"Tito D'Emilio, a strict and methodical self-taught man, animated by the passion for beauty and fascinated by innovation, has known how to make his shop in Catania a reference point for the Italian design market since the end of the 1960s. His work as a courageous tradesman and spreader of taste, obstinately carried forward in geographically unfavourable conditions, has contributed to the knowledge and appreciation of the best Italian and foreign companies and products, some considerable time before they became famous."
This is the reason why, this year, ADI wanted to award a Compasso D'Oro to the career of Tito D'Emilio, who took the De Padova style, and that of others, to Sicily. We interviewed him to try to understand his progress down the years.

How did your passion for design start?
It was a question of instinct, fruit of a sudden choice. About 40 years ago, I decided to change my work. I had a shop for domestic electrical appliances but I wanted to do something new. Out of curiosity, I went to Index of Copenhagen – and it was love at first sight. After the great Scandinavian design, I also met the leading Italian brands which were among the first I offered to Sicilian customers. Then success came through the word of mouth among customers pleased with my work.

Was it difficult to take the innovation of living to Sicily? What is your type of customer?
I was lucky enough to always be in contact with intelligent people with taste. I never had to impose my view of design – instead I offered it, always meeting with the approval of my customers – professionals and industrialists who trusted me. In many cases, I practically looked after the furnishing or renovation of their homes, offering a personal and exclusive service, and it's in this direction that my company still moves.

What are the difficulties of continuing business in Sicily?
Recently, the competition has become much harder and more difficult. The new sales points dealing with contemporary furnishing have a different approach to sales, dictated more by a profit logic, the rush to the 'discount' at all costs to attract the public, than the taste and passion for beautiful things. The large manufacturers also seem to prefer mass distribution rather than a privileged relationship between supplier and seller.

What sort of relationship do you have with De Padova?
I started as an admirer of the De Padova style then I became the exclusive distributor in Sicily for a long time. Ours is a very close relationship, beyond a straightforward, merely professional collaboration, a link dictated by a common love for design and good taste in furnishing. My relationship with Maddalena has always been a producer-distributor exchange without the need for intermediaries...

How have you furnished your home? What are your favourite pieces of design?
Boffi, Zanotta, Kartell and, obviously De Padova... the same brands that I've suggested to my customers for years, the same that I've always loved. I've lived my work at a 'craftsman' level, making suggestions to my customers dictated by my personal taste. I also chose the design that I've always sold for my house which, by the way, was designed by Carlo Bartoli who, in his time, worked with Arflex and Segis, in close contact with great design names like Marco Zanuso and Cini Boeri; I sold the products of these designers in my shops for years – and they now decorate my home!

Did you expect to receive the Compasso d'Oro?
Absolutely not! It was a surprise even for me and I'm obviously honoured. Evidently, people in design saw something in me that I was unaware of... perhaps it's a prize for my attachment to design – or, I'd say, almost tenacity....