Federico Pepe Celebrates Ten Years of Le Dictateur with New Projects

Federico Pepe, founder of the multiplatform project Le Dictateur, celebrated its tenth anniversary on April 9 at BASE in Milan's ex Ansaldo space. The event featured the launch of FAQ/Le Dictateur 5, curated by Maurizio Cattelan and Myriam Ben Salah. Additionally, Credenza, a capsule collection blending Patricia Urquiola's contemporary design with Pepe's graphic art, debuted as part of the Spazio Pontaccio collection. Pepe describes his role as 'Le Dictateur' as a self-imposed, playful title, using French to soften the term. He grew up near Omegna, isolated in the mountains, which fueled his curiosity and creativity, influenced by his father's graphic design work at Armando Testa. Pepe's collaboration with Urquiola began around 2012-2013 through PierPaolo Ferrari, co-founder of Le Dictateur. Their dialogue evolved through drawings rather than words, leading to Credenza, a furniture collection inspired by stained glass windows like those by Gerhard Richter for Cologne Cathedral. Pepe's relationship with Cattelan deepened recently while preparing FAQ/Le Dictateur 5. Le Dictateur's future includes a new space opening before June at via Paisiello 6, between corso Buenos Aires and piazzale Loreto in Milan.