designweekguide.com consistently ranks in the top 5 Google search results for Milan Design Week-related queries
Milan Design Week Map 2025
Benefits for Exhibitors
Being included in The Design Week Guide Milan Trail offers high visibility during one of the most competitive weeks in the global design calendar.
The standard listing fee covers:
• Placement on the Google Maps Trail
• A dedicated website post linked from the map
• One Instagram post
• One Facebook post during Milan Design Week
This integrated approach ensures consistent exposure across mapping, editorial content, and social media, making it one of the most effective tools for reaching a targeted international audience during Milan Design Week
Key takeaways
The Design Week Guide Milan Trail transforms the overwhelming complexity of Milan Design Week into a navigable, curated experience. By combining editorial selection with the functionality of Google Maps, it serves both visitor – who need clarity and efficiency – and exhibitors – who seek visibility and meaningful engagement. In an event ecosystem defined by scale and saturation, the Map-Trail stands out as a practical, trusted, and strategically positioned guide to Milan Design Week.