Day 1 at Salone del Mobile 2025: Where Light, Design, and Culture Collide

Milan greeted us yesterday not just with spring sunshine, but with a pulse—a kind of vibrant energy only Salone del Mobile 2025 can deliver.

The 63rd edition officially kicked off at Fiera Milano Rho, and let me tell you, stepping into that first pavilion felt like walking into the future. Or maybe more like feeling the future—lit, sculpted, and curated by some of the most creative minds from around the globe. And no, I’m not just being poetic. There’s something real and raw about seeing design push boundaries like this, especially when you’ve spent decades, like I have, in this industry.

Let me walk you through a few standout moments that I think any furniture buyer, product manager, or sourcing lead will appreciate—not just for the wow factor, but for the inspiration and insight they spark.

Euroluce Is Back—and It’s Glowing Smarter

I’ve missed Euroluce. After its break, it returned with real substance. Over 300 brands from 25 countries set the stage for what’s next in lighting. But it wasn’t just about cool lamps or slick LEDs—this year was about how light interacts with life.

The Euroluce International Lighting Forum, curated by Annalisa Rosso with APIL, is shaping up to be the brain of the event. Imagine sitting in a room with scientists, designers, and psychologists discussing everything from solar design to plant neurology. Yes, you read that right—plant neurology. It really made me think: are we, as furniture makers, truly optimizing the relationship between light and the materials we use? It’s a question I’ll be bringing back to our R&D team at ASKT.

When Culture and Design Dance Together

I managed to sneak away from the fairground to catch Es Devlin’s “Library of Light” in the courtyard of the Pinacoteca di Brera. It’s an 18-meter rotating cylinder that, from the outside, looks like a spaceship. Inside? A curated library honoring Maria Gaetana Agnesi, an 18th-century math genius. The juxtaposition of mathematical brilliance and poetic lighting left me floored. It reminded me that design isn’t just utility—it’s emotion.

Later that evening, I visited Robert Wilson’s “Mother” at the Sforzesco Castle. It’s a dramatic, soulful tribute to Michelangelo’s unfinished “Rondanini Pietà,” paired with Arvo Pärt’s haunting “Stabat Mater.” I’m not ashamed to admit I got a bit emotional. This, too, is part of Salone—feeling deeply.

Fashion Meets Furniture (And It’s a Perfect Fit)

Now here’s a trend I’m watching closely: fashion brands entering the furniture scene. Take Jil Sander x Thonet—a collection that elegantly revives Marcel Breuer’s tubular steel classics. Minimalist. Intentional. Quietly confident. It’s exactly the kind of design language European buyers appreciate.

Or Loewe’s playful "Teapots" exhibition—a reminder that storytelling can live in the smallest of objects. These aren’t just teapots; they’re little sculptures of culture, narrative, and tradition.

A Spotlight on Emerging Talent

If you’ve been in the industry long enough, you know this: the future belongs to the ones who dare. I saw that daring at Boon Editions x A-N-D, where digital art collided with sculpture inside an old bank. And Studioutte, now with a new base in Moscova, impressed me with their pure, clean forms. There’s something refreshing about furniture that lets silence speak.

The Big Conversations: What Everyone's Talking About

There were three recurring themes on everyone’s lips—and they’re the same ones many of you have been discussing in meetings, WhatsApp groups, and factory floors:

Sustainability: Not just materials, but also circularity, packaging, and ethical production. It’s more than a trend—it’s becoming a purchasing standard.
Tech Integration: Digital art, AI-informed design, and smart furniture are on the rise. It’s not just about looking good anymore—it’s about thinking smart.
Cross-Industry Creativity: From fashion to fine art, the fusion of disciplines is enriching the furniture world. Collaborations are no longer marketing gimmicks—they're powerful design evolutions.

Drafting Futures: Peeking Into Tomorrow

One of the most thought-provoking events? The “Drafting Futures” conversations in Pavilion 14. Listening to people like Bjarke Ingels and Lesley Lokko unpack the future of design felt like reading a live version of Wired magazine. They didn’t sugarcoat things. They talked about business model shifts, global logistics, cultural responsibility. Stuff that matters if you’re building a furniture business for the next decade—not just this season.

Exhibitors Raising the Bar

A few booths worth mentioning:

Moooi continues to blur lines between furniture and fantasy. Nicholas Baker’s new designs had people lining up for selfies—and serious discussions.
Aqua Creations's Metropolitan Collection nailed that urban elegance many of our German clients crave.
Laskasas rolled out a new identity and The Essence Collection, striking a smart balance between classic and contemporary.

So, What Does It All Mean for Us Furniture Pros?

If I had to sum up Day One in a single phrase, it would be: design is expanding—are we expanding with it?

This isn’t just a place to admire beauty. It’s a mirror reflecting where our industry is heading. As a CEO who’s spent the last 20 years serving European buyers, I see one message loud and clear: buyers don’t just want chairs anymore—they want stories, systems, and sustainable solutions.And that’s exactly what we’re working on at ASKT. From tightening our quality control to reducing plastic in our packaging, we’re not just reacting—we’re building the kind of future this fair celebrates.

More updates coming soon. But for now, I need to rest these legs. It’s only Day One.

P.S. If you're in Milan this week and want to chat about how ASKT can support your business needs—drop me a message on WhatsApp: +86 18912605997 or email me at sales@sinoaskt.com. I’m always happy to share what we’re working on and hear what challenges you’re facing.