Wednesday 8 October, 6.30pm
Made in Italy Today. Matteo Battiston and Andrea Rosso in conversation with Daniel Gava
The global success of the Made in Italy brand has been built on a winning combination of style, exceptional craftsmanship, aesthetics, family heritage, and a commitment to innovation and technology.
Many companies have played a pivotal role in reinforcing its value by offering top quality products and services across a wide range of sectors, including food, fashion, furniture, automotive, engineering, research, and tourism.
The reputation of Made in Italy has frequently surpassed economic fluctuations and competition from markets offering lower cost products, which often happen to be its primary consumers.
However, what is the current perception of Made in Italy? Does it still provide a competitive edge for businesses? How has it evolved over time, and does it continue to hold the same meaning for newer generations?
Curated and moderated by Daniel Gava, this discussion aims to delve into the present status and anticipate the future of one of the world’s most iconic labels.
This exploration will be enriched by the personal insights of two distinguished guests, Chief Design Officer at EssilorLuxottica, Matteo Battiston and Andrea Rosso, Sustainability Ambassador at OTB.
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Matteo Battiston is Chief Design Officer at EssilorLuxottica, where he leads design and R&D through a diverse, global team. He oversees collections for iconic brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, and Persol, as well as prestigious licenses including Chanel, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. A pioneer in smart glasses, he played a key role in developing Ray-Ban Meta, driven by the vision of making technology invisible and innovation deeply human. He has received international recognition for his design work and serves on the advisory boards of leading design and communication institutions. LinkedIn Instagram @matteo.battiston @essilorluxottica
Andrea Rosso Curiosity and passion define Andrea Rosso, born and raised in Bassano del Grappa, Italy. After studying pattern cutting in Padua, English in California and Textile Development and Marketing at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, he joined the family business Diesel, blending his love for graphics, art, and vintage into innovative projects. Andrea led the creation and global growth of Diesel Living, forging long-term design partnerships with brands like Moroso, Lodes, Scavolini, Iris Ceramica, Berti, Seletti and Mirabello Carrara. In 2014 he launched MYAR, a collection of reworked military garments that merge history with contemporary design. In 2020 he became Diesel’s Sustainability Ambassador, helping launch the brand’s “For Responsible Living” strategy. Since 2025 he has served as Sustainability Ambassador for the OTB Group, promoting a culture of sustainability across the Group and inspiring positive change throughout the fashion industry. LinkedIn Instagram @andrea____rosso @otb
Daniel Gava With over twenty-five years of experience in the international design industry, Daniel works as a Board Advisor to design companies and designers, helping them grow their brand and business by leveraging his deep knowledge of industry dynamics and key global players. A passionate innovator and connector, Daniel has been a prominent figure in the London design scene for many years now, actively advocating for creativity, design culture, and inclusion. His collaborations include Arper, Minotti, Moroso, Virgin Galactic, RedDuo, Poltrona Frau, Dezeen, Michele De Lucchi, Studio Waldemeyer, Magis, Lualdi, Lapalma, and Gensler. Daniel is a Board Member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK, an Ambassador of the London School of Architecture, and was appointed Testimonial for the International Italian Design Day 2022 by the Italian Consulate in the UK. LinkedIn Instagram @danielgavaworks