Three years and ten months after the first edition in 2022, the fifth edition of Tigullio Design District 2026 will see, as the organizers intended from the beginning, the development of activities spread across the entire Gulf of Tigullio, expanding both online and in-person activities, increasing year after year the involvement of the entire region and beyond. The Tigullio Design District has been recognized and included among the events of Made in Italy Day by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy.
• TDD2026 OPENING, with the “Time and Tide” fashion show by CNA Federmoda Genova curated by Morena Mazzari + aperitif
It will begin with a grand inauguration in Chiavari at the Villa Rocca Park on Saturday, April 18, 2026, where the 2026 event will be presented to institutions and the press, the main activities of this edition, and the vision for the coming years. The event will be enriched by a fashion show called “Time and Tide” by CNA Federmoda Genova curated by Morena Mazzari, and the whole thing will conclude with a closing aperitif for all guests. In the gardens of Villa Rocca in Chiavari, the Time and Tide fashion show inaugurates the Tigullio Design District, transforming the time of the sea into matter and aesthetic language. Independent fashion and nautical culture meet in collections that interpret the contemporary through high-end, conscious, and distinctive craftsmanship. The creative direction of Morena Mazzari, with CNA Federmoda, brings together Atelier Maria Pia G by Maria Pia Grasso and Greta Saponaro, Racine | Fashion Design Project by Eden Embafrash, along with Stefano Grosso’s L’Asino d’Oro goldsmith workshop, Carla Quaglia – Maglieria e Cashmere, and the historic maison DAPHNÉ Sanremo, creating a dialogue between technique, aesthetics, and a refined nostalgic reference to life on board. Time and Tide thus becomes a first design tool that intertwines fashion, territory, and maritime culture, transforming the fashion show into an immersive experience of time, form, and landscape. Local and regional authorities from Liguria, guests and institutions, Tigullio Design District partners, as well as the press and prominent figures, will participate in an institutional and convivial moment of networking and lifestyle.
• BLUE HUB OPENING: Design and Nautical Industry: Exhibition, Conferences, and Experience
The Blue Hub, born as the nautical heart of the TDD, is now in its fifth edition, marking a new milestone in the event’s growth. It will be held in Santa Margherita Ligure, both in the port and at the Casa del Mare. It is a format dedicated to the local nautical industry, conceived as an exhibition, conference, and experiential space, a place for dialogue and networking between businesses, designers, and institutions. The event will feature three iconic shipyards of the Gulf, listed in alphabetical order: Cantieri Sangermani, Giorgio Mussini, and Motor Marine Ma.Mi. These companies embody tradition, innovation, and maritime identity, helping to strengthen the role of the Tigullio region as a strategic platform for waterfront design. The Blue Hub aims to be a hub for discussion on the themes of design evolution, sustainability, and new technologies applied to the nautical sector. A concrete opportunity to network skills and visions, enhancing local know-how from an international perspective, supporting Liguria’s promotional activities for the Blue Economy sector, and further establishing Liguria as a strategic and central region for the global nautical industry.
• OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION “THE DESIGN OF PERU”
In true international style, since 2022, TDD has welcomed hundreds of international participants, including a delegation of Chinese designers. This year, Peru is the guest of honor for the fifth edition. TDD is a partner of Lima Design Week International, which, coordinated by director Teresa Edwards Ames, will bring a delegation of 40 Peruvian designers from Peru’s main cities to exhibit their design projects from April 19th to 26th. A dedicated inauguration will be held on Sunday, April 19th, with the presence of the Consul General of Peru, Carlos Tavera, institutions, and guests. It will be a unique opportunity to celebrate Peruvian design and the centuries-old friendship between Peru and the Chiavari, Tigullio, and Liguria regions. The exhibition brings together tradition and innovation, cultural identity and global design languages. At the center are sustainability, local culture, and craftsmanship, reinterpreted in a modern key. The exhibition also involves students from the University of Sciences and Arts of Latin America (UCAL) and the Private University of the North (UPN), enhancing international education. For Lima Design Week, directed by Teresa Edwards Ames, the initiative marks a strategic step in its internationalization process, strengthening the dialogue between Peru and Italy in the name of design.
• BLUE GARDEN OPENING
This week will see the inauguration of the first edition of the Blue Garden, an exhibition dedicated to nautical projects conceived and developed by students of the University of Genoa, La Spezia Campus (UniGe), coordinated by the students Ginevra Tempo, Marianna Di Virgilio, and Lucrezia Spada. The event, hosted in the charming Casa del Mare in Santa Margherita Ligure, was created to promote young, emerging nautical designers and engineers, offering them an exclusive and prestigious showcase within the Tigullio Design District. Over the course of the various days, students will have the opportunity to showcase their innovative projects and ideas and engage with yacht designers and leading figures in the nautical industry through moments of dialogue and insight, fostering a concrete exchange between education and business and stimulating new design visions for the future of the sector.
• DESIGN ANTE LITTERAM; THE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAIR OF CHIAVARI FROM THE 19TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY – 3rd Edition
Following the success of previous editions, “Design ante litteram: the lightweight chair of Chiavari from the 19th century to today – 3rd Edition” returns in 2026. This cultural project tells the story of the iconic chair of Chiavari, from its 19th-century origins to contemporary visions. Born from the collaboration between Liguria Design, the Società Economica di Chiavari ETS, manufacturers, and key figures in the Chiavari area, the exhibition confirms its position as a widespread and growing initiative, engaging the entire city of Chiavari in a narrative that unites craftsmanship and design, tradition, education, culture, and local identity. The Lightweight Chair of Chiavari, considered a forerunner of modern design and an example of Italian excellence for over two centuries, has inspired some of the world’s finest designers and is now the focus of the largest widespread exhibition ever dedicated to a single product. During the TDD, conferences, meetings, exhibitions, and guided tours will enliven the area with artisans, scholars, and protagonists of Chiavari’s tradition. Making this edition even more significant is the prestigious recognition from the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy. As part of the 2026 philatelic program dedicated to “Excellence of the Production System and Made in Italy,” in collaboration with Poste Italiane, the Ministry has recognized the Sedia Leggera di Chiavari as worthy of an official stamp issue dedicated to the excellence of Italian design. This week, the stamp will be cancelled by the Società Economica di Chiavari, definitively establishing it as an icon of Made in Italy throughout the world. During the same days, the Società Economica di Chiavari and its IGP consortium members will present the European trademark for the Sedia Leggera di Chiavari, a unique opportunity to explore this remarkable achievement.
• WORKSHOP; DESIGN BETWEEN LAND AND SEA 4th Edition and 36×36 EXHIBITION Young talents grow
School involvement is growing during the Tigullio Design District week, with six local schools participating, including Giannini, Marconi-Delpino, Luzzati-Natta in Chiavari/Sestri Levante, Da Vigo-Nicoloso in Rapallo, and the Accademia del Turismo in Lavagna. With a view to a widespread event, the workshop project, which began in 2023 with the initial involvement of just one school, is also expanding this year. Both institutions will be involved, bringing together hundreds of students and professionals. Here are some of the designers who will be speaking during the week: Fabio di Bella, Mattia Nocera, Alessandra Lorini, Marina Bo, Goran Rimac, Riccardo Suriano, Annalisa Poletto, Sonia Procopio, Marco Olivieri, and others. Each year, the workshop produces new projects based on the students’ work, which are becoming a creative asset for the region and Liguria. Students from all schools develop numerous ideas and design projects, encouraged by professionals, and working together in groups to develop new solutions. The new projects for 2026 will be presented on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Ex Convento dell’Annunziata in Sestri Levante. They will be exhibited alongside the projects of the students who developed the workshop in 2023, 2024, and 2025, under the title “36×36 young talents grow.”
• DESIGN 4 FUTURE – 2ND EDITION
Design 4 Future is part of the Tigullio Design District 2026 program, confirming its position as a project dedicated to the major themes of accessibility, the environment, and sustainability, interpreted in an innovative way. Born in 2025 from the collaboration between the Italian Naval League and Liguria Design, the pilot event took place at the Chiavari Tourist Port. The success of the first edition has led to the creation, in 2026, of a partnership involving the four L.N.I. (Italian National Navy) sections of the Tigullio Gulf: Rapallo, Santa Margherita Ligure, Chiavari/Lavagna, and Sestri Levante, creating a dynamic operational network of associations, federations, companies, professionals, and young people. The four-day event will take place from April 20 to 26, 2026, one for each section, within the TDD, and each stage will address a specific theme: “Accessible Boating in the Tigullio: Sea Sports for All” in Chiavari; “Accessible Ports: Design, Environmental Well-being, and Comfort at Sea” in Rapallo; “Inclusive Communication for Maritime Activities” in Sestri Levante; and “Boats for All: Inclusive Innovation on Board” in Santa Margherita Ligure. The curatorship is entrusted to architect Valia Galdi, an athlete and competitor of the Italian Naval League on the Hansa class, who has been committed for years to promoting truly inclusive sailing, and coordinated by Dr. Monica Corte, Regional Delegate for Liguria of the Italian Naval League.
– LIGURIA DESIGN FORUM
A new edition of the Liguria Design Forum, promoted by the Liguria Design Cultural Association, will be held on Saturday, April 25th. The event brings together designers from across Liguria, working in fields ranging from graphics to nautical design, from interior design to product design. An afternoon of presentations and discussions dedicated to the growth of the first regional design network. The Forum was created as a space for dialogue between professionals and the local community, fostering synergies and new projects. The “LiguriaDesign” vision translates into a cross-disciplinary and collaborative approach. This edition will take place in the stunning setting of Villa Vicini in Zoagli, a historic residence overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio, offering an elegant and distinctive setting. Established and emerging designers will share experiences and visions with a view to enhancing their talent and the region in which they operate. After their presentations, they will listen to the Municipality of Zoagli and local authorities, fostering a cultural and planning exchange on the future of the region. Design meets the local area in a contemporary and visionary way. In this spirit, the day will conclude with a networking aperitif open to all attendees.
• BEST SHOP 2026 EVENT – 3RD EDITION
As part of the Tigullio Design District 2026, the Liguria Design Cultural Association will award the “Best Shop” 2026 recognition and quality mark to businesses in the Gulf of Tigullio that stand out for the aesthetics and functionality of their spaces, the quality of their services, and their historic standing. The award was created with the aim of recognizing those entrepreneurs who offer the best experience to residents and tourists, contributing to the area’s identity and attractiveness. For this edition, dozens of businesses in the area were selected, evaluated according to criteria related to the aesthetics of their spaces, hospitality, attention to detail, and consistency with local tradition. The winners, chosen by the Association’s jury, will receive the official certificate and “Best Shop” 2026 quality seal. The awards ceremony, complete with a networking cocktail, will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd, in the splendid setting of O’ Magazine, the evening’s event partner, at Porto Carlo Riva. This exclusive event is open to design retailers from the Tigullio Gulf and the award finalists. The official results will be announced on Saturday, April 18th during the inauguration of the TDD and then relaunched online.
• SEA DESIGN AWARD 2026 – 5TH EDITION – POWERED by VERGA1958
The international competition for university design students returns, focusing on nautical and industrial design. Now in its fifth edition, the award recognizes projects addressing major maritime themes: sustainability, innovation, accessibility, and environmental protection. Participants presented original and contemporary solutions for the nautical industry of the future. The winners will be announced on April 20, 2026, at the opening of the Tigullio Design District 2026. The results will be published on the official website in the competition section. The final international jury for this edition was composed of (in alphabetical order): Javier Tomás Casabé, Mané Ferrari, Michele Solari, Stefano Bitturini (President of the Jury), Tie Ji, and Tommaso Piazzola. The SEA DESIGN AWARD 2026 thus confirms its position as a privileged international observatory for emerging talent and new directions in maritime design.
• ICONS OF STYLE – 1ST EDITION
“Icons of Style” is the Tigullio Design District’s new format, transforming shops in the Gulf into exhibition spaces dedicated to design culture. From April 20 to 26, 2026, a series of businesses between Portofino and Sestri Levante will showcase a symbolic product, representative of their identity and capable of expressing research, taste, and vision. This creates a multifaceted exhibition that spans the Tigullio region, creating a cultural journey through clothing, furniture, yachting, and other sectors related to contemporary lifestyle. Each business becomes a stop on an experiential journey, where commerce becomes a storyteller and interpreter of beauty. The “icons” on display are not simply products, but distinctive signs that express design culture, quality, history, and aesthetic sensibility. Throughout the week, the shops will host dedicated events, helping to enliven the TDD calendar with moments of encounter and sharing. A project that enhances the area’s commercial fabric and strengthens the Gulf’s identity as a place of style, culture, and modernity.
• MINIMAL VIEWS. OBJECTS, PLACES, AND DETAILS OF TIGULLIO IN POSTCARD FORMAT
Vedute minime is the new exhibition by Anonima Chiavarese, a collective of five local graphic designers and illustrators: Francesca Bezzan, Camilla Giachetta, Riccardo Guasco, Gian Franco Randazzo, and Raffaella Vernazza. The project stems from the idea of observing the region from a close-up perspective, transforming everyday details, objects, and glimpses into small illustrated visions. The images, mostly collected in postcard format, offer a narrative of essential signs and visual synthesis, where minimal elements become protagonists. Through architecture, urban fragments, patterns, and small landscapes, the exhibition constructs a visual itinerary that traverses the Tigullio region from detail to view, in a continuous dialogue between illustration, graphics, and design.
• ONCE UPON A TIME: THE SECRET BEHIND THE JEWEL
“Once Upon a Time” is an invitation to cross the threshold of the goldsmith’s workshop to witness the genesis of Alessandra Lorini’s Emotional Ornaments. In the evocative setting of the Grand Hotel dei Castelli in Sestri Levante, the designer will reveal the secret of modeling wax for goldsmithing. Through a live demonstration, you will discover how the raw material is transformed into a precious object. An authentic encounter between design and fine craftsmanship, where manual know-how becomes the story of an idea that takes shape through the harmony between mind and gesture. A story where the finished object is the final act of a profound internal dialogue between the designer and the material, carrying with it all the emotional charge of the creative process.
• BEHIND THE SCENE: HOW DESIGN BUILDS THE PERFECT EVENT
Event design is not decoration: it is strategy, narrative, identity. In this conference, two industry leaders share their approach to event planning—from concept to execution—exploring the role of design in creating emotional atmospheres and spaces that communicate. Curated by Camilla Zenezini, with the participation of Martina Ferrari, Wedding Designer.
And much more all around in the shop, cultural space, corner of the city, and port in the bay, welcome to discover more!
TIGULLIO YOUR NEW DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Web – http://www.tigulliodesigndistrict.com
Email – info@tigulliodesigndistrict.com
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Patrocinio istituzionale / Institutional Patronage:
organized by:
Associazione Culturale Liguria Design
Media Partner DESIGNER magazine Global
2026.03.27 Stockholm
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