The 13th edition of Art Basel Hong Kong, one of Asia’s leading art fairs, hosted the Salone del Mobile.Milano for the first time. With the support of ICE Hong Kong, the Salone curated the design of the Collectors’ Lounge, a 1,300-square-metre space conceived by the studio Lissoni & Partners. The exhibition celebrates the excellence of Made in Italy, showcasing more than 400 iconic pieces by 23 leading brands in the sector—including Arper, Artemide, B&B Italia, Bontempi & C, De Castelli, Ethimo, Fiam Italia, Flos, Gallotti & Radice, Glas Italia, Golran, Gufram, Ipe Visionnaire, Kartell, Mattiazzi, Memphis, Meridiani, Molteni Group, Natuzzi, Oluce, Pedrali, Porro and Villari—creating a compelling dialogue between art, innovation and manufacturing.
The inauguration of the Lounge, part of a three-year partnership between the Salone and Art Basel, also provided the backdrop for the celebration of Italian Design Day 2026, organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong. The event featured Annalisa Rosso, Editorial and Cultural Director of the Salone, who offered a reflection on re-design as a practice rooted in regeneration and responsible design. In the seminar titled “For the Love of Collectibles: Why Collect Design Now,” Rosso will further explore the value of contemporary design collecting, anticipating key themes that will shape the upcoming edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano (21–26 April 2026).
Among the distinguished attendees was the Italian Ambassador to China, H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, who underscored Hong Kong’s strategic importance for exports in the wood-furnishing sector, which reached €52 million in 2025. He highlighted the presence of the Salone del Mobile.Milano in such a prestigious international context as a testament to the global appreciation of Italian design—recognized as a hallmark of manufacturing excellence, a key driver of Italy’s economic diplomacy, and a fundamental indicator of the competitiveness of Italian companies on the world stage.
