Refined: The Design of Vespa

From Italian ingenuity to contemporary cool, Refined explores the enduring legacy of one of the most recognizable and stylish designs of the 20th and 21st centuries. More than just a scooter, the Vespa is a cultural touchstone—an emblem of freedom, elegance, and fashion-forward innovation on two wheels.

This exhibit traces Vespa’s evolution from its 1946 debut, when aircraft engineer Corradino D’Ascanio reimagined urban transportation with sleek lines, enclosed mechanics, and an intuitive, step-through frame—radically different from the grease-and-grit motorcycles of the era. Designed for practicality, it quickly became a symbol of effortless style. Its aerodynamic silhouette and candy-colored hues captured the glamour and optimism of a new era in Italy, earning Vespa global admiration and a permanent place in the design canon.

Through vintage models, advertisements, and pop culture artifacts, Refined showcases how the scooter’s form and function have continuously adapted while remaining unmistakably Vespa. From couture campaigns to Fellini films, Vespa has always been more than a ride—it’s a fashion statement in motion.