Maddalena de Padova, influential figure in Italian design, dies at 88

Maddalena Corti De Padova, a pivotal figure in Italian design, died at 88. In 1956, she co-founded with husband Fernando a showroom in via Napoleone, later moved to Corso Venezia, pioneering Scandinavian furniture in Italy. In 1958, she opened I.C.F. De Padova, producing Herman Miller office furniture under license, connecting with designers like Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Alexander Girard. After her husband's death in 1967, she launched her own office furniture line in the 1970s, designed by Vico Magistretti, followed by "Edizioni De Padova" (later "De Padova"), known for rigorous, understated design. Post-2000, she nurtured new talents such as Denis Santachiara, Patricia Urquiola, Marco Zanuso jr, Xavier Lust, and Nendo. In 2015, Boffi acquired the company. She received the Compasso d'Oro alla Carriera in 2004.