up-and-coming italian design

The packaging is as important as the product for Chiara Mulas.

Here are more examples of her work.

Another Chiara design - so simple but so effective.

Alessi without the kitsch: designs by Silvana Angeletti and Daniele Ruzza.

The modernity of Italian design always amazes me given the country's heritage. You know, the renaissance, baroque, etc. But Italians never seem to do anything half-hearted, so perhaps that's the reason behind this fervour of sleek lines and shiny surfaces. Recently Italian design was on display in Sydney as part of the Lazio Lifestyle in Australia event. For those of you who don't know - and I'm ashamed to admit I didn't before this month - Lazio is the home state of Rome. It was was presented by The Italian Trade Commission, Regione Lazio, Sviluppo Lazio with the support of ALTA ROMA, ADI (Industrial Design Association) and Oro di Roma to promote fashion, design and jewellery from the region. Bravo!

Photos courtesy of Lazio Lifestyle in Australia.