On March 23, in the presence of Italy’s Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, the fifth edition of the Italian Design Week opens in Washington, D.C.. The event is promoted by IMARK, led by Roberta Marcenaro Lyon, with the support of the Italian Embassy in the United States.
Held at the Embassy itself, just a short distance from the White House and the Capitol, the initiative brings together leading figures from business, architecture, and politics on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its goal is to further strengthen the role of Italian industrial design – not only as a defining expression of Italy’s creative identity and a soft power tool across all production sectors, but also as a renewed pillar of Italy–US relations, while acknowledging the transition factors tied to recent uncertainties in global trade.
The Ambassador for this edition, dedicated to the theme “Regeneration,” will be Mario Cucinella, founder of MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects. A visionary architect and pioneer of sustainable design, Cucinella is known for combining technological innovation with environmental awareness. His role as Ambassador of IDW 2026 highlights the event’s commitment to new interpretations of a “regenerative” society and economy, with applications spanning cultural, industrial, urban, ecological, and social fields, bringing to Washington the expertise of a firm at the forefront of transforming global urban spaces.
“The theme of regeneration,” said Marcenaro Lyon, “is now central not only in urban planning and architecture, but also in industry. It means going beyond simple sustainability to design, together with major industrial players and designers, the spaces of tomorrow – inclusive, green, and tech-driven. Choosing this theme in 2026 means recognizing that design has the power to heal places, territories, and relationships. In a broader sense, regeneration could also become a response to global systemic crises, and even be applied to diplomacy, evolving the concept of Made in Italy into Made by Italians.”
Italian Design Week 2026 benefits from a strategic partnership with OICE, emphasizing that Made in Italy is not only about aesthetics but also a key economic driver. The agreement aims to promote Italian engineering excellence in major US infrastructure and industrial development plans, confirming Italy as a preferred technological partner.
Among the key figures is Alfredo Ingletti, recognized as a Champion in Engineering for FIDIC, and the first Italian ever to serve as president of the global federation, marking a significant milestone in engineering excellence and international cooperation.
Alongside him, the 2026 Champions awarded by Marcenaro Lyon include: Mario Cucinella for architecture and IDW Ambassador for MCA Architects; Alessia Crivelli for jewelry design with Crivelli Gioielli; Azzurra Morelli for fashion with Pellemoda; Carlotta de Bevilacqua for interior design with Artemide; Carla Migliardi for collaboration as CEO of SINERGIE; and Valeria Lorenzelli for urban regeneration with the NEARRES project.
IMARK, based in Washington, has spent nearly 20 years supporting Italian and European companies seeking to invest in the US, helping launch or strengthen major players across sectors including engineering, interior design, fashion, food, technology, construction, and transportation.
Its flagship platform is Italian Design Week, held in Washington since 2022, blending Italian creativity with American innovation and generating major business opportunities. Participating brands have included Ducati, Armani, Ferrero, Leonardo, Valentino, Intesa Sanpaolo, Beretta, EssilorLuxottica, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Gucci, Manifatture Sigaro Toscano, Piaggio, and Brioni, among many others. Other divisions of the company include IMARK Consulting, IMARK Hospitality, IMARK Technology, and IMARK Sport.
For more information, please visit the IMARK website.
