Lights! Camera! Action!
The cameras were flashing all night Wednesday for Molteni&C’s Molteni Mondo: An Italian Design Story celebration, co-hosted by PALMER Editorial Director, Stefano Tonchi.
“What better time to mark our 90th year anniversary than at Art Basel, with its explosion of design, creativity, art and fashion,” offered Davide Cremese, Molteni&C’s Managing Director/Americas at the brand’s stunning two story, 7300 square foot Miami Design District showroom.
The dress code was Silver Flash and party-goers obliged, showing off gleaming looks as they enjoyed DJ Rachel Winter’s high-powered set. Even the Gio Ponti D.154.2 armchair used to photograph guests, complete with a Molteni&C film clapper, was covered in a blaze of metallic fabric.
The Rizzoli-published book by the same name, which debuted at Milan Design Week in April as a “cinematic view of the world” was also on display.
Molteni&C’s tome gives a stunning glimpse into the world of the Giussano, Italy-based headquarters, where the rigorous, precise and highly-technical furniture designs are produced. Their roster of designers includes creative director Vincent Van Duysen, the aforementioned Ponti, Michael Anastassiades and Naoto Fukasawa, among many others. Most charming in the book are shots that capture Molteni Group president, Carlo Molteni, riding his signature red bicycle around the headquarter’s industrial compound.
“The book tells the story of the company,” offered Giulia Molteni, chief marketing officer, via a statement, “it’s like being behind the scenes of Molteni’s world. The family is the backbone of the narrative, acting kind of like film directors for the past three generations to guide the development of the company.”
“For 90 years,” she added, “one thing has remained unchanged: quality. When I think about the history of our brand, passion and dedication play a key role.”
Molteni&C’s Cremese added that the diversity among the design offerings also sets them apart. “The archives from the last 90 years are so extensive and feature such variation in terms of both design and mood.” His favorites? The Gio Ponti heritage collection and the cinema chair from Naoto Fukasawa. “Two very different aesthetics,” he said.
Tonchi praised Molteni&C’s passion and commitment to their designers, most notably, when a design may seem out of reach to produce. “They are always determined to turn a designer’s dream into reality,” he offered. “They never say no to a designer, they always find a solution.”
Click through the gallery below to see more photos from the night.
