Ettore Sottsass: The Godfather of Italian Design Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) stands as a monumental figure in 20th-century design, universally recognized as “the godfather of Italian design.” Born in Innsbruck, Austria—a city steeped in Habsburg history and artistic patronage—Sottsass’s formative years instilled within him an appreciation for craftsmanship and architectural grandeur. He moved to Milan with his family in 1939, where he pursued his studies at the Politecnico di Torino, laying the groundwork for a career dedicated to reshaping perceptions of form and function. Early Life & E…