Five things we learnt at Peroni’s first Made in Italy talk at the Design Museum

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Our stylist Jenny went to the first of the Made in Italy talks at the Design Museum earlier this week, where James Irvine, Piero Lissoni and Claudio Silvestrin discussed the influence of Italian design on the industry and the difference between it and British design. Here is what she learnt:

1. The importance of having good shoes as a foreigner in Italy. They particularly like the brand Church and are impressed by pristine shoes on first impression.

2. The fact that you should never order a cappuccino after 11.15am in Italy unless you want to embarrass yourself.

3.  Apparently – and take note, all you budding UK designers – the main difference between Italian and UK and US design is the passion. Italian designers, it seems, get really, genuinely excited to talk to someone with an opinion about a product – do they love the table or not?  Do they want to make the table or not?  Apparently they get frustrated with the US in particular as no one can make a decision.

4. The importance of a good aperitivo.

5. Italian designs still remain hard to buy. The websites are only in Italian, they are not stocked in easily accessible shops – they’re too niche, too reserved for the Italians and not available to a wider audience.

Do you agree?

Should Italian designs become more widespread and accessible, or should they be protected from the mass market retain their exclusivity and originality?

Let’s continue the debate! Post a comment below and let us know your opinion – on shoes, cappuccinos or indeed Italian furniture.

Visit the Design Museum website for information on the next Made in Italy talks.