Kartell was founded in Milan in 1949 by chemical engineer Giulio Castelli to produce plastic goods, including homewares and lamps. The iconic brand continues to be celebrated for its work in plastic, and works with top designers around the world "to introduce plastic to the home." The Kartell portfolio of products includes pieces by some of the world's top designers, including Philippe Starck, Joe Colombo, Patricia Urquiola, Ron Arad, and many more.

Ferruccio Laviani is an Italian designer, born in 1960 in Cremona, Italy. Laviani designs furniture, lighting, interior, and exhibition spaces and has worked with esteemed design brands including Flos, Cassina, Dolce & Gabbana and Kartell. Laviani's long collaboration with Kartell has yielded a range of innovative light fixtures that test the boundaries of materials and design.

Hive was founded in 2002 with the idea that good design can and should be presented in an inspired, knowledgeable, and friendly manner. From humble beginnings fueled primarily on inspiration, Hive has grown to inhabit its own free-standing building in the Pearl District, Portland's most upscale urban neighborhood. They are an authorized retailer for Alessi, Artemide, Artifort, Carl Hansen, Cassina, Flos, Kartell, Knoll, and Vitra; just to name just a few.

Paolo Rizzatto was born in 1941 in Milan. He took his degree in Architecture in I965 at the Milan Polytechnic. In his studio he works as a freelancer in the field of architecture, design and interior design and continues to develop his experience as interior lighting designer. In 1978 he founded Luceplan together with Riccardo Sarfatti. He has designed for Arteluce, Artemide, Luceplan, Alias, Cassina, Nemo, Molteni, Knoll, Kartell, Philips, Montina, Thonet and Guzzini.

Philippe Starck believes that creation must improve people’s lives. This notion pushes the designer in all of his pursuits, from designing everyday products like kitchen tools and lighting to grander projects like mega yachts and wind turbines. As an inventor, creator, architect, designer, and artistic director, Philippe Starck is a versatile artist who is focused on changing the world. Starck has completed thousands of projects, and has designed for renowned companies like Kartell, Flos, Magis, Baccarat, Vitra, Alessi, and many more. Starck was the first French man to be invited to speak at the TED conferences, and has been featured in various museum exhibitions including the Guggenheim and MoMa in New York. In the course of his celebrated design career, Starck has earned many awards and decorations.

Anna Castelli Ferrieri (1918–2006) trained as an architect at Milan Polytechnic Institute, one of the first women to graduate its program. She then apprenticed under Italian Rationalist architect Franco Albini, whom she credited throughout her life as one of her most important creative influences. She and her husband, Giulio, founded Kartell in 1949. She, along with Ignazio Gardella, designed the company's headquarters as well as a Alfa Romeo factory in Italy.

Richard Sapper was born in 1932. After pursuing courses in philosophy, anatomy, and engineering, he graduated with a business degree from the University of Munich. Sapper’s main interest in his design work has centered on technically complex problems. He has developed and designed a wide variety of products, ranging from ships and cars, to computers and electronics, and furniture and kitchen appliances. His clients include Alessi, Artemide, B&B Italia, Brionvega, FIAT, Heuer, Kartell, Knoll, IBM, Lenovo, Lorenz Milano, Magis, Molteni, Pirelli and many others.

Antonio Citterio was born in Meda in 1950. He graduated in architecture at the Politecnico of Milan. From 1972 he worked in the field of industrial design as a designer and consultant. He works with many manufacturers such as Ansorg, Arclinea, B&B Italia, Flexform, Flos, Kartell, Tre-P&Tre-Piu, Valli & Valli, Vitra. In 1999 he becomes art director for Brionvega. He won the Golden Compass Award in 1987 and 1995. In 1981 he also starts working on architecture and interiors, establishing a multi-disciplinary architecture and design studio with experience ranging from architecture to corporate design comprising total creative directing for a mixed range of international clients. Toan Nguyen: Born in Paris, 1969 Toan Nguyen graduated with honors in Industrial Design at ENSCI-Les Ateliers, Paris, in 1995. In 1998, after professional experiences in several design offices in Paris, Barcelona and Milan, he began his collaboration with Antonio Citterio. Since 2000, he managed the design department of Antonio Citterio, becoming design partner in 2004 and working with international companies such as: Alfa Romeo, Arclinea, Artemide, Axor-Hansgrohe, B&B Italia, Flos, Guzzini, Iittala, JCDecaux, Kartell, Technogym, Valli&Valli, Vitra, Wall. Toan Nguyen has been design assistant professor at the Domus Academy-Milan (2000) and the Mendrisio Architecture Academy-Switzerland (2000-2001) and jury member for the IF product design award 2009 in Hannover. In 2008, Toan Nguyen launched his own design office based in Milan, with a branch office in Paris, collaborating with leading international companies based in Italy, the United States, Germany and Spain.

Bay Area native Katie Widdowson is Dwell's Editorial Production Manager. When not preparing images and editorial for press, she is busy traveling, cooking for friends, trying new San Francisco restaurants and blogging about pretty things. She recently purchased her first modern accessory, a Bourgie table lamp from Kartell, which she is not-so-secretly obsessed with.

Born in Paris, 1969 Toan Nguyen graduated with honors in Industrial Design at ENSCI-Les Ateliers, Paris, in 1995. In 1998, after professional experiences in several design offices in Paris, Barcelona and Milan, he began his collaboration with Antonio Citterio. Since 2000, he managed the design department of Antonio Citterio, becoming design partner in 2004 and working with international companies such as: Alfa Romeo, Arclinea, Artemide, Axor-Hansgrohe, B&B Italia, Flos, Guzzini, Iittala, JCDecaux, Kartell, Technogym, Valli&Valli, Vitra, Wall. Toan Nguyen has been design assistant professor at the Domus Academy-Milan (2000) and the Mendrisio Architecture Academy-Switzerland (2000-2001) and jury member for the IF product design award 2009 in Hannover. In 2008, Toan Nguyen launched his own design office based in Milan, with a branch office in Paris, collaborating with leading international companies based in Italy, the United States, Germany and Spain.