Top 7 Highlights from Milan Design Week 2024: Curtains, Edible Pasta & Rare Collectibles

There’s something magical about walking through a dark hall, pushing aside two layers of heavy drapes, and stepping into the unknown. For many attendees, that moment encapsulates the thrill of Milan Design Week, where over 500,000 people from around the world gather to celebrate design in all its forms.

The centerpiece is Salone del Mobile, the world’s largest furniture trade show. Spanning 3/4 of a mile, its fairgrounds in Rho—just outside Milan—host 1,900 exhibitors from 32 countries. Yet the city itself transforms into an open-air gallery, with historic palazzos and sponsored installations revealing grand sculptures, immersive experiences, and moments of pure wonder.

While no single person could experience everything, here are seven standout highlights from this year’s edition.

Edible Reveries: Barilla’s 3D-Printed Artisia Pasta Installation

Who doesn’t love a clever gimmick—especially when it’s edible? Edible Reveries was a playful installation by pasta giant Barilla, designed to showcase their Artisia pasta line. Using a custom 3D printer, Barilla transformed semolina and water into intricate, previously impossible noodle shapes. Collaborating with Studio Yellowdot, the team created a vibrant lounge where visitors could sample finger-sized pasta pieces that dissolved like tiny dumplings in the mouth.

The furniture wasn’t edible—wooden noodle-shaped loungers invited guests to relax—but the real star was the pasta itself. Unfortunately, the printer could only produce 36 pieces at a time, making Artisia available in limited quantities. You can still order it online for around $18.

Salone Raritas: A Curated Showcase of Rare and Collectible Design

Beyond the mass-produced furniture of Salone del Mobile lies Salone Raritas, a new exhibition challenging the trade show’s commercial focus. In its debut year, Raritas presented one-off collectible pieces, from antique marble columns to vintage furniture, with prices ranging from a few thousand dollars to the stratospheric.

Among the highlights was a new work by acclaimed artist-designer Sabine Marcelis, titled Plume. This oversized pink acrylic sculpture features bubbles suspended in oil, evoking the delight of a giant children’s toy. Marcelis’ piece was a standout not just for its visual appeal, but for its ability to captivate viewers with simple, mesmerizing beauty.

The contrast between Salone del Mobile’s commercial offerings and Raritas’ curated rarities underscored a growing tension within Milan Design Week—a push toward exclusivity and artistic depth in an otherwise mass-market event.