When Design Meets Collecting: Salone del Mobile.Milano and Art Basel in a Strategic Partnership

The entry of Italian design into the very heart of the global collectors’ system is marked by a new partnership between Salone del Mobile.Milano and Art Basel.

This three-year collaboration with Art Basel Miami Beach and Art Basel Hong Kong brings design into spaces reserved for the most influential figures of the contemporary art world—through the creation of the prestigious Collectors Lounge, dedicated to VIP collectors, curators, gallerists and leaders in cultural investment.

With this strategic move, Salone del Mobile.Milano further consolidates its international positioning while redefining the role of design within today’s cultural and economic landscape. The Collectors Lounge emerges as more than an exclusive salon—it becomes a platform where design, art and the market engage on equal terms.

Miami as a New Meeting Point for Design and Art

The inaugural Collectors Lounge, unveiled on December 3, 2025 during the VIP preview day of Art Basel Miami Beach, was conceived as both a spatial and conceptual experience reflecting the core values of Italian design. The setting was designed by Lissoni & Partners, while the selection of brands brought together some of the most representative names of contemporary Made in Italy design.

Within an environment defined by understated elegance, comfort and visual clarity, pieces by Arper, Artemide, Edra, Foscarini, Gallotti&Radice, Living Divani, Molteni&C, Natuzzi Italia, Paola Lenti, Poltrona Frau, Porro and Visionnaire were presented. The space was envisioned as a place for dialogue and exchange, where design functions as a cultural medium rather than a mere product.

Design as an Investment in Identity

As emphasised by Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano, the presence within the Art Basel platform represents a natural step at a time when design is increasingly recognised as a strategic asset. In a contemporary context where the boundaries between art, design and capital continue to blur, quality, authenticity and cultural narrative have become decisive factors of differentiation.

For this reason, the inclusion of Italian design within the Collectors Lounge goes beyond visibility—it affirms design as a long-term investment, capable of shaping the identity of spaces, brands and collections alike.

The United States: A Market of High Potential

The United States remains one of the most significant markets for the Italian furniture industry, particularly in the segments of luxury residential projects, hospitality, museums and high-end public spaces. Within this landscape, Miami stands out as a city driven by powerful cultural and investment dynamics, as well as a key gateway for Italian design in North America.

The Collectors Lounge at Art Basel Miami Beach symbolises this position—a meeting point where manufacturers, collectors and the creators of future projects converge.

A Global Strategy with a Clear Vision

The partnership with Art Basel forms part of a broader international strategy pursued by Salone del Mobile.Milano, encompassing initiatives and appearances in leading global capitals. The objective is clear: to position Italian design within contexts where new values, trends and investment decisions are shaped.

In doing so, Salone del Mobile.Milano confirms its evolution from a traditional trade fair into a global cultural and business ecosystem—a platform actively shaping the future of contemporary design, living and the luxury lifestyle.