Franco Cologni

President of the Cologni Mestieri d'Arte Foundation

What faculty did you attend?

I graduated in Modern Literature with 110 laude. It was 1957. The four years I spent at Università Cattolica were unforgettable, perhaps decisive in making me what I am today. Cattolica opened up the world to me. […]

Is there anyone you remember in particular?

In addition to Franceschini, the Dean of my faculty, I fondly remember Professor Lazzati. He was the editor of the newspaper L'Italia and he called me to collaborate with him. At the time I was writing for the third page and that journalistic experience also earned me registration in the register of publicists.

Do you have any advice for those who want to enter the world of luxury?

You have to be creative and artisanal, have ideas and know how to make them happen. The luxury trade today is an important element, because luxury has become democratized. The ideas for successful products always come from a niche that then expands: the small that becomes big, never the other way around. But the most important thing to be successful is to work with someone you feel comfortable with. You have to get along with the people you work with. It is not only the value of the person that is important, but also the sympathy that he or she can arouse. These are all ingredients that allow you to work in the best way and therefore to obtain results. And I am of the opinion that you must always remain yourself: only in this way will you have the strength to prove your worth.

Is that why you founded the Arts and Crafts Foundation?

Exact. It is a foundation for the defense and promotion of artistic crafts and is designed especially for young people. They are our future. My intent is to train new generations of artisans, saving traditional artistic crafts that are in danger of disappearing. Today it is difficult even to give an unequivocal definition of "art craft". But I am sure that there will be an increasing need for new creative professionals. Today it is difficult even to give an unequivocal definition of "art craft". But I am sure that there will be an increasing need for new creative professionals.

The history of theatre has taught me that it is not only the author or the actors who are important, but above all the audience. In the end, it is he who decides whether the work is valid. And the same goes for luxury: it is the public, or in this case the customer, who decides the success or failure of a product.

from Presenza, 2005 - Ne ha fatta di strada by Leonardo Giammarioli