During the panel “Redefining Luxury - Episode 2: From Ambition to Implementation”, moderated by Smart Interiors Horizon at Seaquip Milano 2026, we explored one of the event’s most discussed topics: how to transform sustainability goals into concrete actions without compromising quality and aesthetic excellence.

We spoke with Simona Parravicini of Paola Lenti, a company that has integrated a culture of sustainable design into its approach for many years.

PressMare – During the panel, there was considerable discussion about implementation. For Paola Lenti, what does it really mean to design sustainably?

Simona Parravicini – For us, sustainability is all-encompassing. It certainly involves the use of recycled or recyclable materials, but it also means designing products that retain their value over time.

This requires working on material quality, performance and durability, while designing with the product’s end-of-life phase already in mind. For example, we prioritize assembly systems that facilitate future disassembly, reduce the number of components wherever possible and seek to avoid solutions that could make material recovery more difficult.

At the same time, we believe it is essential that a product maintains its aesthetic value over time. Creating designs that do not follow short-lived trends contributes to longevity and, therefore, to sustainability.

PM – One of the topics that emerged during the panel was precisely the end-of-life phase. How important is it to consider this aspect from the very beginning of the design process?

SP – It is fundamental. If we truly want to talk about a circular economy, we must start with design.

Considering end of life means selecting materials that can be identified, separated, recovered or transformed once their useful life has ended.

This requires creating products that can be disassembled while avoiding treatments or modifications that alter the nature of the materials and prevent their reuse.

Our objective has always been to preserve the original characteristics of materials so that they can continue to have a life even after the product’s lifecycle has ended.

PM – This vision is directly connected to the Metamorfosi project, often cited as a successful example of the circular economy.

SP – Absolutely. Metamorfosi was born from the desire to enhance materials that would normally be considered production waste, which in our case mainly consists of textile materials.

The project was developed together with the Campana Brothers and later expanded through additional collaborations based on a very simple idea: what may be considered waste by some can become a new design opportunity.

However, behind this result lies extensive organizational work. Many years ago, we began cataloguing and storing leftover materials, sorting them by colour, consistency and texture. This is not something that can be improvised. It required vision, planning and, above all, a willingness to invest in a process that delivers results over the long term.

PM – Another topic raised during the panel was customer education over the long term. How important is it to communicate these processes?

SP – When a customer chooses a product, they immediately perceive its beauty, colours, comfort and quality. What is far less visible is all the work behind it, including material research, design choices, environmental considerations and production processes.

For this reason, we believe it is essential to communicate what cannot be seen.

A practical example is the work we are carrying out on packaging. We continue to replace already sustainable materials with solutions that are even more environmentally efficient. These are details that often go unnoticed, yet they contribute to reducing the product’s overall environmental impact.

PM – One of the most discussed topics at Seaquip Milano 2026 was the relationship between sustainability and excellence. Is it possible to reconcile the two?

SP – For us, it is not only possible but necessary, because sustainability is never a compromise on quality. On the contrary, it requires even more research, greater attention to detail and a higher level of design responsibility.

Our commitment is reflected in creating products that last over time, maintain their aesthetic and functional quality and can be passed on rather than replaced.

This is one of the most tangible forms of sustainability.

PM – Looking ahead, what role will younger generations play in this transformation?

SP – For many years we have collaborated with vocational schools, universities and design institutes, welcoming students into the company because we believe that the transfer of knowledge is essential.

Many of the processes that characterize Paola Lenti, such as weaving, stitching and artisanal craftsmanship, require skills that must be preserved and passed on.

We therefore seek to collaborate with young designers who share our philosophy and with people who believe in the value of durability, quality and responsible design. We are not necessarily looking for famous names.

Sustainability is built through everyday decisions, with every design choice, every material, every process and every detail contributing to the creation of a more responsible product. Ambition is important, but implementation is what truly makes the difference.

Rebecca Gabbi