Osvaldo Borsani, The Innovator

He played a key role in the story of The Socialite Family. The first retrospective dedicated to the life and work of Osvaldo Borsani, nicknamed ‘The American’ in reference to his innovative ideas, will be held at the Triennale Design Museum from the 15th May. This is a must-see event if you are lucky enough to visit Milan over the next few months. Osvaldo Borsani was very much raised in the artistic tradition. He studied at the Accademia di Brera and then the Politecnico di Milano where he graduated with a degree in architecture in 1936. Working closely with the Atelier Varedo, the family cabinetry business run by his father, Osvaldo Borsani cultivated the highly technological approach to furniture design for which he is now famous. Collaborations with the greatest Milanese artists – from Lucio Fontana to Gio Pomodoro – followed and Osvaldo Borsani felt the tide turning in his favour. In 1953, he founded TECNO with his twin brother Fulgencio and began his unstoppable rise to stardom. Design classic after design classic was born: the P40 reclining chair, the D70 sofa with 20 different configurations and the P32 armchair with its distinctive swivel feature that returned automatically to its original position. A visionary, Osvaldo Borsani recognised the importance of his inner circle. Inseparable from the family with whom he undertook his greatest ventures – including the Villa Borsani which will be open to the public during the Salone del Mobile under the watchful eye of his grandson, Tommaso Fantoni – the maestro could also rely on his faithful friends who, just like architect Eugenio Gerli, would help him make history. On the biggest names in Italian design.

Villa Borsani, via Umberto 1 – 148, Varedo. Open daily, 16-20 April, between 10 am – 5 pm. The exhibition at the Triennale Design Museum will open its doors from May 15 to September 15 in Emilio Alemagna 6 in Milan.