A symbol of elegant and functional design, the Costes chair, designed by Philippe Starck for Driade, marked an era and linked the French designer’s name to that of the historic Italian company founded by Enrico Astori. It was therefore natural for everyone to see Starck, forty years later, on the stage of Teatro Gerolamo to comment on the new course of Driade, recently acquired—in tandem with FontanaArte—by the group led by Federico Palazzari.
Regarding Palazzari and his approach to life and work, Starck, with his theatrical flair, perfectly at ease at the centre of the stage in the small and precious Milanese theatre, said it was Federico Palazzari who gave him the desire and courage to come back on board and resume the adventure with Driade to imagine something new. “It’s this way of doing things that creates beauty,” commented the designer. “It gives us the desire to create, to do even more. Why do a little more? There’s no real reason, but when we find ourselves before an angel that we want to please, everything becomes natural.” And he concluded brilliantly, before leaving the stage to catch the flight back to Paris: “Let’s saddle up!”
The harmony of this partnership, which has built a bridge between the past of a legendary brand like Driade and its current acquisition by the Nemo Group, projects us into a reassuring future.
The acquisition of Driade and FontanaArte takes place in a context of expansion for Nemo Group, enriching a portfolio that already includes Nemo Lighting, ILTI Luce, and Reggiani. “This morning, as I was coming here,” recounted Federico Palazzari on the same stage, “I reflected on how it all began in 2008 with a small company called Omicron Design, which no longer exists, and was the spark of the entire journey. Today, we find ourselves to be a group of companies with 300 people working together. I often wonder: how did we achieve this milestone? The answer is simple: it was made possible thanks to the contributions of all the people I work with daily.”
With these words, the CEO of the Group commented on the acquisition of the two historic companies within the Italian design landscape, with a reflection that highlighted the fact that, despite the company’s expansion, the true focus remains on people rather than the corporate structure itself. “That’s why we are relatively less focused on the idea of a group of companies, but much more on the idea of a group of people,” concluded Palazzari.
With these two new acquisitions, Nemo Group is redefining growth strategies, emphasizing a vision that surpasses traditional market logics. In a context where China has repeatedly shifted business dynamics over the past 15 years, and America and Europe continue to transform, Nemo Group pursues expansion through differentiation and strategic presence in distant markets.
Palazzari’s intent is not just commercial. More than a necessary synergy between companies, the acquisition aims to enhance internal resources, respecting the unique histories and expertise of each brand. With particular attention to the classics of Gio Ponti and Gae Aulenti from FontanaArte and innovative designers from Driade like Ron Arad and Konstantin Grcic, the operation highlights the complementarity of the various actors involved.
“The real thing that sums it all up is taking care, meaning ‘looking after,’” emphasizes Palazzari. This long-term perspective sharply deviates from the usual acquisitions aimed at immediate profit, resembling more of a marathon than a sprint. With a global network spanning cities like London, New York, and Shanghai, Nemo Group aims not only to consolidate its position but to export a new model of sustainable growth.
Embracing the role of an outsider, Nemo Group is ready to take risks and innovate, aspiring to regenerate mindsets in the design world. The challenge is open and promising: in a market that Palazzari defines as ‘non-existent,’ the group is determined to forge innovative paths and stimulate a change that could inspire the entire sector. It remains to be seen how this vision will materialize, but one thing is certain: design has found a new protagonist ready to redefine its boundaries.
