Mini Milan Guide & Design Week
Salone del Mobile and dining with the design crowd
After experiencing Salone del Mobile years ago I was floored by how great it was, how accessible Milan felt, and how surprisingly few New Yorkers attended. Fast forward post-pandemic, and a wide net of international creatives and editors share flights from JFK, happy to reunite over vongole at Da Giacomo. Salone (“Sah-loh-ne”) is an annual design fair that takes over Milan every April, where hundreds of independent and renowned designers unite—lighting, architecture, furniture, textiles, interiors, fashion—some gallerists and publications, setting up wildly sophisticated exhibitions in historic palazzos, gardens, private homes, courtyards, even restaurants. The refined crowd showcase their latest collections and collaborations, mixing mediums. I enjoy Salone more than any fashion week because it completely opens up the city and invites everyone to get involved, and everyone’s happy. Milan is largely behind closed doors and this is an inspiring way to see it. The big fashion houses get involved, Prada, Loewe, Hermes, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Armani, etc., but focus on craftsmanship and supporting independent designers—a welcome departure from the runway. And yet, the crowd here is more stylish than fashion week, turning out architectural chic with Milanese precision.
DESIGN LOCALS: A few classics to visit during Salone or any time
Everything changed when Cabana came onto the scene, with their fabric-bound issues of otherworldly interior style. Ten years on, they hosted a Salone week of anniversary celebrations, unveiling a redesign of Sant Ambroeus, a palazzo party with Ralph Lauren, and their first rattan-filled Milan store.
Martina Mondadori opened up her Renzo Mongiardino-designed childhood home for breakfast with family-style ease.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to CLEMENTINA to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.