Cover President and CEO of Molteni Group, Carlo Molteni with his family and the iconic red bicycle (Photo: Courtesy of Modernbrands)
President and CEO of Molteni Group, Carlo Molteni with his family and the iconic red bicycle (Photo: Courtesy of Modernbrands)
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With a legacy spanning nearly a century, explore Molteni&C’s most iconic furniture and decorated designers through the book Molteni Mondo
The rich and interesting history of Molteni&C, a revered brand in furniture, is immortalised in the book Molteni Mondo. It began in 1934 in Giussano, Italy, where its founder, Angelo Molteni, would simply ride a bicycle every morning to check on his factory, which then employed more than 60. Nearly a century later, Molteni&C has etched a name in excellence and innovation.
Today, Molteni Mondo celebrates this heritage with images of the founder’s son Carlo and his family, who currently oversee the company. They were photographed by Jeff Burton in a movie studio-inspired set. Molteni&C’s partners also come to life in the book’s artistic pages. Included are the brand’s key proponents and venerated collaborators Vincent Van Duysen, Ron Gilad, Jacques Herzog, Jasper Morrison, Tobia Scarpa and Patricia Urquiola.
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Above The ‘Intersection’ kitchen concept by Molteni&C's art director, Vincent Van Duysen (Photo: Courtesy of Modernbrands)
The ‘Intersection’ kitchen concept by Molteni&C's art director, Vincent Van Duysen (Photo: Courtesy of Modernbrands)
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An acknowledged revolutionary in its industry, Molteni&C made great strides in modernising its furniture in 1968. Leading the way were designers Tito Agnoli, Angelo Mangiarotti and Luca Meda with pieces such as the Modulo3 desk. In the Seventies, Meda led the launch of renowned Italian kitchen brand Dada under the Molteni&C world.
“My father Carlo always tells me about the time, in the Nineties when Jean Nouvel—who at the time was designing the Fondation Cartier in Paris—knocked on his brother Piero’s door with the idea of the ‘Less’ table,” Molteni&C Chief Marketing Officer Giula Molteni shared. “In his hand he had a sheet of paper supported by four bamboo sticks; he wanted a very thin steel top for an essential, archetypal table, capable of dialoguing with the facade of the architecture facing boulevard Raspail.” This ‘Less’ table would go on to win the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award, a testament to the company’s visionary style that was impeccably ahead of its time.
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Above The Molteni Museum at Molteni&C’s Giussano compound, which houses the company's significant pieces and mementos (Photo: Courtesy of Modernbrands)
The Molteni Museum at Molteni&C’s Giussano compound, which houses the company's significant pieces and mementos (Photo: Courtesy of Modernbrands)
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To celebrate Molteni&C’s 80th anniversary in 2015, the Molteni Museum was built in the company’s Giussano compound. Curated by Gilad, the museum is filled with photographs and significant pieces that shaped the company to what it is today: an industry leader and a fine example of quality craftsmanship. A year after the museum’s opening, the architect Van Duysen, a long-time collaborator of the company, took the reins as art director. He brought to the company his own creative vision; and his designs, such as the “Intersection” and “VVD” kitchen concepts won international acclaim. Likewise, his Gliss Master wardrobe closet earned accolades as the best furniture system by an esteemed international panel of judges.
Molteni&C is a brilliant mosaic of all the designers it has collaborated with over the past 90 years. Its pieces have dictated trends, attracted accolades and transformed houses into lifelong homes. As Carlo and his family pose for a photo, they remind the readers of Molteni Mondo and their patrons about how it all began: with their founder riding his bicycle down the streets of Giussano.
Discover more about Molteni&C via modernbrandsinc.com.
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About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
