Today Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the premium Italian beer brand, has officially launched the Peroni Design Awardsat the opening of the exhibition Icons of Italian Design in The Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square, Dublin 2. 

The Icons of Italian Design exhibition (open to the public from the 9^th to the 18^th of May) will explore the icons of Italian style and design from the 1960s to the present day, bringing together the most exciting brands in Italian contemporary design and illustrating how these designs helped to shape the future of design throughout the world.  

At the exhibition, Peroni Nastro Azzurro launched the Peroni Design Awards to discover talented and aspiring designers in Ireland, alongside the announcement of the latest collaboration with iconic Italian design brand, Alessi.  As part of the collaboration, Peroni Nastro Azzurro is calling on design professionals, students, and design-enthusiasts over the age of 25 to enter the Peroni Design Awards. 

The national design competition is seeking to push the boundaries of excellence and design by challenging designers to create an original item to enhance the enjoyment of Peroni Nastro Azzurro during a special occasion, in a bar, restaurant or at home, and which celebrates the iconic Peroni Nastro Azzurro blue ribbon. The competition will be fronted and judged by Matteo Alessi, International Sales & Development Director Europe for Alessi, in conjunction with key members of the Institute of Designers in Ireland and Design Week with the winner receiving a €2,000 cash prize.

Renowned for unique style, natural flair and creativity, the Italians have produced some of the world’s most widely admired designers and enduring designs. Peroni Nastro Azzurro embodies craftsmanship, passion and attention to detail, inherent qualities that contribute to the success and beauty of Italian design. The Peroni Design Awards is calling on emerging Irish designers to embrace these qualities and methods in designing a bespoke piece, inspired by the Peroni Blue Ribbon. 

Commenting on the collaboration, Matteo Alessi said: “We are really excited to collaborate with Peroni Nastro Azzurro and be a part of the judging process of the Peroni Design Awards.  At Alessi, we look for the best expression of creativity with our designers and we always keep the design element alive in all our products. I am looking forward to seeing that same artistic expression from the Irish designers who take part in this inspiring competition”. 

Speaking on the partnership with the Peroni Design Awards, Andrew Bradley, President of the Institute of Designers in Ireland said: “We are delighted to support the Peroni Design Awards. It is important to commend and celebrate Irish design at every opportunity and demonstrate the wealth of design talent in the country. We are excited about this project and look forward to seeing the finalist exhibition as part of Design Week in November.”

 

The ten finalists will have their designs exhibited as part of Design Week in front of Ireland’s design influencers in November 2013. For more information on the awards please contact peronidesign@drury.ie or www.facebook.com/lecool.dublin.