Iconic Ideas: Danese Milano
Discover how one of Italy’s most innovative design brands became part of Artemide.
Danese Milano’s classic designs are the perfect complement to Artemide’s renowned lamps. But where did it all begin? Milan, 1957: The capital of Lombardy was enjoying a phenomenal boom. Artists and designers were flocking to the city, and Italian design had become a byword for sophisticated aesthetics and refined design. Young businesses embodied a new spirit of experimentation and possibility – much like today’s start-ups. Against this vibrant backdrop, Bruno Danese and his wife, the artist Jacqueline Vodoz, established Danese Milano.
Art and Design
From the very beginning, the company’s designs have blurred artistic boundaries, infusing objects with a sense of poetry. It is therefore no surprise that Bruno Munari and Enzo Mari were to become pillars of this approach. Their designs transformed everyday life, combining formal simplicity with whimsical sophistication. Take Enzo Mari’s 16 Animali: An interlocking zoo puzzle where the oak puzzle pieces – an elephant, a rhino, a giraffe and a hippo – are also the play figures. Or Bruno Munari’s melamine and aluminium ashtray Cubo, produced in two sizes and instantly recognisable by its cubic form. In the 1970s, Danese expanded their range to include office accessories, furniture, lamps and graphic design, staging a series of landmark design exhibitions all over the world. Enzo Mari’s Formosa calendar was the perfect addition to this: anodised aluminium with removable PVC sheets and bold typography in black or red. In 1971, the celebrated designer created what might just be the most beautiful wastepaper basket ever made. Tilted gently forwards, In Attessa almost appears to be quite literally ready, waiting for the paper.
Two Brands Come Together
The close relationship between the brands is embodied by none other than the President and CEO of Artemide, Carlotta de Bevilacqua. Appointed CEO of Danese in 1999, she brought the company closer to Artemide. Her vision sparked a new wave of innovation across the organisation, with technological progress in the field of lighting taking centre stage. At the same time, she made environmental sustainability a central aspect of product development and introduced international designers including Matali Crasset, Herzog & de Meuron and James Irvine to the Danese family.
With icons such as Falkland and Itka, the Danese Light collection has long featured in both the Danese and Artemide ranges. Designed by Bruno Munari in 1964, Falkland captivates the eye with its dynamically gathered textile diffusers, which appear to float from the ceiling like columns. Itka was the creation of Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa, a collection of ceiling, pendant, wall and table lamps, defined by their flattened diffusers in hand-blown white glass. Available in three sizes, Itka can illuminate an entire room or create intimate pools of light.
The Art of Collaboration
In 2017, Creative Director Ron Gilad shifted focus back towards private living and working spaces, creating new opportunities for collaboration and strengthening the company’s relationship with Artemide. Eight years later, the special edition Color Matt collection was to become the jewel in the company’s crown, bringing lighting and accessories together in a carefully curated palette. Danese Milano design pieces and Artemide lighting joined forces to create a unique visual impact in shades of blue, green, yellow and violet, joined in 2026 by Ruby Red. The partnership between Artemide and Danese Milano brings design culture to life, creating an inspiring and cohesive brand experience.
Today, Artemide Germany oversees the distribution of Danese Milano designs, reflecting a shared philosophy that has united the two brands for decades and placing people at the heart of high-quality design that enriches their surroundings and enhances everyday life.
