Giuliano Pisapia, Mayor of Milan from 2011 to 2016, points out the importance of Milan design and fashion recalling the prestigious Ambrogino d'Oro award, which the city gives its most deserving citizens, awarded in 2014, among others, to Gisella Borioli for her contribution to the cultural growth of the city with Superstudio and more.

That December 7th of my years as Mayor: I remember it well. Not only because December 7th is the day of Milan feast, the remembrance of St. Ambrose Bishop and Patron of the city, the opening night of La Scala; but also because for the Mayor the day begins with Ambrogino d'Oro award, the highest civic merit to those who have made "a special contribution to the prestige of the city".
As mayor I don’t forget meetings with citizens, city council meetings with councillors, nights in Municipal Board to approve the budget or other urgent measures, school lunches with children to evaluate with them the service offered by school canteens, the projects examination for car sharing and its innovative capacity, Darsena return to the city, the golden wedding anniversary for citizens celebrating fifty years of marriage, La Scala opening night with the President of the Republic (and with the tuxedo I never wanted to wear in my life and I never wore again).
One of the greatest emotions was, for five years, the award ceremony, on patron saint’s festival day, of the civic merits at Dal Verme, Milan historical theater. I remember it like it was yesterday: On December 7th, 2014, among the winners there was Gisella Borioli who had impressed me for what she had made over the years and also, I confess, for her sweetness and her distinctive always perfect bob haircut.
I find her Ambrogino’s motivation: "Entrepreneur, journalist, director absolute protagonist of Milanese fashion world. She was a contribution to the strengthening of this economy and Milan image key sector. With her work, with her fashion and costume books publications and with initiatives such as the foundation of Superstudio, communication and design important reality. An example of how passion for work can become an element of growth and development for the whole community". Fashion, communication, design. Three elements that identify Milan - and Italy with Milan - in the world.
2000, the year of Superstudio's birth, was a year of great change. The year in which it became clear that the Internet had made the most profound revolution in history and that from then on nothing could do without it. The year when, after centuries of male dominance, it became clear that women were finally finding their place among economy protagonists. Radical changes, reversed perspectives. And also Superstudio, in its own small way but with its potential, has contributed to overturning a situation that seemed blocked and paved the way for that change in the city - from "closed" to "open" - which on the administrative side I had the chance to carry out years later when I became mayor.
With Superstudio began what could be defined as design democratisation, the awareness by all citizens of the beauty and value of our designers and companies products. Furniture, lamps, objects, no longer remained closed in Fair’s pavilions, intended to be known only by buyers and professionals. The seed of that wonderful project that has become Fuorisalone, the whole city that knows, lives and celebrates one of its excellences, was born at Superstudio thanks to Gisella Borioli. A seed that has blossemed and that, like all seeds, has led us far away, into a new era which seemed impossible.
But what was the fuel that moved this car? I think it can be summed up in two words: foresight and dedication. Imagining what tomorrow can be, which does not exist today, is an uncommon gift. But to travel unexplored roads, and therefore full of obstacles, scattered with unknown factors, it takes an infinite dose of passion. It takes the desire to move forward and the confidence to succeed. Twenty years later, the history of Superstudio has been enriched by many pages. And this book, which is pleasant to read, tells them.

Giuliano Pisapia