Marva Griffin Wilshire is a renowned figure in Italian design. Arriving in Milan in 1971, she quickly established herself as a key player, starting her career as the assistant to Piero Ambrogio Busnelli, the charismatic founder of C&B Italia. (Then become B&B Italia when he acquired Cesare Cassina’s shares). She went on to gain valuable experience working closely with leading architects and designers such as Mario Bellini, Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Gaetano Pesce, Richard Sapper, and many others. Griffin later joined Condé Nast, where she became a distinguished presence in the fashion and lifestyle media industry. Indonesia Design had the honour of meeting with Marva at Salone del Mobile 2025.
Today, Marva is best known for her role as the founder and curator of SaloneSatellite, a showcase for young designers at Milan’s Salone del Mobile, which she considers her most rewarding professional achievement.
On SaloneSatellite
She founded SaloneSatellite in 1998 after becoming the director of international press for Salone del Mobile. Over the past 27 years, she has guided and mentored countless emerging designers through the program. Many have gone on to make lasting contributions to the global design landscape.
Marva explained that the idea for SaloneSatellite emerged during her time working for Maison & Jardin and American House & Garden magazines. She was often in contact with young designers and, at the same time, organising exhibitions for Salone del Mobile. When those young designers heard about the event, they asked her how they might participate.
Recognising that most of them could never afford to book a booth at such a prestigious fair, which often led to them being overlooked by manufacturers, Marva proposed the idea of creating a dedicated platform for emerging talent. Motivated by a genuine desire to help young people, she convinced Salone’s management to support what would eventually become SaloneSatellite.
Regarding the selection process, Marva shared that applicants are asked to send photos of their work. However, she noted that evaluating designs from photos alone can be challenging. Some submissions may seem unremarkable at first glance, but once the designers present their creations in person, their talent becomes strikingly clear. What continues to surprise her most is the immense creativity young designers bring to SaloneSatellite year after year.
On Design
Reflecting on the broader world of design, Marva remarked on how the landscape has dramatically evolved due to rapid innovation and technological advancement.
She observed that new materials, techniques, and technologies are constantly emerging, making it increasingly difficult to predict where design is heading. For her, design is an ongoing evolution rather than a series of abrupt changes. The real game-changer, she emphasized, has been the rise of digital technology, which has fundamentally shaped how designers approach their work today.
Marva believes that design is a passion. It’s the one that must be nurtured in order to flourish. When asked what drives innovation in design, she responded, “Imagination. It’s the ability to envision what doesn’t yet exist.”