Formafantasma Designs Salone Raritas for Milan Design Week 2026

MILAN — Responding to a growing appetite for collectible design around the globe, Salone del Mobile.Milano organizers are gearing up to take a bite out of the growing market.

At a press conference in London on Tuesday, the trade show’s organizers revealed a new exhibition space dedicated to rare objects of design, which will be unveiled at the next edition of the fair at the Fiera Milano, Rho trade grounds April 21 to 26.

Salone del Mobile.Milano explained that Salone Raritas will highlight curated icons, unique objects and “outsider pieces.” The space will be designed by Milan and Rotterdam, Netherlands-based design studio Formafantasma and will include limited editions of design antiques and fine craftsmanship. “It’s a place for galleries of excellence and the international design supply chain — architects, interior designers, developers, hospitality and contract professionals,” the organization said in a statement, underscoring its efforts to bridge the gap between Italian producers and the B2B contemporary design market, as well as the residential and hospitality sectors in need of hallmark pieces.

The exhibition, which will be divided into modular islands, will be curated by Salone del Mobile.Milano’s editorial director and cultural events adviser, Annalisa Rosso.

“We are also throwing open a new channel of direct dialogue with the B2B and contract worlds, creating a platform designed to meet the needs of a professional audience,” said Salone del Mobile.Milano president Maria Porro.

The trajectory of the collectible design market is fueling new events around the world. The Collectible design platform was founded in Brussels in 2018 and gained recognition for its finesse in linking pillars of design, art and fashion. It debuted its first New York City edition in 2024. New York City’s Salon Art + Design, which is produced by Sanford L. Smith + Associates, said it will cut the ribbon on a new edition in Dallas from March 26 to 30 and said it is eyeing new cities. Design Miami expanded to Paris in 2023 and has grown significantly in the past five years. In September, organizers hosted its first event in Seoul. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Los Angeles and Basel editions.

Formafantasma, founded by Simone Farresin and Andrea Trimarchi, has become known on the global design stage through their work with design and fashion brands like Flos, Bitossi and fashion and jewelry companies like Max Mara and Bulgari.

In March 2023, the duo conceived the sophomore edition of Prada Frames, a symposium backed by the Italian luxury brand to explore the complex relationship between the natural environment and design.

During Milan Design Week in 2025, Formafantasma together with Cassina, presented a theatrical performance named “Staging Modernity,” which was an ode to the animal world.