When you think of the world’s most loved brands, Italians dominate. Think of Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Fendi in fashion, Ferrari, Fiat and Ducati in automotive, Smeg and DeLonghi in appliances. So how have the Italians gained and maintained their stronghold in the hearts and minds of buyers?

The post-war period is widely recognised as the heyday of Italian industrial design. World War II saw much of Italy decimated, sparking a national rebuilding phase in the post-war period that brought together culture and commerce. Having grown up in Milan in the ’60s and ’70s, Sydney-based architect Luigi Rosselli witnessed an omnipresence of good design and architecture.