In Shanghai and Hong Kong, Italian design takes center stage with cutting-edge installations and tributes to Young talents
After a record-breaking edition in 2024, the Salone del Mobile.Milano resumes its world tour with two major events in China, in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The goal is to strengthen dialogue with one of the most strategic markets for Made in Italy, through new alliances and innovative exhibition formats.
Shanghai and Hong Kong: the new stops to promote Italian design
November marks the return of the Salone del Mobile in China, with two events celebrating the excellence of Italian design. From November 8 to 10, Shanghai will host the Salone del Mobile as a partner of the prestigious West Bund Art & Design fair. The centerpiece of the event will be the performative installation “The Orbit’s Orbit” by artist Matilde Cassani, which will explore the connection between design, architecture, and performance in the iconic spaces of The Orbit, designed by Heatherwick Studio.
Subsequently, from November 11 to 21, the Salone will land in Hong Kong with the exhibition “SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection 1998-2024 Exhibition” at the Arts Pavilion. The exhibition will pay tribute to emerging talents who have shaped the history of SaloneSatellite, the international platform for designers under 35.
Italian design takes the stage in Shanghai: between Art, Performance, and Cultural Dialogues
The Shanghai event promises to blend design and performance in an exceptional setting. Matilde Cassani will create a continuously evolving installation, where more than 50 icons of Made in Italy will interact with the space, forming a radial city animated by performances and cultural encounters. Each day, talks and conversations will give the public the opportunity to engage with prominent figures from Italian and Chinese design.
Among the highlights are the official opening talk of the fair on November 8, featuring Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, and the ADChina 100Young ceremony on November 9, which will celebrate young Chinese design talents. Meanwhile, the meeting “When Design Meets Art,” scheduled for November 10, will explore the synergy between design and art, with contributions from internationally renowned Italian and Chinese designers.
Hong Kong celebrates 25 Years of SaloneSatellite
In Hong Kong, the SaloneSatellite will take center stage with an exhibition that traces 25 years of emerging design history. The “SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection 1998-2024 Exhibition” will showcase more than 100 projects that have marked the evolution of contemporary design, providing an overview of the talents who, thanks to this platform, are now recognized globally.
The event, promoted in collaboration with IDFFHK and the Designworks Foundation, will be set up in the cultural heart of West Kowloon and will represent a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the young creatives who have redefined the landscape of international design.
China: a strategic market for Made in Italy
The choice of Shanghai and Hong Kong is no coincidence. China is, in fact, one of the main destination markets for the Italian wood-furnishing sector, with an export value reaching €479 million in 2023. The return of the Salone del Mobile to the Land of the Dragon thus confirms the importance of this market, especially after China regained its status as the top source of visitors during the 2024 edition of the fair in Milan.
©Guido Stazzoni
©Guido Stazzoni
Towards the future: the Salone del Mobile as a bridge between cultures and markets
With these two events, the Salone del Mobile not only strengthens its international presence but also reaffirms its role as a promoter of cultural dialogues and creative exchanges between Italy and global markets. After China, the tour will continue in Europe and North America, bringing with it the first previews of the 2025 edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano (April 8-13, 2025).
The journey of the Salone represents a concrete commitment to internationalization, promoting new exhibition practices and fostering the cross-pollination of design, art, and culture.
