Must-see food, fashion and design highlights from the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics

The 2026 Olympic Games are just underway, but there’s already been plenty for spectators and athletes alike to experience, admire and enjoy outside of the competitions. And with Milan being a global fashion capital and home to the widely regarded annual Salone del Mobile design fair, it’s no wonder that many of the highlights are absolute must-sees.

Beyond the fashion statements spotted on the opening ceremony red carpet and in the streets, there’s been a runway show, high-profile design exhibitions and even a viral lava cake. 

Here are the noteworthy design, fashion and food highlights from this year’s Winter Games — so far! 

The official uniforms by Salomon

The 25,000-plus staff and volunteers for this year’s Winter Games are wearing stylish uniforms created in collaboration with Salomon, an activewear brand founded in the French Alps in 1947. Designed for both city and mountain activities, the functional kit includes everything from insulated jackets and versatile mid-layers to Gore-Tex hiking boots. 

An Olympic fashion showcase

For the first time, a Winter Olympics runway show was held in Milan just before the start of the Games. Olympians from a handful of nations walked the catwalk in performance wear, opening ceremony outfits and even designs by local students.

Leonardo da Vinci–inspired cauldrons

With two host cities this year, the Games saw two Olympic cauldrons lit, and these were impressive in their construction too. Made with lightweight aeronautical aluminum, the intricate, 13.5-tonne designs were inspired by the knot patterns of Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci.

A new viral Olympic Village dessert

During the 2024 Paris Olympics, chocolate muffins served in the Olympic Village by French company Coup de Pates went viral on TikTok. In Milan, athletes including Canadians Courtney Sarault and Natalie Spooner are praising the chocolate lava cake on the menu. Expect countless “make-it-at-home” recipes to be published soon.

A limited-edition pasta

For Milano Cortina 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) developed a novelty, produced-in-Italy pasta in the shape of the five Olympic rings. Sadly, it’s not for sale, but a limited number of boxes will be given away through digital activations by the IOC. 

Fashionable experiences

In between sporting competitions, fashion-lovers can find plenty of eye candy and designer experiences in Milan this month. Omega House Milano — drenched in the official timekeeper’s signature scarlet — includes a café, restaurant and lounge; high-end performance clothier Moncler Grenoble has set up a temporary exhibition inside a hotel courtyard with a focus on innovation in winter gear; and at Triennale Milano, a free exhibit looks at “the relationship between sports, design, and innovation” — and how climate change stands to change everything.