“A family company since 1948.” Not just a slogan but an identity, a history, a declaration of intent. Minotti’s ability to stay in touch with the values of its territory and those of a family unit is a rare virtue, not just a distinctive feature of the company, but also a source of energy from which to draw strength and inspiration.
The intuition and entrepreneurial vision of Alberto Minotti in 1948 can also be observed in the sons Renato and Roberto, and in the third generation now working by their side – Alessio, Alessandro, Susanna and Leonardo. A vision that has adapted to many challenges in the new millennium, ensuring the continuous evolution of the brand.
Minotti’s long history has been officially recognized by the Ministry of Economic Development, which has inserted the company in the Special Register of Historical Trademarks of National Interest. A long path punctuated by many encounters and collaborations with famous names, exponential growth on foreign markets, and above all burgeoning collections, countless and always innovative.
It’s impossible to mention them all. But we have asked architect and designer Rodolfo Dordoni, Art Director and Coordinator of the Minotti collections, who began working with the firm back in 1997, to trace his own personal timeline, through the 10 most representative products of his own design, to recap the main phases of this company.
1997, the year of Dordoni’s entry in the firm, was also the years of the debut of the Suitcase chair, with its squared, rigorous lines, softened by the use of particular materials like Crocodile print or Pony Look leather. The same sculptural approach can be seen in the Van Dyck table (2004), whose distinctive poise emerges from the base made with metal tubes in a diameter of 10 cm, welded together. That same year came another iconic product: the Hamilton sofa, a compact and essential piece that became a success in the years to come; this is also thanks to the distinctive metal base which, like a frame, defines the perimeter of the elements.
Shortly thereafter, in 2010, Dordoni proposed a new idea of classicism through the Andersen sofa, with great lightness thanks to a raised base with metal feet, created for minimal-chic modern spaces. This lightness – but in a much more sinuous way – was then to appear in the Aston seating collection, with a stated retro atmosphere, ideal for the world of hospitality, and in the Seymour sofa (respectively in 2014 and 2015), which epitomizes a feminine ideal of soft welcome and sensual elegance.
The design evolution of the company was clarified in 2016 with the debut of Freeman, a seating system that can draw on a range of elements to create “multitasking” compositions with a dynamic character. This approach grew with the outdoor collections Riviera, suggesting Mediterranean atmospheres, and Florida, which transfers the concept of the entirely covered sofa into the open air.
The latter was introduced in 2017, and then revised in 2020 with a version in teak. The year 2020 was the moment of Connery: a contemporary system with architectonic appeal that reflects the American Mid-Century spirit with the purity of its lines. Its extreme versatility can be seen in both the compositions and the choice of materials.
No less sophisticated is its character, imprinted in the evident (but light) stitching that runs along the cushioning giving a couture note to the project.
“We are proud to have reached this important milestone, for our family and our network – say the brothers Renato and Roberto Minotti, co-CEOs of the brand. – It bears witness to our constant commitment in the world of contemporary design, with an accent on excellence, creativity and authenticity.”
