Italian luxury brand entity hosts design forum in Shanghai

Fondazione Altagamma, the Italian organization representing more than 100 Italian high-end brands across the fashion, design, jewelry, food and beverage, and lifestyle sectors, held the forum Next Design Perspectives 2021-22 on Nov 6 in Shanghai, during the China International Import Expo.

Beatrice Leanza, director of the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology in Lisbon, served as the curator of the Shanghai event, themed "Design in Flux: Emotional, Sensorial, Other-than-Human."

On-site speakers included Aldo Cibic, professor of design with Tongji University, who talked about accessible beauty; Shaway Yeh, editorial director of Modern Media, who discussed sustainable fashion; and Eric Li, founder and managing partner of Chengwei Capital, who expounded on innovation and creativity in today's China.

Other speakers including Lisa White, creative director of WGSN, and philosopher and writer Emanuele Coccia, addressed the audience by video.

Luca Ferrari, ambassador of Italy to China, and Michele Cecchi, consul general of Italy in Shanghai, gave welcome speeches.

Shanghai was the second stop for the event, which first opened in Milan on Oct 28 and will return there on March 7. This year also marks the third edition of Next Design Perspectives, after two previous runs in Italy.

During the event, Altagamma Foundation announced they will issue the Italy-China Creativity Awards to supports art and design talent from both countries.