Proposte 2027: the 34th Villa Erba showcase of new furnishing fabrics, curtains and wallcoverings, 4–6 May in Cernobbio, Lake Como, for trade buyers.
Dates
4–6 May 2027
City / country
Cernobbio, Italy
Venue
Villa Erba
Time
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Event overview
Proposte is the international trade fair where European mills present their new furnishing fabric, curtain and wallcovering collections to the world's buyers. The 34th edition runs 4–6 May 2027 at Villa Erba, the lakeside exhibition centre in Cernobbio on Lake Como.
The 2026 edition brought 87 selected exhibitors from 14 countries and more than 2,500 buyers, with Italy, the UK, the US, Germany and France the top five visitor markets. The show is reserved for trade operators: textile editors, upholstered furniture makers, wholesalers, contract specialists, architects and interior designers.
TL;DR
See the new collections of 80-plus selected European mills in one place, handle samples before committing to a season and meet the people who actually weave the cloth. The compact Villa Erba layout makes it possible to cover furnishing fabrics, curtains, wallcoverings and trims in two days, with the lake and Como's design district nearby for evening meetings.
Proposte gathers the buyers that matter to a quality mill: textile editors, upholstered furniture manufacturers, wholesalers, retail chains, contract operators and architecture studios. Selection is curated, the atmosphere is quiet and the visitor profile is senior. A stand here positions a collection as part of the European premium supply chain rather than a commodity offer.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
2Largo Luchino Visconti 4, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
Food options
Villa Erba hospitality points
On-site diningParking: Use the Villa Erba car park off the Via Regina entrance and follow show signage; spaces are limited on the first morning, so arrive before 09:30 or use the Cernobbio bus from Como.
Gate: Enter through the main Villa Erba reception at Largo Luchino Visconti; have the electronic badge emailed after trade registration ready for scanning.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Trade visitor
Free admission reserved to trade operators; entry requires the electronic badge sent by email after registration.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Register online before the show; the electronic badge is sent by email and is scanned at the Villa Erba entrance.
Ticket notes
Admission is free but not open to the general public. Textile editors, furniture makers, wholesalers, converters, retail chains, contract operators, architecture and design studios and accredited journalists are admitted.
What's on
INTERNI.Proposte Award
Award launched at the 2026 edition to recognise collaborations between furniture brands and textile manufacturers; no 2027 shortlist has been published.
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation(MAECI)
Supported the 2026 edition through an incoming buyer and press delegation. · Italy
ITA – Italian Trade Agency(ITA)
Organised a delegation of 51 buyers and 16 international journalists from 23 countries in 2026. · Italy
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 2,500
Exhibitors: 87
Edition #: 33
Exhibitor countries: 14
This edition
2027
Visitors: 2,800
Exhibitors: 90
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
The 33rd edition closed on 7 May 2026 at Villa Erba with 87 exhibitors from 14 countries and more than 2,500 buyers, a 5% increase on 2025. Italy, the UK, the US, Germany and France were the leading visitor markets, supported by an incoming delegation of 51 buyers and 16 journalists from 23 countries.
New this edition
INTERNI.Proposte Award
A new award recognising collaborations between furniture brands and textile manufacturers, launched at the 2026 edition with INTERNI Magazine.
SourceDesign-led common areas
Cristina Celestino Studio designed the shared spaces from the Ala Regina for the 2026 edition, with installations from Contardi Lighting, Crema Outdoor, Meridiani, Roda and Saba.
SourceImpact
Proposte matters because it is small by design. Eighty-seven exhibitors is a curated slice of the European premium weave market, and more than 2,500 buyers in three days gives a mill a concentrated audience that a general home-textile fair cannot match. For a buyer, the value is comparison: similar qualities, different mills, one lakeside campus.
Audience quality
The audience is senior and trade-only: textile editors, upholstered furniture manufacturers, wholesalers, converters, retail chains, contract operators, architects and design studios. The 2026 visitor mix was led by Italy, the UK, the US, Germany and France, and the organiser brought 51 buyers and 16 journalists from 23 countries through the MAECI/ITA delegation. That is a buyer profile with specification authority, not a consumer crowd.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI here is relationship-led rather than volume-led. A mill can expect a few hundred qualified conversations over three days, with sampling and follow-up driving the season. Success depends on booking meetings before the show and bringing sellable samples, not on scanning badges. No audited ROI, rebooking rate or satisfaction score has been published, so none is claimed.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Proposte sits inside the Como textile district, one of Europe's densest networks of weaving, dyeing and finishing specialists. For international buyers it is a compact, curated view of the premium end of that supply chain, and for mills it is the point in the year when new collections meet the people who specify them.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Performance meets natural hand-feel
Buyers increasingly ask for stain-resistant, washable and light-fast fabrics that still feel like linen, wool or silk. Mills are answering with blends and finishing technology rather than synthetic substitutes.
What it changes: Retail and contract buyers can compare durability claims and hand-feel in the same visit, shortening the specification cycle.
Traceable and lower-impact fibres
European mills are documenting fibre origin, water use and chemical compliance as retailers add sustainability questions to sourcing briefs. Recycled and bio-based yarns are moving from capsule lines into main collections.
What it changes: A mill's ability to show traceable inputs is becoming a qualification issue, not just a marketing extra, especially for contract and large retail buyers.
Textile and furniture design converge
Fabric houses are collaborating with furniture brands, lighting makers and interior designers on installations and capsule collections, presenting cloth as part of a complete interior rather than a swatch alone.
What it changes: Visitors can see how a fabric performs in a room setting and identify cross-category partners for projects.
Proposte opens the spring sourcing window after the winter home-textile and design fairs. Buyers often pair it with Milan Design Week, while mills use the January shows to preview and Proposte to present finished collections.
Heimtextil
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Circuit-calendar estimate; confirm exact 2027 dates with Messe Frankfurt before booking.
websiteMaison&Objet
Paris, France
Circuit-calendar estimate; the January edition overlaps the furnishing-textile buying season.
websiteSalone del Mobile Milano
Milan, Italy
Circuit-calendar estimate; falls two weeks before Proposte and shares the Lake Como / Milan travel base.
websiteWinter preview
January is for range previews and broad home-textile sourcing.
Spring collection launch
Milan Design Week sets the design context; Proposte presents the fabric collections themselves.
Circuit dates are planning estimates from the fairs' usual calendar, not confirmed 2027 organiser announcements.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Milan Malpensa Airport
Best long-haul gateway; trains run to Milan Cadorna and Milano Centrale, then connect to Como.
about 55 km
to venue
55–70 min by car or Malpensa Express plus train
by car
Milan Linate Airport
Convenient for European flights; take the metro to Milano Centrale or Cadorna and continue by train to Como.
about 65 km
to venue
60–80 min by car
by car
Lugano Airport
Small Swiss gateway useful for visitors already in Ticino; check cross-border car-hire terms.
about 30 km
to venue
35–45 min by car
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–160 / night
Simple rooms 15–25 minutes by bus or car from Villa Erba; book early because Como hotels fill during design season.
USD 190–280 / night
Walkable lakefront base in Como with frequent C10/C20 buses to Cernobbio; Cernobbio options are closer but pricier.
USD 450–800 / night
Historic lake hotels for senior buyers and hosted delegations; reserve several months ahead and confirm cancellation terms.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Train + local bus
Trains run roughly hourly and take about 60 minutes; the bus stops near the Villa Erba approach.
Taxi
Use a metered taxi or pre-booked car; from Malpensa expect EUR 110–150 and 60–75 minutes.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (type C) | Non-EU nationals not covered by a visa-waiver for Italy | $100.00 | about 15 calendar days, longer in peak season |
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens travel freely; UK, US, Canadian, Australian and Japanese passport holders normally enter visa-free for short business visits, subject to current rules.
An ATA Carnet is the usual route for temporary import of samples and stand materials; list fabrics and display items precisely and have the carnet stamped at the Italian customs point.
Official visa pageWeather
May on Lake Como is mild and changeable: daytime highs around 20–24°C, nights around 13–15°C, with a real chance of showers and afternoon thunderstorms. Mornings are usually the driest window.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Mobile coverage is good across Cernobbio and Como; EU roaming rules apply for EU SIMs. Venue Wi-Fi is normally available but can be congested at peak hours, so carry a local data plan for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Aperitivo and late dinners
Business conversations often move to an aperitivo around 18:30 and dinner after 20:00. Book restaurants in Cernobbio or Como in advance during show week.
Sunday closures and smart casual
Many shops and some restaurants close on Sunday. Dress is smart casual; comfortable shoes matter because Villa Erba's historic paths and exhibition halls involve a fair amount of walking.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: Milan Malpensa (MXP)
Book 6–10 weeks ahead for May; arrive by 3 May to settle in before the opening. Milan Malpensa is the most reliable long-haul arrival, with trains to Milan and onward connections to Como.
Book flightsItaly is in the Schengen area. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens need no visa; many UK, US and other visa-waiver nationals can enter for short business visits. Other nationalities need a Schengen type C visa.
Estimated cost: USD 100 (about EUR 90)
Processing: about 15 calendar days
Apply well before travel and carry the registration confirmation, hotel booking and return ticket. Rules change, so check the Italian consulate in your country.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: MXP: Malpensa Express to Milan Cadorna, train to Como Nord Lago, then C10/C20 bus or taxi to Cernobbio (about 2 hours total). Linate: metro to Cadorna then the same route. Lugano: car or train via Chiasso.
Hotel → venue: From Como, take the C10/C20 bus to Cernobbio (20–30 min) or a taxi (15–25 min). From Cernobbio hotels the venue is a 5–15 minute walk.
Ride-hail: Uber is limited around Lake Como; use local taxis or pre-book a car through the hotel. Expect higher fares during show week.
Public transit: Ferrovie Nord trains connect Milan Cadorna with Como Nord Lago; C10/C20 buses link Como and Cernobbio. Buy tickets at tabacchi or via the app.
Parking: Limited on-site parking at Villa Erba; arrive early or use the signed overflow areas. Driving from Milan takes about 40–50 minutes via the A9.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 13–24°C
Seasonality: Mild spring with showers and occasional thunderstorms; lake breezes make evenings cooler.
Packing: Bring a light waterproof jacket, layers, comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella; a small bag for fabric swatches is useful.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 – Wednesday 5 May 2027
Day 1 is busiest with opening appointments and badge queues; Day 2 gives a calmer floor and a full 09:00–18:00 window. The final day closes at 16:00 and some mills begin packing, so use it only for follow-ups.
Register for a trade badge and book flights — Registration is free but trade-only; keep the confirmation email for the electronic badge.
Reserve a hotel in Cernobbio or Como — Cernobbio sells out during show week; Como city has more choice and good bus links.
Download the exhibitor list and shortlist 12–15 mills — Group targets by product category and note the collections you need to see.
Request meetings and plan the floor route — Confirm appointment times by email and leave buffer for Villa Erba's two exhibition areas.
Check travel, weather and badge details — Print or save the badge, pack a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes.
Badge collection and opening coffee
Villa Erba main receptionFurnishing fabric appointments with four shortlisted mills
Centro EspositivoLunch and informal networking
Villa Erba garden hospitality areaWallcovering and trim review, then design installation
Ala Regina and exhibition centreVilla del Balbianello
Historic Villa and Garden
35–45 minutes by boat from Cernobbio
A celebrated lakeside villa and garden, useful for design-minded visitors and a quiet half-day after the show.
Bellagio and Brunate
Lake Villages and Panorama
1–2 hours by ferry or funicular
Classic Lake Como views and a slower pace for a weekend extension; ferries connect from Como.
Villa Erba lakefront terrace
Venue terrace
The natural meeting point after the halls close; quieter than the main reception.
Piazza Risorgimento, Cernobbio
Lakeside cafes
A short walk from the venue for an aperitivo or dinner with suppliers.
Proposte is a relationship fair, so the follow-up matters more than the badge count. A disciplined 48-hour response and a clear sample timetable turn a three-day event into a season of orders.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 370–430 / m²
Raw space
EUR 300 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Indicative 2027 application terms reported by a trade listing: EUR 300/sqm for space, EUR 70/sqm registration and EUR 100 participation, about EUR 370/sqm before stand build. The organiser's admission documents should be checked before budgeting. The 9 sqm calculator default is below the reported 26 sqm minimum.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Booth space
exhibitor · raw
EUR 300–370 / per sqm
Hotel
visitor · mid
USD 190–280 / per night
Per diem
both · standard
USD 55–80 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booth space | exhibitor | raw | EUR 300–370 / per sqm | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| Hotel | visitor | mid | USD 190–280 / per night | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| Per diem | both | standard | USD 55–80 / per day | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
Decision
Six quick questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip Proposte 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a live sourcing brief and can commit at least one full day on the floor.
Best for
Retailers, designers and contract buyers sourcing new collections
Min. budget
$800.00
Timeline
6–8 weeks for flights and hotel
Risks
Cernobbio hotels sell out
Trade-only entry requires valid business credentials
exhibit
You have a sellable collection, a clear target list and budget for a quality stand.
Best for
Mills and textile brands launching a collection to European buyers
Min. budget
$12,000.00
Timeline
4–6 months for stand, samples and freight
Risks
Curated admission may be refused
Minimum stand size and build costs can exceed a small mill's budget
skip
You are not a trade buyer, supplier or accredited journalist, or the 2027 range is not relevant.
Best for
General consumers, hobby sewers and companies with no textile brief
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Entry is refused without trade credentials
A visit without a sourcing brief rarely produces follow-up
Book with
Villa Erba S.p.A.
The lakeside congress and exhibition centre that has hosted Proposte for decades, combining the historic villa with a modern exhibition hall.
Venue operator; not a commercial sponsor of the 2027 edition.
ITA – Italian Trade Agency
Italian government agency that supported the 2026 edition with an incoming delegation of 51 buyers and 16 international journalists from 23 countries.
Named as a supporter of the 2026 edition; 2027 participation not yet confirmed.
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Co-supported the 2026 incoming buyer and press programme alongside ITA, reinforcing the show's international reach.
Named as a 2026 supporter; not confirmed for 2027.
Sistema Moda Italia
Italy's fashion and textile industry federation, a relevant institutional voice for the mills and textile supply chain represented at Proposte.
Contextual industry body; no confirmed partnership with the 2027 edition.
Recommended providers
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – visa portal
Official Schengen visa information and appointment booking; apply at the consulate covering your residence.
Useful for comparing Cernobbio and Como rates; book a cancellable rate early because show week is busy.
Italy's flag carrier with connections to Milan from European and intercontinental hubs; compare with low-cost carriers for short-haul.
Global forwarder with exhibition logistics; confirm Villa Erba access, unloading slots and ATA Carnet handling.
Travel and medical cover for Schengen visitors; exhibitors also need public liability insurance for the stand.
Ferry and hydrofoil services to Villa del Balbianello, Bellagio and other lake villages.
Event and lead-capture platform; agree GDPR-compliant consent and a CSV export before the show.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
7 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
4
References
3
Publishers
4
Date checked
Proposte S.r.l.
IT Exhibition
Italia.it
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