The 2025 Milan Design Week, under the curation of 5VIE, promises to be an extraordinary celebration of design, intuition, and the invisible forces that connect the tangible and the intangible. Titled Armonie Invisibili (Invisible Harmonies), this year’s theme explores the subtle equilibrium that exists between the visible and the invisible, form and meaning, and object and intuition. It invites visitors to embark on an immersive journey through contemporary design, where the boundaries between worlds blur, and the unspoken language of intuition guides us toward new discoveries. From April 7 to 13, 2025, 5VIE will transform Milan into a dynamic canvas of creativity, with a roster of exhibitions, installations, and events that celebrate craftsmanship, storytelling, and innovation. The historic spaces of Palazzo Correnti and SIAM will once again serve as the heart of the festival, while a new venue, the prestigious Cavallerizze at the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci, will host a special exhibition that showcases the fusion of tradition, innovation, and research in design. Together, these spaces will create a seamless bridge between the past, present, and future, reminding us that design is not just about objects but about the invisible threads that connect us to the world around us.
At the core of Armonie Invisibili is the idea that intuition is not just a guide but a bond—a silent, untraceable voice of wisdom that speaks to us through colors, humor, and the unexpected. As we awaken to this intuition, the world begins to make sense in ways that transcend rational understanding. The festival will explore this concept through a series of exhibitions that highlight the invisible forces that shape our lives, from the emotional resonance of a piece of furniture to the way materials can tell stories that words cannot. One of the most anticipated exhibitions is Abject: Inhabit the Poché by American designer Misha Kahn, which will be showcased at the Cavallerizze. Known for his unconventional approach to design, Kahn will present his signature IZK chairs, inspired by traditional Japanese design, in a space draped in fabric where the silhouettes of the chairs will appear in a constant state of flux. This animated spectacle will create a parallel world where the boundaries between reality and imagination dissolve, inviting visitors to experience design as a form of joy and creative audacity. Kahn’s work, which draws inspiration from a wide range of influences, from the exuberance of Niki de Saint Phalle to the fluidity of Verner Panton, will be a testament to the power of intuition in creating objects that are both functional and poetic.
In addition to Kahn’s exhibition, the Cavallerizze will also host OTHER SPACES, a project by the Coltura Project that merges experimentation with an anthropo-social and ecological approach. Co-created with 5VIE, this exhibition will showcase unique pieces, limited-edition objects, and an environmental installation that result from the encounter between conceptual processes and manual operations. Drawing on practices in architecture, design, craftsmanship, and contemporary art, OTHER SPACES will offer a fresh perspective on the role of design in shaping our relationship with the world. Similarly, Swiss designer Julie Progin and American artist Jesse Mc Lin, the creative duo behind Julie & Jesse, will present a rich variety of ceramic pieces and objects that stretch the possibilities of clay and porcelain. Their work, which explores the boundaries of ceramic production in both aesthetic and technical terms, will be displayed in a pyramidal installation that recalls both archetypal ritual architecture and contemporary modular structures. Founded in Hong Kong and Jingdezhen in 2012, Julie & Jesse’s shared language of forms will create a harmonious interplay of contrasts in color and form, synchronizing perfectly with the theme of Armonie Invisibili.
The festival will also feature a series of installations that explore the intersection of intuition and creativity in everyday life. Sara Ricciardi Studio, in collaboration with Rometti & Doodle Rugs and 5VIE, will present a set of six vases covered in vibrant sketches by children, conveying the raw essence of affection, imagination, and innocence. These vases will be placed on animated carpets featuring fluid scribbles, transforming joy into fabric and inviting visitors to embrace, appreciate, and savor the beauty of simplicity. Meanwhile, Bar Altra Vista, a project by Anotherview, will transform the former stables building within the Cavallerizze into an installation of refined Italian design. Reimagined by artist and architect Duilio Forte as the stylized belly of a whale, this intimate space will feature a curated selection of contemporary design pieces, including works by Simone Fanciullacci of Studio F and street artist Sorte. The bar will also host Chef Aldo Ritrovato of Stadera Milano, offering a culinary experience that complements the immersive atmosphere of the installation. Bar Altra Vista promises to be a unique and unconventional experience, where design, art, and cuisine come together to create lasting memories.
In addition to these installations, the festival will showcase a range of international designers and artists who challenge conventions and redefine the way we experience contemporary design. French publisher BOON_EDITIONS has teamed up with Canadian lighting brand A-N-D to create a captivating assortment of functional art and collectible design furniture pieces that fuse craftsmanship, innovation, and creative expression. These pieces will be on display at the BOON_ROOM gallery, where visitors can explore the playful and unconventional ways in which design can blur the line between functionality and art. Similarly, Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION, curated by Tony Chambers, Maria Cristina Didero, and Hunn Wai of Lanzavecchia + Wai, will reflect on Singapore’s evolving design identity as it celebrates 60 years of design evolution. This three-part showcase will spotlight ten of Singapore’s most forward-thinking designers, who harness the power of design and technology to enhance everyday life and address pressing societal issues. The third part of the exhibition, Virtuoso Visionaires, will feature emerging talents utilizing design to tackle humanizing technology and post-consumer waste, offering a glimpse into the future of design as a force for positive change.
As the festival comes to a close, it will leave behind a profound sense of interconnectedness and wonder. Giopato & Coombes’s Scarabei will inspire visitors with its luminous clusters that explore the relationship between repetition and freedom, diversity and uniqueness. Each piece, crafted using the ancient sand-casting technique, will retain the marks of the artisans’ gestures, creating a textural and unduplicatable luminous organism that triggers a dialogue with the observer. Similarly, Margraf’s CRASH by Hannes Peer Architecture will transform the perception of marble from a symbol of stability and perfection to an element of disruption and revelation, celebrating the material’s tensions and contradictions. Inspired by the works of Michelangelo, Luciano Fabro, and Isamu Noguchi, CRASH will depict fracture as an opportunity for reinvention and rejuvenation, reminding us that even in the most unexpected collisions, there is beauty and potential for transformation. Through these and many other exhibitions, Armonie Invisibili will depict the value of interconnectedness within design and the creative means of expression, illustrating how everyday life can be enriched by discovering a thread of wonder and choosing to become one with it. Once again, 5VIE will erupt with unduplicatable experiences, both shared and completely private, leaving a lasting mark on the world of design and beyond.
