Wallpaper*, May 2026 – The Design Issue

Welcome to the May issue, in which we herald the design year’s crowning moment by casting a judicious eye over the slew of projects bringing Milan’s annual gathering of the creative industries to scintillating life. Salone del Mobile has been consistently growing its cultural offering in the past few years, on a mission to become not only a trade fair but a must-visit destination. And this year sees the introductions of two important changes to the fairscape: Salone Raritas, dedicated to collectible design, and a section for contract curated by OMA. Set to debut in 2027, it’s soft-launched this year, a further sign of Salone’s clear purpose to be part of the global conversation about the ever-shifting purpose of the design industry.