DESIGN WEEK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Materially
Anna Pellizzari is Executive Director of Materially, a material innovation consulting firm, and Italian partner of Material ConneXion. She has over 25 years of experience in the study of materials, with a particular focus on sustainability issues. She gained experience through short courses at Domus Academy in Milan, Central St Martins in London, FIT - Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Moreover, has collaborated with many companies from different industries. Finally, she also has given lectures and conferences at Politecnico di Milano, Naba, Domus Academy, Elisava Design School, SADI Samsung Art & Design Institute, IED, La Sapienza, ALTIS, 24Ore Business School.
Job Titles:
- Designer from Milan
- Designer of the Year at Ambiente 2024
Elena Salmistraro, a designer from Milan, is the Designer of the Year at Ambiente 2024.
Product designer and artist born and based in Italy, Elena Salmistraro has been permanently on the list of the 100 most important design personalities of AD Italy, Germany, and France, and Marie Claire Maison for years.
In 2022, she won the Frame Design Award as "Best Designer," and in 2023, Forbes magazine included Elena Salmistraro in its list of 100 successful Italian women.
Elena Salmistraro (photo from Elena Salmistraro website)
After the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, Elena Salmistraro graduated from the Milan Polytechnic in Fashion Design in 2003 and Industrial Design in 2008. In 2009, she founded her professional studio, together with architect Angelo Stoli. The studio focuses on architecture, design, fashion, illustration, and all the visual arts.
Elena Salmistraro has already worked with many big-name international brands, including Disney, Steinway, Apple, Vitra, Nike, Timberland, Ikea, Huawei, Microsoft, Moooi, Scarlet Splendour, Petit Bateau, Moooi Carpets, Tai Ping, La Manufacture Paris, Leblon Delienne, and Houtique. Among the Italian companies, we can mention Alessi, Cappellini, Florim, Cedit, Natuzzi, Bosa, De Castelli, Cc-Tapis, Marella, Lavazza, Driade, Technogym, Replay, Ceramica Flaminia, Cinelli, Alcantara, to name a few. In addition, the designer collaborates with prestigious art and design galleries such as Rossana Orlandi, Antonio Colombo Gallery, Duson Gallery in Seoul, Dilmos, Camp Design Gallery, InterArt Channel, SecondoMe, My Own Gallery, Punta Conterie, and Subalterno1.
To celebrate her nomination as Designer of the Year 2024 at Ambiente, Elena Salmistraro designed The Lounge. We all know these public spaces in hotels or airports: hybrid but fluid meeting spaces, places of transition. When traveling, lounges are places to stop for a short time. You read or work, eat, drink, and spend time in a pleasant environment designed beyond functionality. In short, lounges are curated, multifunctional living spaces, and they will become even more important in the future in our dynamic society with hybrid lifestyles and spaces.
Job Titles:
- Designer of the Year at Maison & Objet 2024