Inside Minotti: Timeless Italian Design
At Miaki we have long admired the harmonious blend of craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation that defines Minotti, one of the most renowned luxury furniture brands in Italy.
During our recent factory visit in Milan and Lake Como, where we were kindly hosted by the Minotti team, we had the privilege of conducting an exclusive interview. In this blog post, we explore the brand’s philosophy of timeless design, sustainability efforts, and their approach to luxury furniture.
Minotti Interview: Timeless Design, Sustainability, and Luxury
Minotti has long been recognized for its timeless design that seems to exist outside of trends yet remains undeniably current. What do you think is the secret to creating pieces that resonate across generations? Is there a particular era or muse that inspires your collections?
Minotti has always been a family-run business, and everything you see from beginning to end is a labour of love from the three generations. Creating pieces that will stand the test of time is essential to the brand ethos… as Alberto Minotti said himself: “Classico Oggi, Classico Domani” (Classic today, classic tomorrow).
Sustainability has become more than a buzzword; it’s a new standard for thoughtful design. But Minotti’s approach feels different, more genuine. How does this philosophy come through in the choices you make, from materials to production?
Minotti has been actioning sustainable practices long before it became a global need for brands to react to. We have always sourced everything we need locally, mostly within a 12km radius of our factory in Italy. We continue to provide furniture that stands the test of time, which in itself is sustainable, but we are also now going the extra mile with Leonardo Minotti himself being the head of sustainability for the brand and taking steps ahead of time to ensure our efforts are optimal.
Speaking of materials, Minotti is known for its distinctive selections—from rich leather to unique fabrics. Could you walk us through how you choose these materials, not only for their look and feel but for how they age and “tell a story” over time?
The materials we use must stand the test of time, both literally through use and by design. The best way we do this is by working with an exclusive partner to have our own fabric collections every year, keeping consistent with the quality but always fresh with design and colours.
There’s an art to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, and Minotti seems to achieve that balance effortlessly. Is there a particular moment in the design process where you see this synergy come to life most vividly?
The moment we see it come to life is when the design is made! But the synergy starts right at the beginning when meeting the designers we collaborate with. We pick the designers not just for their fabulous talents and eye for careful design, but because we work well together!
Minotti represents Italian design on the world stage, yet there’s a feeling that your pieces also transcend borders. How do you maintain that distinctly Italian soul while catering to an international audience?
Being Italian is very important to us, but representing the rich world of design globally is just as important. We partner with renowned designers from all over the world to collaborate on designs to really blend the Italian identity with others across the globe. Marcio Kogan, for example, is a wonderful architect we have designed with, and you can really see his brutalist Brazilian flair combined with our depth and luxury in Italian fabrics and textures, which creates a wonderful synergy. (reference to the Horizonte sofa collection)
Customization has become synonymous with luxury. With Minotti’s unmistakable style, how do you approach bespoke requests? How do you balance individual client needs with staying true to the Minotti brand?
As we have full autonomy over the production of the pieces we create, we can customise everything! We want to offer bespoke services to all our clients to add that extra level of luxury, and we can do this by way of COM fabrics, altering the dimensions, and tweaking existing designs. We always welcome custom requests whilst staying true to our identity.
There’s something about a Minotti space that feels like more than just furniture; it feels like an entire lifestyle. What do you envision as the Minotti “world”? When someone enters a space furnished with Minotti, what feeling or experience are you hoping to create?
Firstly, thank you for the compliment! We always want to make people feel something when they experience Minotti. Every year we work very hard to create new feelings through designs and collaborations—this year, with our collaboration with Giampiero Tagliaferri and Hannes Peere, we wanted the customer to feel relaxed and sexy, a perfect synergy of feminine and masculine energy. We leaned into the 70’s era, which you can see through pieces such as the Supermoon and Pattie chair. It is a very structured style but with a laid-back seat and soft fabrics.
In every industry, some pieces stand the test of time to become true icons. Are there any recent collections or pieces that you feel could be the future icons of Minotti?
I will mention the Supermoon again here as the reception we have had since launching has been phenomenal! It has also now been nominated for a design award, so I think the bold choice will pay off for years to come!
Finally, for the designers just starting their journey, what advice would you pass down from Minotti’s legacy? How can designers honor tradition while continuing to innovate?
Stay true to your identity and what you want to achieve and look for inspiration everywhere you go! Our latest collaboration with Giampiero Tagliaferri started from an Oliver Peoples shop in Milan—inspiration and opportunity can be anywhere!
Our visit to Minotti’s Milan and Lake Como locations provided an invaluable insight into the brand’s rich legacy of design, innovation, and sustainability. From their timeless craftsmanship to their dedication to creating furniture that transcends generations, Minotti continues to set the standard for luxury and style.
A special thank you again to Chloe Cozzi and Zoltan Halasz for guiding us through this remarkable journey. As we continue to draw inspiration from brands like Minotti, we’re reminded of the importance of staying true to one's roots while embracing the future—an ethos that resonates deeply with us here at Miaki.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to follow us on our journey to create interiors that are not just beautiful, but enduring.