The FRAGILE gallery celebrates the genius of a 20th-century “total designer.” A mandatory stop for collectors and lovers of design history
In the packed calendar of Fuorisalone events, some appointments go beyond simple product displays to become pure cultural research. Among the must-see exhibitions at Milan Design Week 2026, the showcase “Property of Sergio Asti: A Design Heritage” undoubtedly stands out, hosted by the historic FRAGILE gallery at Via Simone D’Orsenigo 27.
Following the success of previous editions dedicated to Arredoluce and Carlo Nason, gallerists Alessandro Padoan and Alessandro Palmaghini turn the spotlight on Sergio Asti—the architect and designer who shaped the landscape of Italian furniture in the second half of the 20th century.
Sergio Asti: The Rigor of a Milanese Master
Born in Milan in 1926 and raised in the creative ferment of the Politecnico, Sergio Asti embodied the figure of the 360-degree designer. The exhibition title, “Property of Sergio Asti,” draws inspiration from an inscription found under one of the architect’s side tables: a detail that encapsulates a rigorous and personal design philosophy, spanning from automotive work for Alfa Romeo to tableware for Alessi.
If you are drafting your list of exhibitions to see at Milan Design Week, this retrospective offers a unique opportunity to see milestones in person, such as:
- The Profiterolle Lamp (Martinelli, 1968): A plastic icon of light.
- The Marco Vase (Salviati, 1962): Winner of the Compasso d’Oro.
- The Trifoglio Table (Poltronova, 1969): A masterpiece of applied geometry.
A Monographic Volume for Collectors
The excellence of FRAGILE’s proposal also lies in its documentation efforts. Coinciding with the event, a monographic volume published by Silvana Editoriale will be released. Edited by Rosa Chiesa and Alessandro Zannoni, with a contribution by Alba Cappellieri, the book is the result of meticulous cataloging from the Historical Archive of Contemporary Arts of the Venice Biennale (ASAC).
Including FRAGILE in your Milan Design Week itinerary means rediscovering a “total” author who collaborated with the world’s greatest brands—from Artemide to Cassina, Knoll to Kartell—while always maintaining an obsessive and timeless executive quality.
INFO & 2026 CALENDAR
- Exhibition: Property of Sergio Asti. A Design Heritage
- Opening: April 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM
- Dates: April 14 – May 29, 2026
- Location: FRAGILE Milano, Via Simone D’Orsenigo 27
- Peak Hours: During Design Week (April 20–26), open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
