One person who knows about that is Claudio Bellini. The charming Italian has designed for Poltrona, for de Sede, Thonet and also for Walter Knoll. His speciality? Chairs, what else? The native from Milan was born with a significant part of his expertise – he is the son of Mario Bellini, one of the all-time greats of Italian design. Mario designed for Cassina and made things happen for Vitra, B&B Italia, Flou and countless others.

It is obvious what they’re thinking up and devising at Claudio Bellini’s design studio Bellini Design+ Design in the picturesque Milanese Naviglio: simply elegant contemporary design. Furniture, lighting, office fitting; the industrial designer even occupies himself with pots and pans, as Bellini has been Art Director at the Italian kitchen professionals Barazzoni since 2003. His activities also encompass interior projects all over the world. This includes lecturing in design at the University of Genoa.

The friendly designer seems to have a special preference for German companies. After Gio, a chair that he fashioned from one material only from top to bottom, he has now delivered his second bestseller design to Walter Knoll. In 2013 the designer and manufacturer reaped three high-ranking awards for his latest coup, the

Liz chair model: the Design Prize Germany, the Red Dot and the Best of the Best Interior Innovation Award

No wonder, as the fabric, the seat and the back surface of Liz were originally developed for aviation. Bellini’s works are characterised by the use of new technologies. Under his leadership they take on a whole new form. This applies to the development of new office furniture as much as to the development of a concept car for Fiat, the so-called Fiat Auto Spa. On the subject of cars: What is more important to Bellini personally: Italian style or German technology? The quiet star unfortunately still owes us an answer ... It doesn’t matter, we still look forward to his next projects.

Photos: © Barbara Benz