James Irvine, the Londoner who packed for Milan in 1984

Some careers begin with a decision that looks like a departure. James Irvine, born in London in 1958, collected his diploma from the Royal College of Art in 1984 and moved to Milan the same year. There he spent eight years as a design consultant for the Olivetti studio under Michele De Lucchi and Ettore Sottsass, opened his own practice in 1988, and from 1993 to 1997 was a partner of Sottsass Associati, heading its industrial design group. England took note from afar: guest of honour at Interieur in Kortrijk and Royal Designer for Industry in 2004, honorary doctorate from Kingston University in 2007.

His client list ran from Thonet to Ikea, from Alessi to Muji — and it includes Arper, whose Juno chair bears his signature — a maker La Mercanti works with closely. When a project leans on that catalogue, Irvine's quiet standard is part of what you are buying.