Alessandro Minotti, descendant of Italy’s prestigious Minotti family, sat on the luxurious P2.5 million Lawrence sofa, his elbows resting on his knees, as he discussed with Lifestyle the heritage in Minotti’s Home Anthology 2017 collection.
Without a doubt, Italians know good design. But for the family-owned Minotti, a good design is not just a matter of shape and form. It’s also about the details—the stitching, fabric, patterns, Alessandro said.
The Lawrence seating system, for example, features graphic, square-shaped stitching that’s a reinterpretation of ancient embroidery.
Designed by the Milanese architect and designer Rodolfo Dordoni, who also designed the 2017 Anthology collection, Lawrence’s cushions are supported by a black-nickel finish metal frame that gives it the illusion of floating above the floor.
Perfectionist
Minotti has been collaborating with Dordoni for the last 20 years, Alessandro said. The Minotti heir is a stickler for perfection, especially stitching, which is why the craftsmanship behind every handmade Minotti product is impeccable.
The newly developed high-end Trump Towers at Century City in Makati has its lobby fitted with Minotti furniture.
Fashion designer Calvin Klein’s opulent home in Los Angeles, California, is fully furnished with Minotti pieces from Alessandro himself.
Minotti has been featured in movies, such as Christian Grey’s well-appointed apartment in “Fifty Shades Darker,” and the breathtaking Stockholm villa in the US version of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”
Established over 60 years ago, right after World War II, Minotti was founded by Alberto Minotti in the furniture-making region of Brianza. His sons, Roberto and Renato (Alessandro’s father) made the brand internationally recognized.
Signature style
The illusion of floating has always been a signature of Minotti furniture, as well as adaptable seating systems that allow reconfiguration.
“The clients are more and more eclectic and they want exclusive products, so these are perfectly adapted to their own houses,” Minotti said. “We started to grow our collection of fabrics, materials, and colors that perfectly match the Minotti style.”
By “we,” Alessandro meant his family and cousins, who work tirelessly at their factory in Italy to come up with concepts and products.
A brother, for instance, is so focused on fabrics that Minotti works with only four Italian suppliers to develop the products he conceptualizes. It takes one year, from concept to production, to put out a single piece of Minotti furniture.
“The secret to all these is dedication and passion,” Alessandro said. “With passion, you are able to create something more, and we like to produce nice things. Designing furniture means you have to go inside a client’s house—and that is very intimate. There are many things you have to be sensible about to know what the client needs.”
Minotti’s Home Anthology 2017 collection, consisting of over 40 new pieces, includes the low-slung and informal Lawrence “Clan,” the curved silhouettes of the retro and sophisticated Jacques, and the stunning Colette, available in indoor and outdoor versions, whose profile structure in metal is calendered, assembled and welded at more than 300 separate points.
Inspired by mid-century elegance, the Colette armchair’s external structure is sandblasted first, removing any imperfections, then galvanized before it is painted over with protective coating to give it a smooth, sleek finish.
Ferdinand Ong, general manager of Living Innovations, distributor of Minotti in the Philippines, said his displays try to guide clients.
“Our store can tell a client a story—where the living room is, where the kitchen is—as opposed to setting up a single chair highlighted by a single bulb,” Ong said. “We give them ideas so that when they come in, they say, ‘Wow, this can be in my house.’”
The 2017 Collection is at the Minotti showroom, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
