Gastone Rinaldi

Born in Padua, Italy, Gastone Rinaldi grew up surrounded by creativity and craftsmanship. His father, Mario Rinaldi, had founded RIMA in 1916, a company specializing in the production of metal furniture, setting the stage for Gastone’s future. Although Rinaldi initially pursued a law degree at the Belzoni Institute, his true passions always leaned toward design and sport. Throughout the 1940s, he lived a dual life, balancing his work at RIMA with a budding soccer career that saw him play for teams like Padova, Cremonese, and Udinese. He even participated in the legendary Mille Miglia car race, a reflection of the qualities that would later define his design work.

In 1948, Gastone and his brother Giorgio officially took over the reins at RIMA. Under Gastone's leadership, the company expanded its influence, producing innovative metal furniture that quickly gained the attention of Italy’s design elite. Rinaldi collaborated with some of the greatest names of the era, including Gio Ponti, Carlo Mollino, Alberto Rosselli, Marco Zanuso, Franco Campo, Carlo Graffi, and Michele De Lucchi. His breakout moment came in 1954 when he won the prestigious Compasso d’Oro for the DU30 chair—a striking design that showcased Rinaldi’s mastery of tubular steel and advanced padding techniques. Light, stackable, and sculptural, the DU30 embodied his belief that functionality and elegance should always move together.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Rinaldi’s designs regularly appeared in Domus magazine, and he exhibited at events like the Milan Triennial. His work for public spaces, such as the Piccolo Teatro of Milan and the Molinette Hospital in Turin, further demonstrated his ability to combine beauty with everyday practicality. In 1974, after internal tensions at RIMA, Rinaldi struck out on his own, founding Thema in Limena. With Thema, he continued to push boundaries. His designs such as the Arianna armchair and the Dafne folding chair, received critical acclaim, with nominations for the Compasso d’Oro in 1978 and 1981. His Saturno sofa even found a home in the prestigious collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Gastone Rinaldi’s work was characterized by clean lines, harmonious proportions, and an ingenious approach to structure. Especially when it came to stacking and folding mechanisms, he closely oversaw both the design and production stages of his creations, ensuring they reflected his vision from concept to final form. Outside of design, Rinaldi cultivated a lifelong love for collecting pipes, amassing a collection of over 200 pieces. It’s a fitting metaphor: much like a well-crafted pipe, his furniture combined function, craft, and a quiet, enduring elegance.