Italian Design Classic: Campari Soda ‘cone’ bottle

Campari Soda Bottle Lamp shade

Following a recent chat with design writer Michaela (www.pargy.co.uk) in which we discussed the Italian Futurist movement, I thought I would use this article to take a look at an iconic example of Italian design by Futurist member Fortunato Depero: the Campari Soda ‘cone’ bottle. Depero expressed his creativity in many forms; as a writer, […]

YoungDesigner: Showcasing Italian Design Talent

Totem breakfast set cups by River-Design

Time for another look into the shapely world of Italian Design.  This time round, I’m going to take a  look at the YoungDesigner Italian design initiative, which, as you probably guessed from the name is all about promoting Italian designers – but only those who are 35 and under. YoungDesigner helps showcase emerging design talent from […]

Italian Design Feature: Up and Coming Italian Designers – Part 2

Boccia

In this, the second part of my series on up and coming Italian designers, I am going to tell you about some more talented, but lesser known designers. The designers in question have been producing interesting work both independently and with some of the giants of Italian design, as you will discover. Maddalena Casadei Maddalena […]

Italian Design Feature: Up and Coming Italian Designers

Studioklass Folding Sunglasses

In this edition of my regular look at the world of Italian Design, I want show off the work of a few less well known Italian designers who are managing to make their mark within various design circles. The Salone de Mobile which took place in Milan over a few days in April gave a […]

Design classic: Artemide Tolomeo lamp

In this edition I would like to tell you something about the design classic that is the Tolomeo lamp.
 It was designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina in 1986 for the Artemide company and is considered by many to 
be an icon of modern Italian design. Technically it’s a real triumph of perseverance […]

The Ferrari of the Skies – Piaggio P 180 II Avanti Aircraft

Piaggio p180 Avanti 2 Aircraft

Why am I writing about an aircraft, of all things?  Simple, it’s produced by an Italian company, and it’s innovative, green, and like so many Italian products, this aeroplane is a shining example of Italian design. And there’s been a lot about Italian design on Italy Chronicles recently. The aircraft and example of innovative Italian […]

Highlights from Milan’s Salone del Mobile 2011 – Part 2

Marie Coquine chandelier for Baccarat by Starck

Here, as promised, is part two of this look at some of the highlights the 50th anniversary edition of Milan’s 2011 Salone Del Mobile design and furniture fair. On to more highlights, plus photographs and videos too. Philipe Starck has designed many new products for various design houses, as always employing his signature quirky style. […]

Highlights from Milan’s Salone del Mobile 2011 – Part 1

Fiat 500 seating by Meritalia

Another year, another jam packed design offering from Milan, where the 2011 International Salone del Mobile furniture and design fair was celebrating its 50th year. With more visitors than ever, the event grows annually and Milan becomes a fusion of colour with many areas of the city offering their own mini-event offshoots. It takes something […]

Milan furniture fair Proves Popular

MoonChair

Milan’s annual furniture and design fair, now in it’s 50th year is proving a popular as ever according to an article on yesterday’s Guardian web site. The Salone Internazionale del Mobile fair has even filled Italy’s underground railway with lots of non-Italian visitors, as noted by one of my students at Il Sole 24 Ore’s […]