
The activities belong to an initiative of the Italian Ministry of ForeignAffairs and International Cooperation, Italian Design Day celebrates the worldwideacknowledged leadership of “Made in Italy”.
In 100 locations around the world, 100 “ambassadors” of Italian culture(designers, entrepreneurs, journalists and critics, as well as communicatorsand teachers) participate in a panel discussion on Italian design’s uniqueblend of factors, both material and immaterial, which have retained theirdistinctive features through the centuries despite a major overhaul bycommunication and mobility systems; creativity and originality, top-qualitymaterials, and superb construction, as well as production processes thatrespect the environment, workers and end users; and the highest qualitypackaging and advertising.
In Hanoi, an iconographic exhibition on design, industry and architecture,titled “50 1 The Great Industry Game”, is held at Casa Italia, 18 Le Phung Hieustreet, from March 2.
The exhibition features a journey back in time through iconic items that shaped– along with “Made in Italy” as people know today – costume, history, economyand the way of life of Italian society.
A workshop on fashion was conducted at Casa Italia on March 2, withparticipants from various noted Vietnamese designer brands as well as ItalianDesign Day’s ambassador to Hanoi Barbara Trebitsch, former head of fashionschool “Domus Academy” in Milan -- prime school of specialisation in the fieldsof design, fashion and architecture.
On March 3, a conference at the National University of Civil Engineering willconstitute a second initiative aimed at exploring partnerships and joint initiativesin the format of a panel discussion chaired by Italian Ambassador CeciliaPiccioni. It will mainly focus on fashion, architecture and industrial design.The conference will be attended by the Barbara Trebitsch, representatives ofItalian iconic brands, Vietnamese academics and the most outstanding names inthe field of design.
In HCM City, an exhibition titled “The Art of Life”, featuring the mostimportant designs by Italian brands in the fields of home decor, motorbikes,cars and chairs made in Italy in the 20th and 21st centuries, is being held.The exhibition will be on at HCM City Architecture University between March 2and 4 and entry is free.
“The day opens a series of events themed"Living in Italian Style in 2007" initiated by the Italian Ministryof Foreign Affairs,” ambassador Cecilia Piccioni said.
“Co-operation between the two countries in the field of fashion has beenstrengthened for many years. The move is another effort by the Italiangovernment to boost the relation.”
Trebitsch said her mission hereincludes meeting and exchanging experiences with Vietnamese designers to seekfurther co-ordination between the two nations.
“I hope to discuss things not only in the fashion field, but also ways ofthinking and the philosophy of Italians,” Trebitsch said, “I know no othercountry has organised a similar event.”
Following the successful 21st Milan TriennialExhibition, this day is a special initiative launched by the Italian Ministryof Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to promote contemporaryItalian design in the world with events in over 100 cities, with theparticipation of important Italian architects, business leaders, critics,academics and designers "under 35" to illustrate the history and newtrends the Italian design sector has to offer.-VNA
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