It’s with great pleasure we announce that on the 14th of October, Italian designer Giulio Vinaccia will join us to discuss his work with colleague, French designer Emmanuel Babled.

Giulio and Emmanuel will talk about the mission of design today, about applying design as a tool for human development, the importance of cooperation, the impact of green inspiration and social sustainability, and about design as a journey.

The conversation will be moderated by Belgian journalist Veerle Devos. You’re most welcome to attend the talk, live or online, and to share your own thoughts and experiences.


Language: English
Capacity: 30 people*
*Upon presentation of a valid green pass.

Giulio Vinaccia used to be a product designer, working with big brands in electronics, sports equipment and lighting. One day everything changed. “On the 10th of September 2001, I found myself completely immersed in a discussion about which colour red the new Vespa helmet should be – burgundy or rather vermilion? The next day this whole discussion appeared to me as so very futile...” The 9/11 attacks changed Giulio Vinaccia’s life and work profoundly: he began his second life as a designer who creates tools for other people. His work was picked up by the United Nations, resulting in a fruitful collaboration. So much so that in 2016, Giulio Vinaccia and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) were awarded the prestigious Compasso d'Oro prize for the consistent use of industrial design as a means of driving development in over 15 countries. Even though Vinaccia’s design studio in Milan still produces product design, the main focus of his work is now ‘social design’. “Designers are specialized in finding solutions for everyday life", says Vinaccia. "We are catalysts and problem-solvers and well placed to do so since we have a foot in production, in marketing and in developing things of beauty. Today, designers increasingly design for the real world."

Over the past year Emmanuel Babled has dedicated much of his time to a new project in Tanzania - a seed that almost planted itself, as it was such an obvious and natural new chapter for him to explore. During the talk, he will present the first series developed in collaboration with the Jisamwe collective - the Mziwa chairs - a project which was presented earlier this year at Milan Design Week 2021. Over the last 30 years, Emmanuel has consistently worked in direct contact with the artisans who produce his pieces, believing this proximity to be fundamental to each of his designs. He holds local craftsmanship wherever he works in the highest regard and endeavours to preserve traditional techniques where possible, by bringing a current and conscious vision to the design of each piece.