Dezeen Magazine

Moroso "gave me credibility" as a designer, says Patricia Urquiola

Movie: Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola discusses the impact of her relationship with Italian furniture company Moroso on her career in the next instalment of our exclusive video series filmed in Milan.

Patricia Urquiola and Patrizia Moroso portrait
Patricia Urquiola and Patrizia Moroso

Urquiola's relationship with Moroso began in 1998 and has lasted for over 15 years. However, Urquiola says that she only got in touch with Moroso creative director Patrizia Moroso because of the intervention of a mutual friend.

"I had a little prototype that I was going to propose to another company," she recounts in the movie. "But a friend of mine, who knew Patrizia well, said: 'Just have a little conversation with Patrizia Moroso first.'"

Lilo by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso
Lilo by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso

Urquiola went to Moroso's factory in Udine and says that she and Patrizia felt an instant chemistry.

"We found a perfect connection," she says. "I felt part of a family."

Lilo by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso
Lilo by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso

Moroso was the first manufacturer to produce Urquiola's work, with the Spanish designer creating numerous collections for the brand over the years. She says Moroso played a crucial role in establishing her name as a designer.

"Patrizia was really the first person that gave me credibility," she says.

Bold by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso
Bold by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso

Moroso launched two new designs by Urquiola this year at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan, where this movie was filmed.

Lilo is a colourful lounge chair featuring an upholstered seat and backrest on a wooden frame. A metal-framed version is also planned.

Bold by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso
Bold by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso

Moroso also launched Bold, an understated modular sofa system, which will be available in a series of bright colours and features exaggerated stitching to emphasise the quality of the upholstery.


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"For over a year we worked on an idea for a very simplified system that is very easy, focusing just on how it is finished," Urquiola explains.

Patricia Urquiola portrait
Patricia Urquiola portrait. Copyright: Dezeen

This movie was produced by Dezeen for Moroso. The music used is a track called Qix by UK producer 800xL.

We will be publishing more movies about the Italian brand's latest products over the coming weeks, which you can watch on our YouTube playlist: