Joe Cesare Colombo

Joe Colombo was born in 1930 in Milan, Italy. He studied painting and sculpture at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera) and later pursued architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, where he studied until 1954.

In 1955, Colombo joined the Art Concept Group and soon abandoned painting in favour of a full-time career in industrial and product design. His early work already reflected a strong interest in technology, modularity and new ways of living.

In 1959, Colombo took over the family business, a company producing electrical appliances. This experience allowed him to experiment directly with new materials, construction methods and industrial production techniques. In 1962, he opened his own studio, focusing on interior design and architectural projects.

Joe Colombo became one of the most influential designers of the 1960s, known for his visionary, future-oriented designs. He developed radical concepts such as modular living systems and “total furnishing units”, anticipating flexible and compact ways of living. His work is characterised by the innovative use of plastics, fibreglass and advanced manufacturing techniques.

He designed products for many leading companies, including Oluce, Kartell, Alessi, Bieffe, Boffi, Flexform and, of course, Stilnovo.

Among his most iconic designs are the Tube Chair (1969), the Universale Chair (1965), the Boby trolley (1970) and experimental interior concepts such as the Total Furnishing Unit. Many of his works are today part of the permanent collections of major museums, including the MoMA in New York.

Joe Colombo passed away in 1971, on his birthday, at the age of only 41. Despite his short life, his influence on modern and contemporary design remains profound.

Oluce – O-Luce

The Italian lighting company Oluce was founded in 1945 by Giuseppe Ostuni. It is widely regarded as the oldest Italian design company in the lighting sector still in operation today. From the very beginning, Oluce positioned itself at the intersection of industrial innovation, architectural thinking and high-quality craftsmanship.

During the post-war years, Oluce played a key role in shaping modern Italian lighting design. The company became known for its willingness to experiment with new materials, advanced production techniques and progressive forms, often anticipating broader developments in modern and contemporary design.

One of the defining moments in the history of Oluce was its long-standing collaboration with Joe Colombo, whose radical and futuristic designs perfectly matched the company’s experimental spirit. Iconic models such as the Spider lamp (1965), which won the Compasso d’Oro in 1967, and the Coupé lamp (1967), later designed by Joe Colombo and refined by Alberto Meda, became international design classics and remain in production to this day.

Another crucial figure in Oluce’s history is Vico Magistretti, whose work for the company resulted in some of its most enduring and recognisable designs. Lamps such as the Atollo (1977), awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1979, have become timeless icons of Italian design and are today part of the permanent collections of major international museums.

Over the decades, Oluce collaborated with an impressive roster of renowned designers and architects. Among them are Angelo Ostuni, Achille, Livio and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Franco Buzzi, Joe and Gianni Colombo, Marco Zanuso, Tito Agnoli, Angeletti & Ruzza, Antonia Astori & Nicola De Ponti, Bruno Gecchelin, Stefano Casciani, Francesco Rota, Victor Vasilev, Ferdi Giardini and many others.

Oluce has received numerous international design awards over the years, including several Compasso d’Oro awards, confirming its central role in the history of Italian and international lighting design.

Throughout its history, Oluce has consistently balanced innovation with continuity, maintaining a strong connection to its design heritage while continuing to work with contemporary designers. This approach has ensured the lasting relevance of the brand within the international design landscape.

For a complete overview of the company’s current collections and official history, see the Oluce website.