Formigoni: Italian eyewear, the excellence of tradition and style
With sunglasses he says that he has “a fantastic relationship”, but with eyeglasses he admits that it is slightly “more complicated” and lightheartedly puts them under the heading of an “irrepressible need”. Roberto Formigoni, President of the Lombardy Region, tells us about his relationship with glasses.
Formigoni comes from Lecco and is one of Italy’s best-known politicians. He founded the “Movimento Popolare” and was one of the main players in the Christian Democrat Party and, later, in the Forza Italia party. He was a member and vice president of the European Parliament and undersecretary for the environment. He has been the governor of Lombardy since 1995.
How do you feel about glasses? Are they an intolerable need or a pleasant complement?
“I have a fantastic relationship with sunglasses. I have many pairs and I like wearing them and showing them off. The relationship becomes more complicated with eyeglasses: I had exceptional eyesight for a very long time, eleven-tenths, but for some years now I have had to wear glasses for reading. That’s why I have to put them under the heading of irrepressible need”.
Along with your political battles which, for example, put federalism in the frontline, as president of the region that produces a quarter of the country’s GDP and attracts 50% of foreign investments, you have always been attentive to Italian excellence and that of Lombardy in particular. Do you think that the eyewear sector is part of this?
“Yes, definitely. Italian and Lombard excellence comes to the fore when it combines the tradition of our industrial districts with the ability to promote made-in-Italy throughout the world. As a country, we are among the world’s major producers and absolutely the most highly regarded in terms of technology and style. From talking to the commercial managers, entrepreneurs and investors who operate outside Italy, it is clear that the first thing they expect from an Italian product is that it is more tasteful and pays attention to quality. The eyewear sector has been able to move in this direction and continues to do so, even during the economic crisis we are experiencing at present. It certainly pleases me that these Italian producers include particularly important ones from Lombardy”.
Among other things, the Governor has always paid special attention to the sector and it was not by chance that he inaugurated two of the most recent editions of Mido.
On a lighter topic, when you choose a pair of sunglasses or eyeglasses, what is more important to you, comfort or fashion?
“Both things because nowadays if fashion, in other words, everything that is elegant and in good taste, does not take comfort into consideration it is destined to fail”.
