MCM is marking half a century in style. Founded in Munich in 1976 during the city’s golden era of disco glamour and cultural experimentation, the German luxury house has chosen Milan Design Week 2026 to stage its most ambitious anniversary moment yet. The result is Disco on Mars, a three level immersive installation created in collaboration with Atelier Biagetti, running from April 21 to 26, 2026, at the Rotonda del Pellegrini in Milan.
Three Floors, Three Worlds
The installation unfolds as a spatial journey across three distinct levels, each building on the last. Visitors enter through Level 0, The Lab, where a series of limited edition objects designed by Atelier Biagetti using MCM’s signature Visetos monogram are presented within a soundscape by composer Michele Tadini. The objects named Orbit, Gravity, Mach 1, and Alphabet blend Bauhaus influenced geometry with references to space travel, setting the tone for what follows.
Level 1 is where the installation breaks open. A full roller skating rink occupies the center of the space, with a robot DJ developed in partnership with ABB controlling the music, a selection curated by Sound Metaphor DJs. Performers and visitors share the floor as choreographed interventions take place throughout the week, colliding disco culture with automation in a way that feels distinctly MCM: loud, referential, and entirely intentional.
The Diva Dome
The experience peaks at Diva Dome, the installation’s final, most intimate level, positioned under the historic dome of the Rotonda del Pellegrini. Here, soprano Laura Baldassari performs a reinterpretation of Casta Diva, reworked by Michele Tadini to blur the line between operatic tradition and constructed sound. A sculptural figure titled Avatar anchors the center of the space. Access to this level is limited, reinforcing its role as the conceptual climax of the entire experience.
50 Years, One Concept
Disco on Mars isn’t a standalone event; it’s the flagship moment of MCM’s year long #MCM50 anniversary campaign, launched in March 2026 with a redesigned logo that replaces the central laurel leaf with the Roman numerals LXXVI, referencing the brand’s birth year. The campaign spans digital content, new product drops, and global activations, but Milan is the centerpiece. The choice of Milan Design Week, rather than a traditional fashion week slot, signals MCM’s intent to position itself within the broader design and culture conversation, not just fashion.
The Products
Alongside the installation, MCM has released a curated product selection tied directly to the Disco on Mars world. Updates to the Ella Boston, Ottomar Weekender, and New Liz Shopper arrive in new Visetos variations, joined by the MCM x Nymphenburg Diamond Cup, a porcelain piece defined by clean geometric lines. The brand has also released the Cosmic Star fragrance and a Mars Mask developed in collaboration with Marcolin, extending the anniversary narrative beyond bags into accessories and product design.
From its origins as Michael Cromer Munich in 1976 to a global luxury house now present across 250 stores worldwide, MCM has always worn its roots loudly. Disco on Mars proves the brand hasn’t lost that instinct; it’s just taken it to a different atmosphere.
