Helsinki based design companies explore happiness and sustainability at Milan Design Week
Habitare Objects. Photo: Cristian Jakowleff
Helsinki is making a bold statement at Milan Design Week, 7.–13.4.2025, when Finnish companies define happiness through a new type of furniture and lighting solutions, material innovations, collaborations and product launches from young designers to heritage companies.
"As Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for eighth consecutive years, design plays a key role in shaping a better Helsinki. At the city level, design is integrated into everyday life, influencing areas such as healthcare and education. In Milan, you can see remarkable examples of Finnish design, deeply rooted in the country’s strong design heritage, sustainability, and innovation," says Helsinki’s Chief Design Officer, Hanna Harris.
Helsinki based design companies are deeply rooted in values, such as equality, functionality and practicality. Finnish design champions the idea of design for all, ensuring accessibility and comfort in everyday objects, from furniture to city planning. There’s a strong commitment to sustainability, with a focus on using natural materials, recycling, and minimizing environmental impact.
In Milano, designers Aino Michelsen, Ville Auvinen and Simo Lahtinen are presented in Salone Satellite with the work highlighting this year’s theme, New Craftsmanship. Furniture companies such as Made by Choice, Nikari and Woodnotes are known for their innovative use of wood, blending traditional techniques with modern design. Ethical and ecologically sustainable material solutions are presented in Habitare Materials & Objects in Alcova.
Designing happiness in Helsinki in September 2025
Helsinki´s celebration of happiness and kindness continues beyond Milan at Helsinki Design Week from September 5th to 14th, 2025, when Helsinki Design Week will mark its 20th anniversary. The theme, Celebration, invites visitors and contributors to this city-wide festival to raise a toast to achievements, solutions, and opportunities. The exhibition curated by Design Writer, Curator, Consultant and Teacher Anniina Koivu, for this milestone year, Designing Happiness exhibition explores a fundamental question: How can happiness be designed? The exhibition is open throughout Helsinki Design Week.
"Helsinki is a city that thrives on creativity, inclusivity, and innovation, and we are thrilled to continue this journey at Helsinki Design Week in September 2025. Helsinki Design Week has always been a platform for inspiration and collaboration, and this milestone year will highlight how design can shape a better, more joyful world for all," Harris says.
HELSINKI BASED COMPANIES IN MILAN
Fun and emerging designers:
Aino Michelsen & Ville Auvinen at Salone Satellite
8.–13.4. at Salone Satellite exhibition, Booth C39, Milan
ainomichelsen.com, studiovilleauvinen.com
Aino Michelsen and Ville Auvinen are Helsinki-based furniture designers, each with their own independent practice. Since 2023, they have collaborated to explore the potential of extruded Finnish red clay in furniture-scale objects. In Salone Satellite they will exhibit a ceramic shelf highlighting this year’s theme, New Craftsmanship. In their work Aino and Ville strive for rational industrial production while honouring the materials they use.
Simo Lahtinen at Salone Satellite
8.–13.4. at Salone Satellite exhibition, Stand D34, Hall 7, Milan
simolahtinen.com
At Salone Satellite, designer Simo Lahtinen presents his latest collection of furniture and lighting, showcasing a refined balance between craftsmanship and contemporary design. His work emphasizes sustainable materials, innovative construction methods, and a timeless aesthetic. The exhibition features Kehikko chairs, Pivot lamps, Orbit trays and Tre bench, along with new prototypes.
Sofia Ilmonen & Industries Italia
8.–13.4. at ZONA K, Via Spalato 11, Milan
Sofiailmonen.com
Fashion designer Sofia Ilmonen and Industries Italia join forces to explore industry-scale production of modular, transformable clothing—pioneering a future where garments adapt, evolve, and endure. The project focuses on refining Ilmonen’s unique approach to fashion—garments constructed from modular pieces, connected by a button and loop mechanism, allowing countless transformations.
SALAKAUPPA by COMPANY: Old Kiosk / New Kiosk
7.–13.4. at Small Space, Corso di Porta Vittoria 46, Milan
com-pa-ny.com
COMPANY (Aamu Song & Johan Olin) transform Old Kiosk to New Kiosk during Milan Salone 2025. Salakauppa fills Small Space, a gallery that used to be a kiosk. Visitors will meet a fully functioning shop with a vending machine for purchasing items.
Marimekko and Laila Gohar installation and capsule collection
7.–13.4. at Teatro Litta, Corso Magenta 24, Milan
Marimekko.com
Finnish lifestyle design house Marimekko and New York-based artist and creative Laila Gohar explore all the things we do in bed with an immersive experience that centres around a grand-sized bed in the foyer of Teatro Litta.
Craftsmanship & wood:
Nikari & Woodnotes
8.–13.4. at Pavilion 22 Stand B16, Fiera Milano Rho, S.S. del Sempione 28 - Rho (MI),
nikari.fi woodnotes.fi
Focused on woodworking and cabinetmaking, the Finnish design studio and furniture manufacturer embraces both traditional craftsmanship and ecologically-sound contemporary practices to create products that signals a distinctly Finnish way of life that ultimately prides itself in material simplicity, subtle refinement, and a peaceful existence with the natural world. At Salone del Mobile, Milano, Nikari launches The LINEA KVP11, a meeting table that can be modified according to customer's wishes, and it can be combined with almost any chair.
Made by Choice at Mariano Rubinacci
7.–11.4., open mon-sat 10-19, Via Gesú 1, Milan
madebychoice.com
Made by Choice’s Kolho chairs, designed with Matthew Day Jackson and first introduced in Milan in 2019, return to Salone del Mobile this year. Set within the historic Mariano Rubinacci store, the installation will showcase Kolho chairs in a custom colour, arranged around an 11 Ravens pool table— both blending bold design with expert craftsmanship. The event is presented in collaboration with Mariano Rubinacci, Eleven Ravens, Ruinart Champagne, and Loro Piana, bringing together creative minds from different fields in a luxurious setting.
Masters of light (and darkness):
Saas Instruments at Euroluce
8.–13.4., Euroluce 2025, Stand C24 in hall 6, Milan
saas.fi
To master the light, one must be comfortable with darkness. Saas Instruments is a family-owned lighting manufacturer in the heart of Helsinki and trusted partner of the world´s leading architecture and design companies. The balance between light and darkness is the Nordic identity Saas wants to offer its clients. At Euroluce, Saas will focus on decorative design lighting as well as a selection of carefully chosen fixtures from the technical portfolio.
Yrjö Kukkapuro at Fiera Milano Rho
8.–13.4. BLOND x Yrjö Kukkapuro, Hall 10, Monter A04, Fiera Milano Rho, S.S. del Sempione 28 - Rho (MI), yrjokukkapuro.com
The YK100 luminaire system, designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro for his and wife Irmeli´s studio in the 1960's, is a typical Kukkapuro product: an architectural design-inspired structure, consisting of separate components being based on both aesthetic and functional innovation, user experience and ergonomics.
Secto Design at Milan Design Week
7.–13.4. at Euroluce (P6 – A36) and at LaCividina Showroom (Via Manzoni 41, Milan)
sectodesign.fi
The Finnish lighting brand Secto Design returns to Milan Design Week, presenting its timeless collection of sustainable wooden luminaires – and unveiling a remarkable new design – at two prestigious venues: Euroluce and LaCividina Showroom. The event marks the debut of Adilo, an innovative pendant lamp blending wood and geometric precision with organic fluidity. Delivered as a flatpack, Adilo transforms in the hands of the user, unfolding into a mesmerising sculptural form in a single motion. Designed by Finnish wood artisan and industrial designer Ilkka Kauppinen, the novelty marks a bold new chapter in the thirty-year journey of Secto Design.
New materials:
Habitare Materials & Objects at Alcova
7.–13.4. at Alcova, Milan
habitare.messukeskus.com
Habitare, the leading furniture, design and interior design event in the Nordic countries, will take several Finnish design companies to Milan Design Week. Habitare Materials & Objects highlights ethical and ecologically sustainable, Finnish design and material solutions. The exhibition will feature Arktis, Fiberwood, Durat, Hiil, KOIVUI®, KOTA Company, Metsä Fibre, Mölinä, Pihlgren&Ritola, The Friends of Finnish Handicraft, and VM Carpet, as well as the designers Ville Auvinen, Fanni Laukkanen, Aino Michelsen ja Roosa Ryhänen.
Further information
Leena Karppinen
Senior Manager, PR & Communications, Helsinki Partners
leena.karppinen@helsinkipartners.com
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