Odo Fioravanti

Odo Fioravanti (1974–) is a highly regarded Italian designer. His full name is Odoardo Fioravanti. Originally from Rome, he has been based in Milan since 1998. He studied at the Politecnico di Milano, where he later returned as a lecturer; he has also taught at prestigious institutions such as IUAV University of Venice and Domus Academy in Milan. His design approach—lean and functional—finds its fullest expression in the development of a specific furniture typology: the chair. He has designed a great many chairs, suited to a wide range of needs yet always guided by principles of simplicity and minimalism, particularly during his long and fruitful collaboration with the brand Pedrali. It was precisely a chair designed for Pedrali, the Frida model, that earned him his first Compasso d’Oro award in 2011. He has explored numerous variations on the theme of the chair in collaborations with brands such as Segis and Pianca, in addition to designing lamps for FontanaArte and beds for the brand Lispi. A sharp and charismatic personality, he has also gained a certain following on social media through his “Design Haiku” format, in which he comments—succinctly and with irony—on various aspects of the design profession. He is the partner of the renowned design journalist and communicator Chiara Alessi.