Who is Ferruccio Laviani, who brings Italian design to New York.

Dear Reader,

As Daniela Uslan, I’m excited to recommend an article about Ferruccio Laviani, a prominent figure in Italian design making waves in New York. This piece offers valuable insights into:

• Laviani’s background and rise in the design world
• His significant contributions to Kartell, a leading Italian furniture company
• The fusion of Italian aesthetics with New York’s urban landscape
• Laviani’s innovative approach to lighting and furniture design

Key facts:
– Born in 1960 in Cremona, Italy
– Graduated from the Politecnico di Milano in 1986
– Art Director for Kartell since 1991
– Collaborated with brands like Foscarini and Dolce & Gabbana

Laviani’s work exemplifies the enduring influence of Italian design on the global stage. His ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics has earned him recognition in both Europe and America.

This article provides a comprehensive look at Laviani’s career and his impact on the design world, making it a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary furniture and lighting design..

The bustling city of New York has always been home to great art exhibitions from every corner of the globe: this time it is Italy’s turn, thanks to the valuable contribution of Ferruccio Laviani. The Cremonese architect curated the installation Italian Design: from Classic to Contemporary, presented at Bloomingdale’s department store in the Big Apple. A touch of history tracing Italian design, with a project inspired by Giorgio De Chirico.

The exhibition Italian Design in New York.

Inspiration comes from Italy Square, the famous painting created by Giorgio De Chirico in the 1950s: a symbol of our country that has now become iconic, which is why Ferruccio Laviani – author of the installation – chose this very proposal among the many others that were presented for the occasion. And so, Italian Design brings to the stage the square, as an element of union and socialization: “The square is part of the Latin culture, De Chirico’s representation, in addition to the metaphysical and the dreamlike, is certainly something that is part of our DNA anyway and, perhaps, is what we find it easier to represent”-the architect said.

The exhibition was set up at the Bloomingdale’s department store in New York City., thanks to the collaboration of the Salone del Mobile in Milan. It will remain open to the public from September 5 to 29, 2024, and during these same weeks it will be possible to attend a talk series entitled Conversations about Italian Design, curated by Annalisa Rosso of the Salone del Mobile. These are a number of events aimed at reflecting “on the meaning and future of Made in Italy design and production and the selection of furniture on display.”

And in this regard, what will we be able to see at the installation? Ferruccio Laviani himself reveals: “We have chosen a quite scenographic project that was easy for everyone to understand, even those who do not necessarily speak or deal with design. […] We used natural materials such as wood, which is also a bit of the DNA of most Italian furniture makers and, to some extent, of Salone del Mobile members. We made a small selection of products more or less recognizable of what is Italian production in the field, some historical, some contemporary.”

Who is Ferruccio Laviani: career

At this point, curiosity is high: who is Ferruccio Laviani, who curated the Italian Design installation in New York? His is a name that, in the field, has great international relevance. Born in 1960 in Cremona, he graduated from the International Professional Institute for Violin and Wood Crafts in his hometown, then moved to Milan to broaden his horizons. It was here that he graduated from SPD, Scuola Politecnica di Design led by Nino Di Salvatore, before devoting himself to university studies. La degree in Architecture, earned from the Milan Polytechnic in 1987, is the culmination of his academic journey.

Ferruccio Laviani then began collaborating with a number of big names in the industry, including Michele De Lucchi: after being his partner for a few years, he opened his own design studio in 1991, which is still going strong today. The architect is the author of numerous design and graphic projects, carried out at commercial spaces, installations, offices and residential housing. In addition, he has devoted his talents to the production of design objects with iconic appeal, such as some of Kartell’s most famous lamps. Also important was his collaboration with Achille Castiglioni in the design of the exhibition dedicated to Gio Ponti and Vico Magistretti. at the Milan Furniture Fair in 1997.