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Iconic Italian furniture: A history of MIM in photos.

historic photo of Ennio Fazioli, founder of MIM
Ennio Fazioli, founder of MIM.

Ennio Fazioli, founder of MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni), shares his archive of images that capture the iconic Italian furniture brand’s rich cultural history.


For over four decades—from 1958 to 2000—collaborations with the likes of Gio Ponti, Luigi Pellegrin, Vittorio Gregotti, Carlo Scarpa, Renato Venturi, Giuseppe Zammerini, Ico Parisi, Bruno Munari, and Ettore Sottsass brought to light the modern character of Italian design through furniture, showrooms and media. The aim, says Fazioli, was “to distinguish themselves from the products of northern European architects and the works of American designers.”



black and photo of iconic furniture design by Ico Parisi credenza
Taormina credenza by Ico Parisi, 1958.

Terni desk by Ico Parisi, 1958.



Limonta coffee table by Ico Parisi, 1958.



midcentury modern dining chairs designed by Renato Venturi

Dining chairs by Renato Venturi, 1959.



midcentury modern dining set in Italian showroom

Dining chairs by Ennio Fazioli.



midcentury modern armchair and ottoman on balcony

Armchair with ottoman by Ennio Fazioli.



1970s conference room with iconic Italian furniture in gold upholstery and wood desk

Italian Post Ministry conference room: Ennio Fazioli chairs, 1975.



1907s conference room with designer leather chairs

Bruxelles conference room: Ennio Fazioli chairs, 1972.



black and white photo of MIM storefront in Bologna

MIM Showroom in Bologna, a Bruno Munari project.



l-shape bookshelf designed by bookshelf by Ico Parisi on display in MIM showroom

Lerici bookshelf by Ico Parisi, 1958.



midcentury modern furniture in MIM showroom in Paris

Armchairs by Ennio Fazioli in MIM Paris showroom.



midcentury modern modular office furniture gray desks and file cabinets red chairs

Ennio Fazioli Linear series, winner of Compasso D'Oro award.



vintage ad of midcentury modern office furniture

Cartesio desk by architect Marco Zanuso.



midcentury modern furniture showroom

MIM showroom in Rome, Ico Parisi.

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