VOLUME 1
Summer 2020

GIULIA
MOLTENI
DESIGN FOR LIFE
From Italy to the United States and back, the third- generation family business member describes how to adapt at a time of change.

Giulia Molteni – Head of Marketing & Communication, Molteni Group. Courtesy Molteni Group

YOU SPENT A NUMBER OF YEARS IN NEW YORK IN THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER. WHAT WAS THE MOST PRECIOUS EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAD THERE?

New York is a place that forces you to dare and put yourself to the test. It is a place of exchange of cultures and ideas, a creative and stimulating hub. I spent four years in the United States at Loro Piana, which was then a Piedmontese family business.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE VALUES OF A FAMILY-RUN ENTERPRISE TODAY?

Having a family business takes so much out of you, but it is also very rewarding. Family-owned companies have the ability to make decisions quickly, change plans and adapt productions and strategies to the new demands of the market, while maintaining a long-term perspective. The Molteni Group is now in its third generation, and quality has always been the key to our growth.

“Family-owned companies have the ability to make decisions quickly, change plans and adapt productions and strategies to the new demands of the market.”

Giulia Molteni Head of Marketing & Communication, Molteni Group

WHAT DOES BALANCE MEAN TODAY?

Balance is a tricky word and a very personal concept nowadays. I think that you have found balance in your life when you feel accomplished while doing whatever makes you happy. In the home environment, balance works more like an ecosystem so, for us, it’s not just about producing a design, but about creating a rounded lifestyle that Italy is famous for.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A LEADER?

Leaders need to develop new skills and have a clear vision despite the uncertainty they have to manage. Being able to take bold decisions as well as quickly adapt to the constantly evolving scenarios are key to success.

Dada Ratio, Kitchen Design by Vincent Van Duysen | Half A Square, Table Design by Michael Anastassiades | Devon Chair Design, by Rodolfo Dordoni. Courtesy Molteni Group

WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE DESIGN WORLD?

I’d like to see women in important positions. The workplace should allow them to balance career and family, instead of having to choose just one. In this respect, there is much to be desired in Italy, but what we have been able to see is that hybrid working can be productive and results are not limited to the number of hours spent at the office.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET INTO THE LUXURY FURNITURE INDUSTRY?

They need to have a great passion for quality. It is what transcends time and distinguishes Italian-made furniture. Hard work is also important. It is something that my father taught me, but you also have to have the ability to innovate. As one of the handful of companies that guarantee a complete production cycle, we have more and more sustainable initiatives, including completely biodegradable filling material and a new fabric that is made of 100 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Giulia Molteni says that domestic architecture is like a constantly changing dialogue. Each piece of contemporary furniture has a voice that contributes to and redefines our eclectic, cosmopolitan and international lifestyle.

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