If we’re to talk about the decorations industry in Milan, then we have to talk about the crowning jewel in its busy events calendar – Milan Design Week. Spearheaded by the illustrious Salone del Mobile, the event sits at the very top as the design world’s most monumental event. Held annually in Milan, this prestigious furniture and design fair draws buyers, curators, end consumers and industry insiders from every corner of the globe, eager to immerse themselves in the very latest in furniture, lighting, textiles, and decorative arts. The origins of Salone del Mobile trace back to 1961, when a visionary group of Italian furniture manufacturers orchestrated the first edition in Milan. Their goal was simple yet ambitious: to spotlight Italian furniture design and production and cement Milan’s status as a pivotal player in the global design arena. The inaugural event was a resounding success, drawing over 12,000 visitors, and setting the stage for the fair’s rapid expansion. By 1972, the fair had outgrown its original venue and relocated to the Fiera Milano exhibition center in Rho, a move that allowed for more extensive exhibition spaces, an increase in exhibitors, and a broader array of products. The 1980s and 1990s saw Salone del Mobile soar in prestige. The inclusion of lighting, textiles, and other interior design elements further solidified Milan’s reputation as a global design capital. Parallel to the formal trade show, Fuorisalone emerged spontaneously in the early 1980s and it transformed Milan into a city-wide design playground. This decentralized event complements Salone del Mobile by hosting installations, lectures, exhibitions and pop-ups across various venues, including showrooms, galleries, private palazzi, and public spaces. Areas like Brera and 5Vie become bustling hubs of activity, exploring intersections between design, art, fashion, food, and technology. In recent decades, both Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone have continued to evolve.