Alessandro Finetto began working within the major domestic appliances industry in 1989, when he joined the Philips Design Center. Ten years later, he took over the design studio for Bauknecht, and in 2004 became the director of the brand’s global consumer design centre in Europe. Finetto has led and participated in research and strategic design projects such as Project F (IDSA / Business Week Award / Reddot Design Award); In Home (IF Design Award); and Green Kitchen (IF Design Award) in 2008. Finetto is a member of IDSA, and holds a degree in architecture and design from the Politecnico of Milan.

Together with his wife Suzanne, Christopher Sharp founded The Rug Company in London in 1997, with the vision of bringing together the age-old craft of rug making and contemporary design. The Rug Company now has 17 stores worldwide and Sharp has commissioned 40 of the world’s most influential designers, including Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Tom Dixon, Diane von Fusternberg, Matthew Williamson and Marni.