Rinaldi, Gastone

(1920 - 2006)

Gastone Rinaldi (1920-2006) was an Italian designer. In 1948, with his brother Giorgio, he took control of his father Mario’s firm, Rima (established in 1916). Rinaldi utilized tubing, steel rods, mesh and foam-rubber upholstery. This gave birth to some landmark chairs for Italian design in the 1950s. His ‘DU 30’ chair won the 1954 Compasso d'Oro. After leaving Rima, he founded a brand new chair factory in 1974, Thema, he continued to design for until 1989. His designs for the new company were nominated for the Compasso d'Oro in 1978 and 1981.

During his career he worked with designers and architects like Giò Ponti, Franco Albini, Ico Parisi and Carlo Mollino.