Yesterday, in response to the rapid spread of coronavirus in Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte extended coronavirus restrictions from border to border, making the nation the first European country to announce severe statewide limits on travel. The day prior, Conte had ordered the region of Lombardy and adjoining provinces to restrict movement and social life until April 3, before modifying the edict to include the whole country.
Members of the design industry reached by AD PRO are paying close attention to rules as they undergo clarification. “The prime minister is releasing updates daily and clearly adjusting the direction based on the evolving situation,” Stefano Giussani, the New York–based partner and CEO of Lissoni & Partners New York told AD PRO via email, speaking on behalf of the company’s Milan operation. “The employees understand the directives and they are respecting them,” he added. As of yesterday, Lissoni & Partners was fully operational with employees working remotely.
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While Nadine d’Archemont, the spokesperson for Milan-based architecture and design studio Locatelli Partners, observes that “we live in a country where individual freedom makes everything difficult to renounce,” she also says her colleagues are prioritizing health and public safety above personal independence. Meanwhile, Milan-based product and installation designer Agustina Bottoni tells AD PRO, “For the last [few] weeks we have been having most meetings digitally, limiting our contact with large groups of people.” Meaning, her practice should be as prepared as possible for the current escalation in restriction of movement.
The newfound sense of gravity has slightly slowed the pace of Italy’s design business. Importantly, though, interviewees reported that their workloads so far remain unchanged. Locatelli Partners is awaiting a commission to design a stand at the recently postponed Salone del Mobile and, as of yesterday, Bottoni said that her supply chain was still accessible. In a statement shared with AD PRO today, Poltrona Frau said, “In regards to the recent Coronavirus outbreak and health protocols issued by the Italian Government, Poltrona Frau wishes to reassure all its customers, dealers, and design lovers all around the world that the company is keeping its usual production schedule.”
Christine Abbate, president of PR firm Novità, had some more poignant thoughts to share: "Our agency was initially founded close to 25 years ago to support the promotion of 'Made in Italy,' so of course this has been a difficult time for us all. We are in regular touch with our clients in Italy and they are all moving forward to keep production, shipments, and upcoming trade shows on schedule. For those working in production facilities, we have heard that companies are following strict government guidelines for safety and hygiene." Abbate adds that in the neighboring region of Emilia Romagna, Ceramics of Italy factories are running, and that the provisions introduced by Conte haven't restricted supply chain work. She notes too that the new Salone del Mobile June 16–21 dates "are fixed and the entire industry is working towards that time frame." Striking a more personal note, Abbate concluded, "I think [Italy] would appreciate knowing that their friends, colleagues, and clients in the U.S. are behind them and wishing them well. We are all in this together and we need to support each through these unprecedented times."
AD PRO’s interviewees, which included Alberto Perazza, CEO of furniture manufacturer Magis, praised Italy’s public health system, stating that they believed yesterday’s extraordinary governmental restrictions to be only temporary. If indeed the coronavirus epidemic has disastrous long-term effects on the economy or other systems, respondents added, they expressed hope that the global phenomenon could stem trends like nationalism and science denial, and unite various factions in the country.
COVID-19 was first reported in Italy in a group of towns near Milan in late January, and scientists believe the virus’s arrival may have predated that appearance by several weeks. Coronavirus has killed almost 500 people among Italy’s 9,000-plus infected patients, while the worldwide death toll from COVID-19 has topped 4,000. Roberto Gualtieri, Italy’s economy minister, has already announced a $8.54 billion stimulus package in response to the epidemic.
