The Italian design industry is recognized throughout the world for its functional innovation, elegant aesthetics and stylish refinement. From textiles and industrial design to interiors and furniture, the Italian design community has been at the forefront of modern design practice for many decades and has pioneered many styles and movements, from Rationalism to Post Modernism and Late-Modern design. Fusing an in-depth understanding of materials and manufacturing with an innate sense of elegance, Italian design is the embodiment of style combined with substance. With its strong engineering focus, highly skilled craft workshops, specialized and technologically savvy factories and an intellectualized design press, Italy has provided the optimum creative climate for the development of countless pioneering design solutions. Masterpieces of Italian Design compiles the 100 most innovative designs from Italy, spanning the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and coming raight up to the present day. This major new book features the ultimate examples of Italian design, from Emilio Pucci's textile designs to Lamborghini and Ferrari sports cars, and includes pieces from Alessi, Artemide, Cassina, Ducati, Fiat, Flos, Kartell, Luceplan, Olivetti, Pagani, Riva, Venini and Zanotta. -- from dust jacket.
