Last Wednesday, August 6 at Aerial in South Wharf, the exhibition Style Synergy – Melbourne & Milan in Conversation represented a further sign of the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening the bond between the two cities, which have now been ‘twin cities’ for over a decade.
In collaboration with the City of Melbourne, Global Victoria, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce and RMIT University, and with Lamborghini Melbourne as the main sponsor, the evening at Aerial began with an engaging conversation.
Following the introduction by Secretary General Veronica Misciattelli, several key figures from Melbourne’s art, design, creative and industrial scene took part: Ian Wong, senior lecturer at Monash University; Dan Treacy, head of design at Rakumba Lighting; Denni Francisco, creative director and founder of Ngali; Josh Deane, artist and designer of the By Josh Deane brand; Anthony Pecora, general manager (business development) of beauty at Myer; and Barry Moore, managing director of La Marzocco Australia.
In the room next to where the discussion was held, a space was set up for dozens of exhibitors from various sectors including design, fashion, furniture, food and wine, and craftsmanship.
The exhibition route allowed visitors to directly engage with products, materials and projects, each telling in its own way the story of Italian creativity and its contemporary expressions.
Among the exhibitors, the spaces presented by members of the Collettivo Italiano aroused much curiosity and interest. This association brings together Italian and Italian-Australian professionals active in Australia in the fields of design, architecture, engineering and construction.
Their presence offered concrete testimony of the contribution of professionals from the Italian community to the Australian creative landscape, highlighting the value of international collaboration and the importance of keeping the dialogue alive between Milan and Melbourne - and more broadly between Italy and Australia.
This continued dialogue is important not only in the context of design, but also as laboratories of innovation and shared ideas.
