DRIADE
DRIADE Aesthetic Laboratory
Beautiful furniture for home and garden
Driade was created in 1968 thanks to the joint efforts of the founding group made up of artistic director Enrico Astori, designer Antonia Astori and Adelaide Acerbi. Today, the company creates products that are unique, eclectic, eccentric, but also elegant and timeless. Driade positions itself as an aesthetic laboratory that continuously seeks beauty to enrich the places we inhabit. Driade collaborates with dozens of designers from all over the world. The vast majority of Driade products are designed for the home, gardens and public spaces. Unique Italian goods - chairs, armchairs, sofas, tables and desks, storage, mirrors, lighting, accessories - are designed for indoor and often outdoor use. For Driade, their products are not only practical everyday objects, but also magnificent works of art.
The history of the Driade brand
The Driade aesthetic laboratory was created in 1968 thanks to the joint efforts of the founders Enrico Astori, who served as the company's creative director. From the very beginning, he defined product policy and communication with customers and the outside world. Antonia Astori is the designer and author of the entire architectural image of the company and, finally, Adelaide Acerbi, in whose hands lies the image and communication of the brand. From the very beginning, everything is based on quality, which is subordinated to creativity, an industrial policy strongly focused on innovation and the synergy of three key design elements: project planning, execution and advertising. The production of designer furniture here resembles the process of making art objects. This is Driade - a factory for art.
As early as 1968, Driade introduced the "Driade 1" container system, laying the foundations for the typical storage "container" as it is known today. The next design introduced by the company's chief designer Antonia Astori is the quiet revolution of the Oikos shelving system (1972). In its early years, Driade's history copied Italian design, reflecting the professional confidence of Giotto Stoppino and Rodolfo Bonetto, the moral revolution of Enzo Mari, the artistic and behavioral revolution of Nanda Vigo, the classical excellence of Massimo and Lello Vignelli, and the young audacity of De Pas - D'Urbino - Lomazzi.
The chair, with its chrome-plated tubular iron structure and quilted padding, was reminiscent in shape and detail of the seat of the legendary CITROEN 2 HORSES car. The inventors of the new shapes, De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi, came up with new methods of production for this "pop chair" design.
In 1973, Enzo Mari decided to realise a collection of design tables - which includes the Frate, Fratello and Cugino products still sold today. The tables with a transparent glass top on a simple steel base still have a timeless and modern feel today. These pieces have been in continuous production since 1973 and can undoubtedly be considered the most successful from the Milanese master.
There are objects that are universally recognized as icons. One such is the Costes armchair, designed in 1984 by designer Philippe Starck for the Driade brand. The chair was originally designed for the Parisian café of the same name, which has unfortunately closed its doors. The Costes chair is absolutely timeless. Composed of a dark wood hugging structure, the chair is also interesting for its base, which consists of only three legs.
Japanese designer and master architect Ito has designed some extraordinary as a designer over time. The Suki chair, designed in 1987, is one of the mysterious objects made of a double row of steel mesh separated by many springs. It is the first collection made entirely of wire mesh.
The Lou collection, which saw the light of day in 2011, the chair stands out for its organic anthropomorphic shape. The chair is completely upholstered in leather, the seams are hand-stitched. The unexpected comfort of the Lou chair is due to the perfect ergonomics of the product. The basic version of the product is followed by several other modifications. The leather armchair is a great choice as a seat for the dining room, its modification with a swivel base will in turn become the protagonist of living spaces. Designer Philippe Starck himself says of the Lou armchair: "When you sit on the Lou armchair, you are forced to raise the level of conversation, because if you don't, the armchair can look more elegant than you do.
Driade is embarking on a new strategy led by Giuseppe Di Nuccio and has tapped Fabio Novembre to take over as creative director. Fabio Novembre is a prestigious Italian designer who has been creating iconic products for Driade's collections for years at the time. Versatility and experimentation, flair and charisma characterised Fabio Novembre's style, and positioned Driade as a rebellious spirit on the global design scene. Two, natural, unique representatives of the Italian lifestyle, Giuseppe Di Nucciems and Fabio Novembre, with deep elective affinities. The 50th anniversary of Driade anticipates a future with it also brings other talents to Driade, such as Mendini, a former student of New York films, a world traveler, trend setter and lover of beauty.
Designers at the service of the brand
Here are some famous names from the world of international design who have worked with the Driade brand. The first prominent face is architect Antonia Astoria, who was at the very birth. Another prominent name, much talked about in the design world, is Enzo Mari, who has worked with leading Italian and international brands over his long career. Another icon is Nanda Vigo, and of course we cannot forget Philippe Starc, who is behind much of the design work.
A company in the world of contract
ItalianCreationGroup, under which Driade falls, with its contracts division, simply adapts to the requirements of its customers. Driade's team of specialists is at the disposal of interior designers, architects, contractors, real estate and developers for the development and implementation of the most demanding projects. Driade delivers exclusive pieces of furniture for homes, gardens and public spaces. Meeting all the requirements of a luxury project: hotel, loft, boutique, restaurant, hospitality, private villas and VIP rooms and cosmopolitan embassies, Driade products are customized according to the customer's wishes and needs. See for yourself what Driade's realisations look like.
