GIOVANNI MOLTENI

CORPORATE MANAGER OF HERITAGE ITALIAN FURNITURE BRAND MOLTENI & C.

byIsabelle Tow

CORPORATE MANAGER OF HERITAGE ITALIAN FURNITURE BRAND MOLTENI & C.

<b>photos</b> MOLTENI & C & P5

Angelo Molteni founded his namesake artisan furniture workshop in provincial Italy 83 years ago, and it quickly became synonymous with high-quality furniture.

Eventually evolving into the company it is known today, the family-run Molteni Group recently reached another milestone in its esteemed history. Partnering with local luxury furniture retailer P5, it launched a flagship store for its furniture and kitchen brands, Molteni & C and Dada Kitchens. We met Angelo’s grandson, Molteni & C corporate manager Giovanni Molteni, to find out more about the recent launch.

ABOVE

Giovanni Molteni with his father Carlo, CEO of Molteni & C and Dada.

LEFT

The D.156.3 armchair designed by Gio Ponti.

FAR LEFT

The Sloane is a modular sofa that comes in six components.

What are the core values of Molteni & C?

First and foremost would be our commitment to creating products of high quality. Also, great design is another key element, because when we make our products, we are not simply making furniture, but creating pieces of design.

Many of our collections are produced in partnership with renowned designers and architects such as Norman Foster, Jean Nouvel, and Gio Ponti for our Heritage Collection – these collaborations can attest to our dedication to exceptionally designed products.

Who is the Molteni & C customer?

Our designs suit the high-end customer.

But this is not simply referring to customers from a high income bracket, but extends to those who love sophisticated design, such as design by Gio Ponti. We are selling an atmosphere, the modern lifestyle – the big picture, not just the object.

Why did the company decide to open a flagship store in Singapore?

We had been looking for some years for the right partner, because we are based in Italy and cannot be physically present at each of our stores worldwide.

It is important that you not only have a company that sells your products, but also understands your philosophy, your core values – your soul. After the first meeting with P5, I had a feeling that it was the right partner for the Singapore flagship store.

How do you think your brand’s furniture can accommodate the compact apartments and flats that most Singaporeans live in?

Our wardrobe and kitchen systems can be adapted by the centimetre to the available space and layout, meaning they are customisable to the exact dimensions, so it is not a problem. We have a flagship store in Tokyo, too, where the apartments are famously tiny, and we have been doing well in that market.