If there is one person who visually and spiritually embodies the Milan Design Week, it is Rossana Orlandi. Easily recognizable by her iconic oversized white glasses and impeccable personal style, the “Godmother of Italian Design” has spent decades discovering the world’s most brilliant avant-garde talents.
For the 2026 Fuorisalone, embracing the “Being Project” theme, Orlandi’s presence is too large to be contained within a single building. While her historic gallery remains the beating heart of her curation (focusing on raw talent and radical sustainability), her monumental brand collaborations have spilled out into museums, cloisters, and flagship stores across Milan.
Here is your insider’s guide to navigating the entire Rossana Orlandi ecosystem in 2026, both inside the gallery and out on the streets.
PART 1: The Main Gallery (Via Matteo Bandello, 14)
The chaotic, lush, and deeply emotional labyrinth. This is where you go to see the raw future of design.
1. The Iconic Courtyard: “Nomadic Hospitality”
Before you even see the indoor galleries, you must experience the courtyard. Covered in a dense canopy of creeping vines, it is the unofficial living room of the global design elite.
- The 2026 Installation: This year, the central installation focuses on “Nomadic Hospitality”. Expect to see lightweight architectural structures and outdoor furniture crafted from highly experimental materials that actually change color depending on the angle and intensity of the sunlight.
2. Ro Plastic Prize 2026 & RoGUILTLESSPLASTIC
Orlandi is the design world’s fiercest advocate for circular design. The Ro Plastic Prize is an international competition challenging designers to create high-end solutions using recycled waste.
- The 2026 Novelty: Sustainability gets radical this year with a brand-new category dedicated entirely to biopolymers derived from agricultural waste. It proves that eco-conscious design can be supremely luxurious.
3. Ro Collectible Design: Carbonell & Asian Mastery
Orlandi’s curation of limited-edition pieces sits on the razor’s edge between fine art and functional furniture.
- The Highlights: Spanish designer Nacho Carbonell returns to dominate the main rooms with new “functional sculptures” (massive, organic lighting and seating). Additionally, there is a prominent showcase of designers from South Korea and Japan, exploring the fusion of ancestral lacquer techniques with raw, recycled metals.
4. Design for Mental Health & RoSana
Aligning with the “Being Project,” a brand-new section of the gallery is dedicated to sensory well-being—a detox room focusing on tactile textures, soothing acoustics, and air-purifying design. Afterward, stop by RoSana, the gallery’s bistro. You won’t just be eating an updated menu; you will be dining off prototype tableware and sitting on prototype chairs designed by the very talents Rossana is launching this year.
PART 2: Beyond the Gallery — The City-Wide Collaborations
To avoid the massive crowds at Via Matteo Bandello, insiders know to track down Rossana’s external partnerships, which occupy some of Milan’s most stunning architectural spaces.
1. Kia x Rossana Orlandi (Museo della Permanente)
Located at Via Filippo Turati 34, this is a museum-scale installation.
- What to See: The “Opposites United” exhibition is a vast, immersive landscape often featuring sound and light performances. Because the space is massive, it is much easier to navigate than the main gallery.
2. Samsung (Le Cavallerizze, Leonardo da Vinci Museum)
Samsung takes over the historic cavalry stables of the Science and Technology Museum.
- What to See: Rossana curates a specific section called “New Foundations.” Here, Samsung’s latest screens and smart tech are seamlessly integrated into sustainable, high-design domestic environments, predicting the future of the smart home.
3. Saint-Louis (Cloisters of San Simpliciano)
Tucked away in the Brera district, this collaboration with the legendary crystal maker takes place in a hidden, historic cloister.
- What to See: A breathtaking visual dialogue between classical crystal craftsmanship and Orlandi’s contemporary design curation. The historical setting perfectly amplifies the refraction of light through the pieces.
4. Valextra (Flagship Store, Via Manzoni)
If you are walking near the Duomo and the Quadrilatero della Moda, this is a mandatory quick stop.
- What to See: Valextra allows a designer chosen by Rossana to completely hijack their boutique. Both the facade and the interior are transformed into a spatial art piece, merging high-end leather goods with radical interior architecture.
5. Google x Rossana Orlandi (Zona Tortona)
While Google has its main sensory installation on Via Savona, pieces curated by Rossana that utilize Google AI technology are often demonstrated inside the massive Superstudio Più hub.
Insider Survival Tips for the Orlandi Circuit
- The Late-Night Hack: The Kia installation at the Museo della Permanente is usually open late (often until 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM). Save this for the end of your day when the other showrooms have closed.
- How to Split Your Time: If you want to see the pure artistic curation and the “Ro Plastic Prize” talents, you must brave the crowds at the main gallery on Via Matteo Bandello. If you want high-tech, large-scale spectacles with shorter lines, focus on the external collaborations like Kia and Valextra.
- Talk to the Creators: Inside the main gallery, the young designers are usually standing nervously right next to their creations. Speak to them! Understanding their creative process is the true magic of Rossana Orlandi’s world.
While Milan pulses with the energy of the Fuorisalone, the true essence of luxury design awaits you at Rho Fiera. We invite you to visit the Home’Society Collective (Pavilion 15, Stand A01-A03)for artisanal excellence by BRABBU, Rug’Society, Boca do Lobo, and more. To explore a new era of private luxury, join Maison Valentina at EuroBagno (Pavilion 6, Stand C32)and see how we transform the bathroom into a high-design sanctuary. Come visit us and let’s shape the future of high-end interiors together!
