The story of Maddalena De Padova begins in the 1950s, when she opens a shop in via Montenapoleone with her husband Fernando, through which she contributes to the spread of the culture of Scandinavian design in Italy. After the adventure of ICF De Padova, thanks to which she obtained the production license for Italy of Charles & Ray Eames furniture, from the 80s Maddalena transformed her shop into a real design publisher, capable to launch original creations of many great designers of the time.
In those years, De Padova shop, which moved to the historic headquarters of Corso Venezia, promoted a design idea far removed from the dominant aesthetic of the time, full of rowdy colors and pop shapes, relaunching an image of a typically Milanese elegance and sobriety. In the city and in the world, the exhibitions of the shop windows become famous, signed by names such as Achille Castiglioni and Pierluigi Cerri. However, a special relationship binds De Padova and the great Vico Magistretti, author of some of the brand’s most famous products, such as the Louisiana armchair or the Raffles sofa.
De Padova thus proves to be able to furnish the home in any environment: the De Padova sofas play a central role in the collection, often presented in light fabrics. Equally rich is the selection of De Padova tables, round or square, capable of meeting every need. Very famous is De Padova Universal Shelving System bookcase, based on an original drawing by Dieter Rams. Chairs, beds, coffee tables, lamps and accessories complete the collection.
With Maddalena’s retirement, the management of the company passes to her children Valeria and Luca De Padova, who in 2016 decided to expand the sales horizon to the world by joining the Boffi group. The new course sees the art direction of Piero Lissoni, able to adapt the products of De Padova catalog to a more contemporary taste without distorting the spirit. This process also involves a renewal of the showroom, moved to the more secluded Via Santa Cecilia, a location in line with the values always pursued by the brand.
