! Editing our annual ITALIAN DESIGN ISSUE always fills me with excitement, and the challenge to cover the theme in a unique way is part of the thrill, too. This year, I travelled to Milan for with head of brand Yeong Sassall and in the spirit of , we came, we saw, we conquered. I could sit for hours and watch the old on the streets of Milan, witnessing their passionate conversations and shamelessly admiring their — which led me to purchase a Miu Miu tan suede blazer in an attempt to emulate their effortless way of dressing. Those encounters got me thinking about the men who believed in building a better life through design and architecture, and so we pay tribute to the ‘godfathers’ of Italian design — the GREATS who shaped the world with their life-changing creations. I found inspiration in the Francis Ford Coppola movie, so we took a CINEMATIC approach, from the cover story featuring a dramatic 14th-century cathedral in Orvieto (page 160), to piece (page 66), brilliantly penned by Annemarie Kiely and with art direction by Joshua Morris. As a guest of Hermès at Salone del Mobile, I had the chance to speak with artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas and attend an exquisite dinner celebrating the brand’s commitment to CRAFTSMANSHIP. On page 27, we present the MILAN report, photographed by long-time contributor Paul Barbera and curated to immerse you among the inspiring people, products and locations. This issue will launch with an evening in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency and Italian Cultural Institute, and we will be joined by architect and ambassador of Italian design Alessandro Colombo. Held at Space Furniture on June 25, the event underscores ’s respect for Italian design, and highlights will be shared on . I encourage you to indulge in this edition with pasta and glass of nebbiolo.
