Ever since she founded her Milan-based gallery Nilufar in 1979, talent scout, curator and collector Nina Yashar has been hailed as one of the world’s great tastemakers. Here, the 67-year-old talks design, talent and her Open Edition collection. Where did your passion for collectible design come from? When I was 21, I joined the family business.
My father was a rug dealer so the only option to express myself was by following in his footsteps. I didn’t have any idea of which area I would specialise in, but my own journey started in Stockholm where, by chance, I discovered a passion for mid-century furniture. I have not abandoned this world ever since.
For me, the big masters like [Italian designer] Gio Ponti have created the roots and references for many Italian designers working today. Italian mid-century is my favourite design period. How has your curation evolved over your career? To be honest, my curation has always followed my personal passion.
I opened my gallery based on what I really wanted to do. Obviously, my process has become more refined – I’ve honed my aesthetics and sensibilities, and deepened my understanding of design as a whole. The consistent thread is a focus on pieces that aren’t just visually stunning, but also conceptually rich and emotionally resonant.
In your mind, what constitutes a well-designed piece? It’s about emotional attraction. Everyone’s first approach is to always to follow their instinct. After this I consider the current waves.
