L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano S ay the title out loud and every Italian will think immedi- a t e l y a b o u t t h e popular advertise- m e n t c a m p a i g n s f r o m t h e 1980s and 1990s, that saw Raffaella Carrà first and then L o r e l l a C u c c a r i n i s u p p o r t Scavolini kitchens on TV. Iconic! Scavolini's journey, howev- er, started much earlier, from a small artisan workshop in Pesaro that led the company to become a global icon of Italian design excellence. Established in 1961 by Valter and Elvino Scavolini, the company ini- tially set its sights on kitchen f u r n i t u r e , e m b e d d i n g t h e kitchen's central role in the home as a hub of warmth, cre- ativity, and family life into its core philosophy. From its inception, Scavoli- ni was dedicated to a trifecta of values: quality, innova- t i o n , a n d d i s t i n c t i v e design. In its early years, Scavolini introduced modular kitchens to the Italian market, a move that not only met the changing needs of modern households for flexibility and efficiency but also set new i n d u s t r y b e n c h m a r k s f o r kitchen design and functional- ity. The decades of the 1970s and 1980s marked significant growth and strategic branding f o r S c a v o l i n i : t h e b r a n d expanded abroad, getting the global market's attention with its emblematic Italian crafts- manship. Scavolini's interna- tional reach was facilitated through a growing network of dealers and showrooms, mak- ing Italian design excellence accessible worldwide. A key to Scavolini's success during this time was its innovative mar- keting strategies, which included high-profile endorse- m e n t s ( r e a d a b o v e ! ) a n d media leverages that were v e r y m u c h a h e a d o f t h e i r time. The 1990s ushered in a n e w e r a , a s t h e c o m p a n y expanded its product line to include bathroom and living room collections; this diversi- fication was accompanied by a strong commitment to sus- tainability, focusing on eco- f r i e n d l y m a t e r i a l s a n d r e s p o n s i b l e p r o d u c t i o n processes. Integral to Scavoli- ni's continued success in this period and beyond were its collaborations with renowned designers and architects, who infused the brand's offerings with innovation and contem- p o r a r y e l e g a n c e . A m o n g them, we should mention Vittore Niolu, who brought modern and functional design t o t h e f o r e f r o n t ; F a b i o Novembre, who introduced a narrative-driven approach with bold, artistic flair. The partnership with Nendo, led by Oki Sato, added minimal- ist elegance, while the collab- oration with Diesel Living brought an industrial-chic aesthetic to Scavolini's collec- t i o n s . G i u g i a r o D e s i g n introduced futuristic designs that combined innovation with style, showcasing Scav- olini's commitment to push- ing design boundaries. These collaborations diversified Scavolini's product range and also solidified its status as a purveyor of innovative, sus- tainable, and design-forward home solutions. In the years following the 1990s, Scavolini continued to evolve, emphasizing innova- tion, design excellence, and sustainability. The brand's global presence expanded, with an increased number of showrooms and dealerships worldwide, bringing Italian design closer to an interna- tional audience. Scavolini's commitment to sustainability deepened, too, with signifi- cant investments in renew- able energy, waste reduction, a n d t h e u s e o f r e c y c l a b l e materials, which aligns with the broader design industry's efforts to address environ- mental challenges. Technological innovation has also been a hallmark of Scavolini's recent strategy: the company has embraced digi- tal design tools, advanced manufacturing processes, and smart home technology to enhance product functionality and user experience. This includes kitchens with inte- grated appliances and smart storage solutions, as well as bathrooms with energy-effi- cient fixtures, reflecting Scav- olini's response to the needs of modern living. Continuing its tradition of collaboration, Scavolini part- nered with new designers and brands, further enriching its collections with contemporary trends and groundbreaking designs; these partnerships allowed Scavolini to cater to a wider audience. Beyond its business activities, Scavolini engaged in cultural and com- munity initiatives, supporting arts, design education, and social causes, efforts that highlight the brand's commit- ment to enriching the com- munities it serves and pro- moting a deeper appreciation for design culture. Scavolini remains true to its vision of creating spaces that are both functional and expressions of contemporary life. Through its collaborative spirit and dedication to excel- lence, it continues to influence the world of design. G ambling was a p e r v a s i v e aspect of Venet- ian life, reflect- i n g t h e c i t y ' s wealth and status as a major cultural and trade hub. In Venice, everyone gambled e v e r y w h e r e : p e o p l e engaged in games of chance i n p r i v a t e h o m e s , p u b l i c squares, and during festivals, with stakes involving money, goods, and even property. Venetian authorities, how- ever, viewed gambling with concern due to the disorder it could cause and the poten- tial financial ruin for individ- u a l s . D e s p i t e n u m e r o u s attempts to regulate these activities through edicts and laws—especially prohibiting gambling during religious events and at night—these efforts largely proved ineffec- tive against the strong appeal of gambling. That's why, in 1 6 3 8 , L a S e r e n i s s i m a opened the Ridotto, mark- ing the advent of the first g o v e r n m e n t - s a n c t i o n e d gambling house in the West or, to say it simply, the first casino. Located in the Palaz- zo Dandolo near the church of San Moisè, the Ridotto ( w h i c h t r a n s l a t e s a s "reduced" or "private" in Ital- ian) aimed to provide a regu- lated environment for gam- b l i n g . T h e m o v e a i m e d a t centralizing gambling within a single location, which sig- nificantly enhanced the abili- ty to monitor and manage these activities effectively. Moreover, by keeping gam- blers all in the same place, authorities hoped to mitigate the chaos and disorder com- monly associated with gam- bling in unregulated or pub- l i c s p a c e s . A n d l e t ' s n o t forget that the Ridotto served as a valuable source of rev- e n u e f o r t h e g o v e r n m e n t : through the imposition of taxes and fees on gambling operations, it contributed significantly to filling the Republic's coffers. T h e R i d o t t o r e m a i n e d operational until 1774 when i t w a s c l o s e d t o c u r b t h e widespread gambling mania. After its closure, gambling in Venice returned to a less reg- ulated state until the mid- 20th century, which saw a r e s u r g e n c e i n i n t e r e s t f o r regulated gambling venues. T h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f t h e C a s i n ò M u n i c i p a l e d i V e n e z i a in 1946 on Lido island, followed by the iconic Casinò di Venezia in 1959 within the Ca' Vendramin Calergi palace, marked sig- nificant milestones, reflect- ing Venice's long-lasting rela- tionship with gambling. Today, Venice hosts two branches of the Casinò Di Venezia, which are consid- ered part of the city's casino offerings. The main venue, as we said, is located at Ca' Ven- dramin Calergi, right on the bank of the Canal Grande in the city center, while the sec- ond branch is situated in an old, grand palace, in a reflec- tion of the historical connec- t i o n b e t w e e n t h e c i t y a n d gambling. The famous Casinò di Venezia (Photo: Demerzel21/Dreamstime) The popular logo of Scavolini (Photo: Sylvain Robin/Dreamstime) Venice and the first casino in the world Scavolini: la più amata dagli Italiani! IMPRESA ITALIA MADE IN ITALY TOP BRANDS BUSINESS & ECONOMY

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