Ettore Sottsass

Born in Innsbruck in 1917, he is known the world over as one of the initiators of the revolution in architecture and design which led away from the rigid functionalism of the years prior to and following the Second World War. A great and influential Maestro of Italian design, the energy of his language and the vitality of his colour and line contrast sharply with any intellectualism and rigidity.

What Alessi says about Sottsass:
"Ettore Sottsass came to Crusinallo in 1972, on Sargiani's invitation. Uncle Ettore and I met him; I was really impressed. He was preceded by the fame of his work for Olivetti, his reputation as the guru of radical design - and he was the first person of truly international standing with whom I had dealings. He is something of a philosopher, bursting with charisma, and he has something interesting to say about everything. It was with him that I began talking over the "high" topics of design, the role of industry in society. Although we meet up only once in a while - due to a certain shyness on my part, as if I was afraid of using up the relationship with him - he was the first person I met through work who for me has become a real mentor, one of my maestros."