from around the globe flock to the Flexform space at the Salone di Milano to get a first look at the innovations, insights, materials, colors and shapes that individualize the new collection. Second only to Milan in order of importance, the [IMM] Cologne Furniture Fair in Germany has contributed, since the 1970s, to capturing the attention of the most discerning consumers north of the Alps, one of the most substantial European markets. DESIGNERS Thanks to the powerful collaborative relationship between design and production, Flexform has successfully engaged with more than one generation of designers. Since the 1960s, the company has partnered with top design talents: Asnago-Vender, Sergio Asti, Cini Boeri, Joe Colombo, Paolo Nava, Rodolfo Bonetto, Gigi Radice, Guido Rosati, Carlo Colombo, Giulio Manzoni, Gabriele and Oscar Buratti. Nevertheless, for more than forty years, Antonio Citterio is the designer who has most contributed to writing the company’s story, creating its identity and translating its values into objects, while coordinating all of its collections. Architect, director, deus ex machina, Citterio is the designer who invests the product with a soul. His design approach begins by studying the space that encloses the objects, and the architectural context in which that space exists. From there, Citterio develops a synergistic vision of the project that encompasses everything, from large to small scale. As a designer, he has consistently conceptualized families of products rather than individual pieces. Still, today, his is the voice of a treasured stakeholder, one who consistently joins in dialog with the discriminating owners of the company, nurturing a journey of shared insights and perspectives. “Talking about my relationship with Flexform means talking about a group of friends who have shared visions and experiences. It also means talking about a big part of my life, given the fact that we have been working together for more than forty years.” - Antonio Citterio
Download PDF file