Driade

Driade, named after the tree nymphs of Greek mythology, was one of the first Italian furniture companies to look to the whole world. More than a furniture catalogue, for decades it was a kind of laboratory where designers from different countries and generations could experiment with unusual forms and materials.

The Astoris

Driade was founded in 1968 by Enrico Astori, who guided its choices for decades, together with the architect Antonia Astori. Antonia designed the modular systems of storage units and bookcases that characterised the company's early years. In 1977 she created the Bric system with Enzo Mari: modular furniture sold in kit form, to be planned and assembled by the buyer.

Enzo Mari and the 1970s

Mari was one of Driade's most important designers. In 1979 his Delfina chair, in metal rod with a fabric seat and back, won the Compasso d'Oro. In the same years Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi, the designers of the inflatable Blow chair for Zanotta, also worked for the company.

Starck and designers from around the world

In the 1980s, under Enrico Astori's direction, Driade became one of the most international companies in Italian design. In 1985 the young Philippe Starck arrived, bringing the three-legged Costes chair (1984), created for the Café Costes in Paris. The Czech designer Bořek Šípek, the Japanese architect Toyo Ito, Ron Arad, Alessandro Mendini and Achille Castiglioni also worked for Driade. In 1995 came Driadestore, a more affordable collection of objects and furniture aimed at a young public. In 2008 the company received another Compasso d'Oro for its innovative use of rotational moulding in plastic.

Driade today

In 2013 Driade was acquired by Italian Creation Group, and in 2019 the designer Fabio Novembre became its art director. At the end of 2024 it joined the NEMO group, together with the historic lighting brand FontanaArte.

Sources

• Wikipedia – Driade (it)
• Wikipedia – Design italiano (it)
• Wikipedia – Enzo Mari (it)