The Ties That Bind

Mario Andrea Vattani, the ambassador of Italy to Singapore, has ambitious designs to bridge both countries – starting with FIND – Design Fair Asia, which he tells us is a perfect match.

- Joel Chua

Diplomacy was never really much of a choice for Mario Andrea Vattani. Born and raised in a family of diplomats – both his grandfather and father served as one – it was only a matter of time before Vattani would likewise take up the mantle. In fact, his uncle Alessandro Vattani once hosted the late Lee Kuan Yew in Italy, during his time as ambassador here in the 1980s – a rather serendipitous bit of history, now that things have come full circle with Vattani’s recent appointment as the ambassador of Italy to Singapore.

Naturally, his first order of business lies in further strengthening the relationship between the two. An outcome he hopes will be achieved at the inaugural edition of FIND (Furniture, Interiors and Design) – Design Fair Asia – organised by dmg events and Fiera Milano in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board, the Embassy of Italy to Singapore and Design-Singapore Council. Set to take place during Singapore Design Week in September, the fair promises to showcase the best of Italian design, bringing together leading design brands, designers and galleries from across Asia and beyond.