Patricia Urquiola

Born in Spain and trained as an architect in Madrid and Milan, Urquiola, 45, was mentored by architect Achille Castiglioni. After a stint at De Padova, where she worked with Vico Magistretti, she opened her own Milanese studio in 2001, bringing her playful geometry to furniture for companies like Moroso, Kartell, and Molteni & C. Seating that is elegant, imaginative and still sublimely comfortable has been Urquiola's specialty, but she has worn many other hats, creating watches and housewares for Alessi, crocheted rugs for Paola Lenti, lighting for Foscarini Murano and bathroom fixtures for Agape. Next up is the Tufty-bed for B&B Italia.