From April 8th to 13th, 2025, Milan, Italy, welcomed a grand event in the global design community — Milan Design Week. Hosted at Rho Fiera Milano, this event, known for its international perspective and forward-thinking designs, attracted designers, brands, and media from around the world, becoming a feast of vision and creativity.
On this highly anticipated stage, Chinese artworks dazzled with unique cultural charm and modern design innovations, showcasing the strength and potential of Chinese design.
East-West Cultural Charm
This year’s Milan Design Week was not only a gathering of designs but also a significant platform for Sino-Italian cultural exchange. Numerous Chinese and Sino-Italian collaborative designs showcased deep Chinese cultural heritage alongside the infinite possibilities of modern design through various exhibition areas.
The exhibition not only captured the attention of global design professionals and enthusiasts but also became a hotspot for exchange among Chinese students studying at top universities worldwide, highlighting the influence of Chinese design on the international stage.
Highlights of Exhibitors and Artworks
On April 12th, the curator-led tour by Wenzhuo An, focusing on Chinese exhibits, attracted numerous design enthusiasts. Organized by APICAIA, the Italy-Asia Art and Cultural Exchange Association, this guided tour aimed to introduce more people to the unique charm of Chinese design.
Chinese designers and brands made a significant impact at the Milan Design Week, with several highlights:
G HOME: Revitalizing Tradition with Gourds
Founded by a young Chinese-American designer, G HOME utilized gourds, one of humanity’s earliest cultivated plants, to create three main series:
Earth Collection: Natural gourds transformed into organic sculptures, showcasing the beauty of nature.
Zen Collection: Natural diffusers for mindful living, conveying tranquility and peace.
G-Spirit: Ritual objects merging tradition with spirits, such as cocktail shakers, reflecting the depth of culture and life.
These pieces, themed around “nature, life, and culture,” allowed viewers to experience the warmth and stories behind each design.
Róng Design Library: Contemporary Revival of Nomadic Culture
Róng Design Library presented a new exhibition titled “Nomadic Fibers: A Study of Textiles from Nomadic Life.” The exhibition focused on the craftsmanship wisdom of Chinese nomadic ethnic groups, exploring how felt-making and textile techniques rejuvenate in contemporary design.
Exhibits included black tents, felt clothing, and everyday items, presenting a philosophical dialogue between nomadic ancestors and materials. Additionally, the exhibition showcased sustainable material innovations centered around yak wool fibers.
Frisbee Table Collection: Reshaping Flexible Workspaces
Designer Fengfan Yang’s Frisbee Table Collection responded to the trend of agile working by rethinking traditional desk structures. The system includes:
Power Column: Integrated power support structure, addressing “power anxiety.”
Table Leg & Table Trestle: Flexibly connecting different desktops to support individual use or collaboration.
Frisbee Island: Functional modules on the tabletop for placing objects or attaching accessories.
This design is suitable for shared office spaces, cafes, university libraries, and combines practicality with aesthetics, encouraging users to define their work methods according to their needs.
The Infinite Potential of Chinese Design
The 2025 Milan Design Week showcased the strength and potential of Chinese design on the international stage. In this inspiring and creative space, design is not just about creating objects but also about expressing and exchanging cultures. Chinese designers, driven by innovation, uphold cultural roots and build bridges between East and West. Whether reviving traditional crafts or exploring future technologies, Chinese design demonstrates limitless possibilities.