Thai crafts showcased at world-famous Milan Design Week 2026
Twenty-five Thai brands showcased sustainable craft innovations at Milan Design Week 2026, featuring materials made from agricultural waste like rice scraps and mycelium alongside biomaterials from mussel shells.
MILAN — 21 May 2026, Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) brought 25 Thai brands to exhibit handcrafted products and sustainable material innovations at Milan Design Week 2026, one of the world's largest design festivals, held in April.
The exhibition, titled "Slow Hand Design 2026", was held at Superstudio Events in Milan under the concept "Heritage Reimagined: The Futuristic Thai Crafts Evolution".
Organisers said the exhibition aimed to demonstrate how innovative materials rooted in local Thai wisdom could meet international design standards.
Participating brands presented materials developed from agricultural and industrial waste, including tiles made from mycelium, rice scraps and coffee grounds, as well as materials developed from acid sulphate soil.
The exhibition reflected growing global interest in sustainable materials with strong cultural and environmental narratives, organisers said.
Among the featured works was "SEA of Love" by AVALON ARTISAN GALLERY, which showcased a wall sculpture created from "MyraShell", a biomaterial developed from discarded mussel shells from Thailand's seafood industry.
The material was developed in collaboration with Thailand's National Innovation Agency, Kasetsart University and the university's Faculty of Fisheries.
According to the developers, the material's microporous structure allows it to diffuse fragrance, highlighting its potential in sustainable design and material innovation.
DITP said the exhibition highlighted the potential of Thai designers and sustainable materials on the global stage while introducing contemporary interpretations of Thai craftsmanship to international audiences.
