While Salone del Mobile lit up the exhibition halls, it was Fuorisalone that breathed life into the streets of Milan. Since 2003, Fuorisalone.it has been the go-to source for all things happening beyond the fairgrounds - and this year, it felt more electric than ever.
Armed with curiosity (and comfortable shoes), we - Monica and Teagan wandered through crowds, stood in lines that felt like mini pilgrimages, and slipped into hidden courtyards across the city. What we found? Art that moved us. Design that challenged us. And a creative pulse so strong, we’re still buzzing. Yes, our feet were sore, but our minds were blown.
Brera Design District: A Classic With Constant Surprises
Some call Brera the heart of Milan’s design week and honestly, it lives up to the hype. Elegant streets, tucked-away galleries, and energy that pulls you in. This year, Brera didn’t just showcase art it - activated it.
HYPER PORTAL by Michela Picchi
Part visual symphony, part interactive playground, HYPER PORTAL blurred the line between viewer and participant. With every step and gesture, the environment shifted. Lights danced. Colours morphed. You became part of the piece.
What we loved:
It felt like stepping into a lava lamp - a kaleidoscopic dream that was alive and reactive. Touching panels to change the visuals made us giddy. If it wasn't for the heat we would have stayed all day, to play, to watch & to experience the power of interaction & light. That said, we were disappointed to learn it was sponsored by an electric smoking brand. Beautiful experience, questionable sponsor.
Library of Light
Set in the breathtaking 17th-century Cortile d'Onore, this installation reimagined a library as a luminous shrine to knowledge. Over 2,000 books lined a glowing, circular sculpture - a beacon of literature and light in equal measure.
What we loved:
The contrast was stunning: classic architecture embracing cutting-edge design. During the day, the details were intricate and intellectual. By night, it became something spiritual. A glowing reminder that knowledge can (and should) be beautiful.
War Flags by Philippe Starck & It Means Peace by Marco Balich
Unexpected. Jarring. Necessary. These political installations took us from sensory delight to sobering reflection. War Flags echoed conflict - sharp angles, booming sound, raw emotion. And then, a release: "Peace is a choice" greeted us at the end, bathed in light.
What we loved:
This wasn’t an easy space to visit, but it was important. The contrast with other, more joyful exhibitions made its message hit even harder. A raw reminder of the power and necessity of peace.
5VIE Design District: Design With Soul
Palazzo Litta: MoscaPartners Variations
Over 20 installations took over the regal halls and courtyards of Palazzo Litta. From recycled blue bottles to shimmering metallic cages, this space brought experimental and emotional design into focus.
What we loved:
TRACE OF WATER
Trace of Water transformed recycled water bottles into architecture - sustainability meets elegance. Read more about the beautiful installation here
Golden Light Cage
Golden Light Cage by LcD Textile was hypnotic: a mirrored room where reflections blurred the line between ceiling and floor.
Nobody Owns the Land: Earth, Forest, Mahk
Nobody Owns the Land: Earth, Forest, Mahk by Byoung Soo Cho grounded us again, reminding us of the land’s value and vulnerability.
It was a place to lose (and find) yourself - poetic, thought-provoking, and utterly immersive.
L’Appartamento by Artemest
To mark its 10th anniversary, Artemest invited globally renowned interior designers to transform a 19th-century palazzo into a living, breathing apartment. Each room was its own universe, filled with handcrafted furniture, decor, and stories.
What we loved:
Each studio brought its own identity, making every space feel fresh and deeply personal. It was a masterclass in craftsmanship and styling - a reminder that great design is a global conversation grounded in local artistry. Oh and we would love for some our Aussie interior designers to do this in Australia!!
Triennale di Milano: Seeing Sound with Vans
Ever wanted to see sound? At the Checkered Future: Frequency Manifest by Vans, we almost felt like we had synesthesia. Designed by Willo Perron with a soundscape from Tim Hecker, the space visualised frequencies, waves, and vibrations in a mind-bending installation that was as loud in concept as it was in experience.
What we loved:
A sensory overload - in the best way. Lying back and watching sound move across the space was meditative and futuristic. A powerful tribute to Vans' creative evolution.
Porta Venezia Design District: Light as Poetry
Making the Invisible Visible by Google
An immersive experience exploring sensors, perception, and light. Designed by Google’s Ivy Ross and artist Lachlan Turczan, the installation invited us to touch, move, and rethink what’s real.
What we loved:
Lucida - the star of the show was pure magic. Dancing light beams reacted to our movement, making us question where the artwork ended and we began. A beautiful fusion of science, art, and curiosity.
Tortona: Reimagining Connection at BASE
Making Kin
This space challenged us to redefine what connection means between humans, non-humans, and the spaces in between.
What we loved:
An Amalgam Loop by Alessio Pinton - a self-destructing, self-aware installation that mirrored human impact.
Life on Phone by Janneke de Lange - exploring bacterial life through a smartphone lens, turning microbes into mesmerising patterns.
It was philosophical, sensory, and strangely grounding a tribute to relationships beyond the visible.
What We Missed (But Won’t Next Time)
Alcova
We’re still heartbroken to have missed Alcova - one of our must-see stops. From what we saw through friends’ feeds and reviews, it was as bold and boundary-pushing as ever. 2027, we’re coming for you.
Final Thoughts
With over 1,000 events across the city, Fuorisalone 2025 wasn't just a showcase it was a movement. Creativity dripped from every streetlamp, every stone archway, every side alley. Whether poetic, political, or playful, every installation reminded us that design isn’t just about what we see. It’s about what we feel.
We came for the design. We left with new ideas, new questions - and a camera roll full of wonder.
Until next time, Milan.
