In just a few days, the Design Central team will be touching down in Milan for the most anticipated event in the global design calendar - Milan Design Week 2025. Since 1961, Salone del Mobile has been the heartbeat of global design, bringing together professionals, journalists, and design enthusiasts to discover trends that will shape the future of the design landscape. For us at Design Central, it's an essential pilgrimage to uncover the finest international designs to bring back to New Zealand.

Our Director, Lindy Messam, and Head of Creative, Jane Mason, will be on the ground exploring every corner of this sprawling design adventure that transforms the entire city into a celebration of innovation, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking design. We're thrilled to share our journey with you and offer a glimpse into what promises to be an inspiring and design-defining experience.

DESIGN CENTRAL MDW25 HIT LIST

While Salone del Mobile itself is undoubtedly impressive, our most exciting discoveries often come from exploring the various design districts and independent exhibitions that spring up across Milan during this magical week. The Brera Design District is always a highlight, with its blend of historical architecture and cutting-edge installations.

This year, we have our sights set on several must-visit destinations:

L'Appartamento presented by Artemest at Palazzo Donizetti, where six design studios will transform distinct spaces within a historic palazzo. We're particularly excited to see what renowned designer Simone Hagg has planned for the foyer space.

Palazzo Donizetti. Photography courtesy of Artemest.

Alcova, an innovative platform for designers and researchers investigating the future of living and making. This year's exhibition will span multiple locations, including Villa Borsani, Villa Bagatti, Pasino Glasshouses, and the Former Snia Factory – each offering a unique backdrop for experimental design.

Villa Borsani, one of the four Alcova locations in Varedo. Photography courtesy of Alcova.

Saint Laurent - Charlotte Perriand The unveiling of four previously unseen furniture pieces by pioneering 20th-century designer Charlotte Perriand. The exhibition will showcase works created between 1943 and 1967 as prototypes or sketches, now reproduced as full-scale editions for the first time. Several of our other favourite fashion houses will also be exhibiting, LOEWE, Hermes, Prada and Gucci. 

La Banquette de la Résidence de l’Ambassadeur du Japon à Paris (1967) by Charlotte Perriand, to be presented by Saint Laurent at Milan Design Week 2025. Photography courtesy of Saint Laurent.

 

Nilufar Galleries – both the Nilufar Depot (Viale Lancetti, 34) and Nilufar Spiga (Via Della Spiga, 32) – where founder Nina Yashar has curated "Repertorio," a five-act journey exploring the intersection of scenography and theatre through fascinating contrasts in craftsmanship, artistry, and temporal dimensions.

Silver Lining, Nilufar Depot by Fosbury Architecture, part of Milan Design Week 2025. Photography courtesy of Nilufar. 

CRESCENDO by Kelly Wearstler X The Rug Company

CRESCENDO by Kelly Wearstler X The Rug Company.

Our Milan adventure will include a very special event that we're particularly excited about – CRESCENDO by Kelly Wearstler X The Rug Company. This captivating installation at Teatro Gerolamo will showcase the latest collection by celebrated designer Kelly Wearstler, offering a celebration of design, craftsmanship, and innovation. We're honoured to be attending an intimate evening celebrating the debut of this collection and look forward to sharing the experience with you.

The Rug Company has been a cornerstone of Design Central's offering, and this opportunity to deepen our relationship with one of our key partners while experiencing their latest collaborative collection is invaluable.

Beyond our established relationships, we'll be scouting new brands for both New Zealand and Australia. While we're keeping some of these potential partnerships under wraps for now, we're excited to discover fresh voices in design that align with our commitment to bringing exceptional, thoughtfully crafted pieces to our clients.

How to Follow Our Milan Journey

We invite you to join us virtually throughout our Milan adventure! We'll be sharing our journey through our Instagram account @designcentral_nz. Follow our stories to see daily highlights, designer encounters, trend observations, and of course, all the stunning new designs we discover.

Our team will be documenting everything from major installations to hidden gems, giving you an insider's view of Milan Design Week through the Design Central lens. We'll be highlighting potential new additions to our collections and offering insight into how these international trends might influence New Zealand's design landscape.