61
For the Tollgard Italian showcase , we ’ ve intentionally curated a selection of Italian brands that have refined their language of design to present a distinct offering . The featured brands include as mentioned before Ceccotti , De Castelli and Molteni & C alongside Tacchini , Giorgetti and Agapecasa .
Are there any Italian designers / creatives that have left a lasting impression on you ?
I gave a wonderful talk in our showroom with Patrizia Moroso a few years back . We were both arguing our region ’ s ( me for Scandinavia and her for Italy ) supremacy in design post World War II and concluded that the 50s belonged to Scandinavia and the rest to Italy . Patrizia is a passionate curator of amazing design and has done so well with her family business since taking over .
Another wonderful moment was when I introduced Franco Ceccotti to an audience at the Design Centre , Chelsea Harbour . I had failed to tell everyone that Franco doesn ’ t really like speaking English , especially on the topic of design , his passion . What followed was the best lecture on the design process I have ever listed to , all in Italian , with Maria-Teresa , his loyal second in command translating where needed . I will never forget when Franco finished , he said , “ Please take me back to Cascina ( where the workshop is in Tuscany ), I miss the smell of wood from the workshop .” He rarely leaves his hometown and almost never Italy .
Tollgard ’ s Italian showcase will be on display at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour from Monday 20th September .
To find out more , please contact the Tollgard showroom team – shop @ tollgard . com
@ tollgardshowroom | @ staffantollgard