(February 28, 2017) The tremendous economic growth of Vietnam, the distinctive features of a cultural identity having in Hanoi the cradle and the main center driving the fashion and the artistic trends, as well as the steady intensification of the bilateral relations are the main assets that have earned the capital city the inclusion in the list of the 100 locations selected by Italy to celebrate the Italian Design Day with the added value of a mission paid by an Italian “Ambassador of design” for this special occasion. Ms. Barbara Trebitsch, former Head of the Fashion School “Domus Academy” in Milan, prime school of specialization in the fields of design, fashion and architecture, has been appointed as the Italian “Ambassador of design” to Hanoi. The program of the Italian Design Day in Hanoi includes two main public initiatives, upon invitation. The first event will take place on March 2nd at Casa Italia, the center for the promotion of the “Made in Italy” and Italian Culture.
Casa Italia carries the original and longstanding vocation of a venue for Italian and Vietnamese to meet, get together and exchange ideas, in the same way as the “piazze rinascimentali”, the Italian urban squares back in the 15th century, used to be the core of the social, political and cultural life, stimulating contaminations as in an outdoor “laboratory”. Starting from the afternoon of March 2nd Casa Italia will host the exhibition “50+! The great industry game” – a journey through the most iconic objects of the Italian design – as well as a special display of Italian prime brands, enriching its permanent showcase of products by top investors in Vietnam. On March 3rd a Conference held at the National University of Civil Engineering will constitute a second initiative aimed at exploring partnerships and joint initiatives in the format of a panel discussion chaired by the Ambassador of Italy, Ms. Cecilia Piccioni, and mainly focused on fashion, architecture and industrial design. The conference will be attended by the “Ambassador of design”, Ms. Barbara Trebitsch, as well as by representatives of Italian iconic brands, Vietnamese academics and the most outstanding names in the design fields that have special bond with Italy and professional experiences in our country.

ABOUT / THE DAY

Upon the initiative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, March 2nd will mark the celebrations of the major driver of the worldwide acknowledged leadership of the “Made in Italy”. In 100 locations around the world, 100 “ambassadors” of Italian culture (designers, entrepreneurs, journalists, critics, communicators, teachers...) will present in a panel discussion the Italian design as a unique blend of factors, both material and immaterial, that have kept their distinctive features along the centuries and despite the major overhauls by communication and mobility systems: creativity and originality, top-quality materials, superb construction, production processes that respect the environment, as well as workers and end users, and the highest quality packaging and advertising.