I am liking what Italian designer Rodolfo Dordoni has say about the impact of the global economic downturn on design. In a chat with Wallpaper on the occasion of the opening last month of the new Minotti flagship store in London (Dordoni is creative director), the Milanese architect was upbeat, – and apparently in no mood to mince words either – insisting the financial crunch can only have a positive impact.
“We have gone too far towards show and a type of vulgarity”, he says. “People have been too weak and spoiled and failed to develop their own style, and instead everything and everyone looks the same”. Dordoni is now looking forward to a move towards something more ‘discreet’ and ‘sobre’. ”A change in priorities should result in something less exhibitionist, more sane and tasteful’, he says.
And with all eyes starting to focus on what should be a more streamlined Milan design week in April, it’ll be interesting to see how many of Dordoni’s look-a-likes decide to stay home.
