Recognized Italian Lighting Brands Every Design Enthusiast Should Familiarize Themselves With
Italy, renowned for its design excellence, continues to set trends and directions in the global lighting industry. This is particularly evident in the UK, where some of the world's most prestigious Italian lighting brands have made their mark. Here's a roundup of the top 10 Italian lighting brands recognised by design experts and where you can buy them in the UK.
1. **Flos** Flos, a brand known for iconic designs like the Snoopy lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and collaborations with Michael Anastassiades, can be found at Heal's, Aram, and other major design retailers.
2. **Cattelani and Smith** Sharing a showroom with Moroso in Clerkenwell, London, Cattelani and Smith is celebrated for contemporary and innovative lighting designs.
3. **Contardi** Contardi, known for stylish and artistic lighting collections, is available at selected design stores closely associated with Italian lighting but specific UK stockists can include high-end specialty retailers.
4. **Gallotti&Radice** Gallotti&Radice, which started as a glassmaker, now creates elegant lighting with organically shaped designs, like the Bolle Verticale pendant. The brand can be found at Barker & Stonehouse and Chaplins.
5. **Masiero** Masiero, known for wrought iron Italian-style lighting with luxury finishes, is stocked by specialist lighting retailers such as Kes Lighting.
6. **Ideal Lux** Ideal Lux provides stylish Italian lighting for home and garden in wrought iron and other materials, and is also stocked by Kes Lighting.
7. **Norma** Another brand specialising in classic Italian wrought iron light fittings, Norma, is available through Kes Lighting and similar outlets.
8. **Heathfield & Co** (British brand, often paired with Italian style) Handmade, bespoke lighting with elegant style, Heathfield & Co, though British, is widely sold alongside Italian brands and emulates similar design values.
9. **Ghidini 1849** Ghidini 1849 offers high-end handcrafted brass lamps, blending art deco, art nouveau, and contemporary styles. The brand is available through specialist luxury lighting retailers, online and boutique shops focused on premium Italian lighting.
10. **B&B Italia** (related to Flos group) While primarily a furniture brand, B&B Italia also offers lighting with a clean, modern aesthetic. The brand is available at high-end design stores alongside Flos.
These brands are largely available through top UK design retailers such as Heal's, Aram, Barker & Stonehouse, Chaplins, KES Lighting, and specialty showrooms including the Clerkenwell area in London. If you are seeking specific pieces, visiting these stores or their websites will provide access to the best selections of Italian lighting in the UK market.
Some notable designs include The Circle light and the Comet ceiling light from Bontempi, the Enso lamp and the Ettorino lamp from Catellani and Smith, and the Aqaba S and Royale S chandeliers from Masiero. Brands like Bonaldo, Gallotti&Radice, DePadova, SLAMP, and Flos also offer a variety of stylish and innovative designs.
The world's most important lighting show, Euroluce, takes place in Milan every other year, showcasing the latest trends and innovations in lighting design. In London, SLAMP's flagship store offers dramatic and daring designs, with partnerships with stars like Zaha Hadid.
[1] Heal's: https://www.heals.com/ [2] Aram: https://www.aram.co.uk/ [3] Kes Lighting: https://www.keslighting.co.uk/ [4] UBER Interiors: https://www.uberinteriors.co.uk/ [5] Clerkenwell Design Week: https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/
- Flos, a global brand known for iconic designs like the Snoopy lamp and collaborations with Michael Anastassiades, can be found at Heal's, Aram, and other major design retailers.
- Cattelani and Smith, celebrated for contemporary and innovative lighting designs, shares a showroom with Moroso in Clerkenwell, London.
- Contardi, recognized for stylish and artistic lighting collections, is available at selected design stores closely associated with Italian lighting but specific UK stockists can include high-end specialty retailers.
- Gallotti&Radice, which started as a glassmaker, now creates elegant lighting with organically shaped designs. The brand can be found at Barker & Stonehouse and Chaplins.
- Masiero, known for wrought iron Italian-style lighting with luxury finishes, is stocked by specialist lighting retailers such as Kes Lighting.
- Ideal Lux provides stylish Italian lighting for home and garden in various materials and is also stocked by Kes Lighting.
- Norma, another brand specializing in classic Italian wrought iron light fittings, is available through Kes Lighting and similar outlets.
- Heathfield & Co, a British brand, handcrafts bespoke lighting with an elegant style. The brand is widely sold alongside Italian brands and emulates similar design values.
- Ghidini 1849 offers high-end handcrafted brass lamps, blending art deco, art nouveau, and contemporary styles. The brand is available through specialist luxury lighting retailers, online and boutique shops focused on premium Italian lighting.
- B&B Italia, while primarily a furniture brand, also offers lighting with a clean, modern aesthetic. The brand is available at high-end design stores alongside Flos.
To find specific pieces, visit top UK design retailers such as Heal's, Aram, Barker & Stonehouse, Chaplins, KES Lighting, and specialty showrooms including the Clerkenwell area in London. Other design cities like Milan host international shows like Euroluce to showcase the latest trends and innovations in lighting design. In London, SLAMP's flagship store offers dramatic and daring designs, with partnerships with stars like Zaha Hadid. To explore further, visit Heal's at [1], Aram at [2], Kes Lighting at [3], UBER Interiors at [4], and Clerkenwell Design Week at [5].
