The ideal metaphor to explain a phenomenon like Driade is perhaps the country it comes from – Italy – and the public it addresses – the world. Italy’s age-old arts and crafts tradition, combined with a deep-felt need to experiment and study, have resulted in this country’s genius actually establishing the global principles of contemporary and cutting-edge design in every continent. In a season in which design determined a new trend in terms of mindset, function and image, Driade was one of its greatest representatives, being the first to coin a koine that could be understood at any latitude because written using different languages and forms of speech. If it were a city, it would be New York, London or even Rome at the time of Caravaggio, or more simply the Milan of the Astori family, where the company was founded in 1968. It now lives in many cities, in the most exclusive or stylish abodes, giving rise to a tortuous balance between coherence and change, fracture and culture. Driade is like a director who makes films that win the favour of the public and critics alike, anticipating trends and meeting contemporary tastes with the aid of a close network of creative people and artisans from various countries. It doesn't matter whether the film is a blockbuster or an art film presented in a repertory cinema, it makes its mark and becomes a cult movie. Driade, born in 1968, has a story of exceptional designers who, together with the company, contributed to creating significant pieces that make up the picture of the history of design. The brand, well known worldwide as a lifestyle icon, celebrates its 50 anniversary re-editing the very first logo created and designed by Enrico and Antonia Astori with Adelaide Acerbi.