Fuorisalone was a success – and what made it so was the synergy among Milan’s districts, which staged a wide-ranging and diverse program of events, exhibitions, installations, and initiatives, in a true celebration of design in all its forms. The Isola district was one of the key hubs of this year’s Milan Design Week, distinguished by its experimental spirit, innovative drive, and creativity that goes beyond the ordinary. The focal point of this energy was the Isola Design Festival, organized by Isola Design Group. The event celebrated its first ten years by revisiting some of the most significant exhibition formats from past editions while introducing new collaborations with key figures who have shaped Isola’s history.
Isola Design Gallery, Isola Design Festival 2026 – Photo © Anwyn Howarth
At the heart of the festival was Fabbrica Sassetti, which reopened to the public as the main venue. The space hosted the historic Isola Design Gallery, featuring designers from Denmark, Germany, Japan, and South Korea. Among them, Cezar Moldovan presented a project developed for the Romanian brand Arbore, translating architectural ideas into domestic objects, while STRATA showcased handcrafted works combining wood, glass, mother-of-pearl, and steel in layered, tactile compositions. Alongside, the exhibition No Space for Waste featured studios such as Re-Edit, with a project reflecting on upcycling, bio-reengineering, and wood craftsmanship, and Yubero Torno, whose collection is developed through traditional woodturning techniques. Also on display were Rasa – The Indian Collective, curated by Nidhi Chandak and Varun E S (part of the Isola Studio team based in India), and The Dutch Atelier, presenting a selection of designers from the Isola community in the Netherlands.
Default is Not Universal, Isola Design Festival 2026 – Photo © Anwyn Howarth
The dialogue with international design perspectives continued at Fondazione Riccardo Catella, where Default Is Not Universal – The Same Design, Different Perceptions was presented, a show curated by Isola for Ithra – King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, featuring works by designers from the MENA region.
Shape of Belonging, Isola Design Festival 2026 – Photo © Anwyn Howarth
A dual focus on materiality was explored through the exhibition Shape of Belonging, which investigated the silent connections between identity and origins through craftsmanship and memory, and The New State of Materials by Materially, showcasing a selection of cutting-edge materials developed according to principles of innovation, circularity, and decarbonization.
No Space for Waste, Isola Design Festival 2026 – Photo © Anwyn Howarth
The festival’s innovative vision – and that of its participants – was the common thread of the program, culminating in the project Future Archives, an exploration of the future of objects beyond 2050, and in the group exhibition Rising Talents, featuring works by students, recent graduates, and emerging designers from around the world.
