Talent-spotting furniture doyenne has her eye set on Asia

Italian furniture doyenne Patrizia Moroso has a knack for spotting the next big designer and having her family business Moroso put out their daring designs.

Some of the designers she has helped turn into household names - Spanish designer-architect Patricia Urquiola, who created the now iconic Lowland flexible sofa for Moroso, and Israeli-born designer Ron Arad who created his first collection of upholstered furniture for her in 1988.

Moroso, 57, who was recently in town for the 100% Design Singapore exhibition, says: "I just had a feeling that they had a special aesthetic and would put out furniture that was more than just functional. They thought like artists, not just about making furniture."

Besides kick-starting the careers of many designers, she is credited with turning around the storied 60-year-old furnishings company, of which she is artistic director.