An evening dedicated to design, passion and la dolce vita: the iconic Italian brand Vespa celebrated its 80th anniversary with an exclusive event at the Palais Metternich, the headquarters of the Italian Embassy in Vienna. Around 250 invited guests – including prominent figures from the worlds of politics, business, culture and high society – were taken on a stylish journey through eight decades of Vespa history. Music, Italian design and the Mediterranean way of life made the evening a multi-sensory tribute to the legendary two-wheeler icon.
Numerous well-known personalities such as Aaron Karl (actor), Stefan Koubek (former professional tennis player), Michi Buchinger (comic), Kurt Mann (Managing Director of Der Mann), Ciro de Luca (actor), Rainer Pariasek (ORF sports presenter), Siegfried Wolf (Austrian entrepreneur) and Stephan Zöchling (CEO of Remus) accepted the invitation and turned the evening into a glamorous celebration of la dolce vita. Piaggio representatives Flavio Lasalandra (Head of International Marketing) and Marco Pagliuca (Head of EMEA Region Importers) also travelled specially from Italy. With charm and poise, star presenter Nadja Bernhard hosted the evening, which took place as part of the Giornata del Design Italiano nel Mondo – Italian Design Day and showcased the Vespa as a symbol of Italian joie de vivre.
Josef Faber, CEO of Faber Holding, was delighted with the 80th anniversary. Faber GmbH, as the Austrian general importer of Vespa, brought the first Vespa to Austria in 1964 – and every one since: “Vespa is passion on two wheels. For 80 years, it has been accompanying people all over the world – and its appeal remains undiminished. We are proud that Austria is one of the most successful Vespa markets worldwide. This anniversary is a special thank you to everyone who has made Vespa what it is today: a ‘love brand’ in the truest sense.”
In his opening speech, Ambassador Giovanni Pugliese paid tribute to the Vespa as a cultural phenomenon and enduring symbol of Italy: “The Vespa is far more than a means of transport – it is a symbol of freedom, elegance and joie de vivre. It embodies Italian design at its finest and remains a timeless classic even after eight decades.”
A journey through 80 years of Vespa
In the festively decorated palace, guests were treated to an impressive showcase of the brand’s world – from its charming beginnings in the post-war years, through legendary classic models, to modern electric Vespas that carry the spirit of Italy into the future.
Culinary delights, live music from the Italian soprano Mariam Battistelli and atmospheric light installations created an authentic Italian lifestyle experience. A particular highlight was the exhibition of Vespa models – some of them rare – spanning eight decades – each one a piece of design history with an unmistakable character. Furthermore, the stylishly staged Vespa Fashion Show, which skilfully combined fashion, the riding experience and Italian elegance, was a great success.
