Milan design fair Salone del Mobile postponed amidst coronavirus concerns

 The 59th edition of Italy's prestigious design and furniture show, Salone del Mobile Milano or the Milan Furniture Fair, will be postponed as a precautionary measure in light of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
Originally scheduled to be held at the Fiera Milano fairground and exhibition centre from April 21 to 26, it will now take place from June 16 to 21.

The most prominent event on the design-world calendar, it sees thousands of companies showcasing their creativity and remarkable furniture designs and decor that set the trends for the year. Held annually in Milan, widely recognised as the capital of design, the fair's 2019 edition saw over 380,000 visitors from around the world as well as over 800 international exhibitors.

In a social media video post, Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala shared, “It was hard to decide what to do in such a peculiar moment for Milan, but we have decided to postpone [the Salone del Mobile] by a couple of months. I thank [the trade show’s organizers] for this leap of faith. We have to deal with the [corona] virus and fight it, but, at the same time, we have to deal with the virus of distrust. Milan won’t give up!” (Source translation: WWD)    

Its new event dates will also coincide with the spring/summer edition of Florence-based fashion trade show Pitti Uomo, running June 16 to 19, and with Milan Men’s Fashion Week, kicking off on June 20.

Other notable events, including Venice’s annual carnival in addition to other cultural and sporting events, have been called off.