A Perfect Pitch

Designer Mauro Lipparini and businessman Ottaviano Borgonovo share the reasons behind MisuraEmme’s success in international markets.

- Marc Almagro

From office and home furniture to textiles and other products, from a men’s boutique in Baku to a restaurant in Hangzhou, the works of Mr. Mauro Lipparini cross and re-cross geographical boundaries. That they are embraced as representatives of contemporary luxury is a testament to both Mr. Lipparini’s enormous talents, as well as the renown that ‘Italian style’ has reached.

A proponent of Minimalism, Mr. Lipparini graduated with a degree in architecture from Università degli Studi Firenze in 1980 – where he would later teach. After setting up his design practice, he found audiences across industries and cultures, whether he was designing a residential show unit in Kanagawa or a chocolate shop in Milan. The breadth and depth of his influence earned him accolades from peers, and top honors at international design competitions, including Young & Designer Milan in 1987, International DuPont Award Koln in 1988 and 1989, and Good Design® Global Awards in 2011.

As an international design services provider, Mr. Lipparini covers architecture and interior design for private and public residential projects, show units, retail sales outlets, and exhibition installations. As product designer, his furniture and complements are available under leading brands, and as graphic designer, his output spans corporate identity and editorial services, including production.

Among his well-known ongoing collaborations is with Italian furniture brand MisuraEmme, which encompasses a full range of home furnishings – chairs, tables, couches, wardrobes, bookcases, sideboards, and systems. They are marked with a minimalist feel expressed in simple silhouettes and neutral hues. Although contemporary, these pieces are timeless and would easily find a spot in both modern interiors and classical settings. That they also find application in corporate spaces hints at their functionality and adaptability.