Exploring Milan Design Week

I specifically chose Milan for the reason most people do: because it’s the fashion capital of the world. But fashion week didn’t really impress me. Then I found out about Design Week during my fashion class. All of my professors were strongly encouraging everyone to go out and explore Design Week. Design Week, this Design Week that, okay, but what is Design Week? 

The best way I can describe Design Week to someone from the US is by comparing it to Ikea on crack. Hot take: Design Week is better than Fashion Week. Yes, I said that. I love all things clothes and fashion. However, above all, I love that Design Week is open to the public. Yes, you might need to register for some more exclusive events like Prada or LV, but that’s nothing compared to the exclusivity of fashion week. It’s interactive, you get freebies, and you see a lot of your everyday brands and companies putting on cool exhibits. Also bonus points for exclusivity because Design Week is a Milan exclusive. 

As someone who enjoys going to IKEA to see the displays for pure fun, I loved design week. It’s basically that, but on a different level. Of course, it’s not just all furniture and interior design; each display has some interactive elements and meaningful messaging. The Louis Vuitton, Hotel Vouyer, and Chiquita House were my personal favorites.

So my professors were right, I would highlyyyyyy recommend checking out design week if you’re in Milan during that time, it was genuinely something that I’ve never seen or heard of before. Plus, you can get free stuff which is also really cool. Some places were giving out totes, food, I even saw people getting plants. So go out and check out some cool furniture. 

Here are some pictures of exhibits I visited during Design Week. 

Louis Vuitton

Gucci 

Hotel Voyeur

American Express Garden 

DICO Gallery

Chiquita House