Michael Amini,

From Early Life to AICO

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We have never
betrayed
our style
and we never will

Visionary

Bertani’s uniqueness lies in its very style. We have known how to adapt it over time rigorously respecting our ties to tradition.
Michael Amini stands as a beacon in the world of luxury home furnishings. As the founder, chairman, and CEO of Amini Innovation Corp. (AICO), his transition from an electrical engineer to a leading figure in home furnishing and interior design is a story of bold passion and visionary transformation.
Maintaining a fashion-forward approach, Michael has consistently reshaped the furniture industry through his artistic flair and innovation, successfully combining luxury quality with everyday accessibility.

"Good Design Needs no Explanation"

- Michael Amini
Drawing inspiration from the world’s most beautiful cities and artworks, Michael concludes that, “good design needs no explanation”. He believes that good design enmeshes itself into our lifestyle, becoming inseparable from it.
This unconventional approach to furniture resonates with Michael’s vision of life, that success comes from changing the narrative. Michael didn't follow a conventional path to success. He turned his dream into reality, creating a brand embodying luxury and value whilst reimagining every space with comfort in mind.

Early Life

Michael Amini's entry into luxury home furnishings was influenced by his family. His father's business skills in Tehran laid the groundwork for Michael's own ambitions, while his mother's exquisite taste and quality taught him to appreciate beauty and quality, the hallmarks of his brand. His talented aunt, who was in the luxury fashion business, introduced Michael to children's fashion at a young age.

Michael was heavily influenced and cared about fashion since childhood

Michael as child model going down a catwalk during fashion show

Michael as a teen dressed to impress.

Michael was heavily invested in sports and taught Kung-Fu while in the army

Michael as a teen with a sense for fashion

Michael graduating with a degree in electrical engineering from Cal State Long Beach

Speak more about our values than a thousand words could: respect, coherence, patience.
At six years old, he became a children's fashion model, an experience that further stimulated his love for design and helped shape his unique aesthetic sensibility. These early experiences with fashion and design would prove foundational to his later work in furniture. Driven by his father's strategic business approach, Michael learned the importance of resilience and foresight, seeing every decision as a step toward his own future.
14 October 2020
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ognisanti 2018
Tre Bicchieri
del Gambero Rosso
His mother's influence was just as significant, nurturing in him a keen eye for beauty and a passion for design that goes beyond the ordinary. Michael drew inspiration from diverse cultural sources, including Indian, French, and English movies. Bollywood films particularly captivated him during his formative years, with their romantic themes and visual splendor leaving a lasting impression on his design sensibilities. In the guidance of his parents, Michael's desire for a better life was ignited - a desire for more than just survival, but for creating a legacy.
14 October 2020
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ognisanti 2018
Tre Bicchieri
del Gambero Rosso
As a young adult, Michael pursued legacy through extensive travel in timeless Europe. Living in cities like Athens, Paris, and London, he was influenced by the grandeur of European architecture and design. The ornate details of centuries-old palaces, the sophisticated aesthetics of French châteaux, and the splendor of Victorian mansions would later become the inspiration for some of his most coveted furniture collections.
In 1980, Michael moved to California to study electrical engineering at Cal State Long Beach. However, his creative spirit was stifled as an electrical engineer; he needed to create something beautiful. He found his way into a furniture company, working as a salesman. While there, he designed two collections that quickly became top sellers. Grasping his potential as a designer, Michael rapidly outgrew that company.


He found the outlet for his limitless potential in his own company, AICO...

Company History

Emily Hart
Rachel Collins
Michael and Father at single door AICO warehouse

1988: The Birth of AICO

Michael launched Amini Innovation Corporation (AICO) in 1988. He rented a single door, 250-square-foot warehouse and bought a used pickup truck. He was the designer, repairman, salesman, and delivery driver, a veritable one man show.

Within a few months, his hard work paid off and his first cargo container offurniture was sold.
Rachel Collins
Early AICO showroom
Rachel Collins
Michael with friend Samuel Quo (Chairman and CEO of LacquerCraft)
Lily Yeh at upgraded AICO Showroom

1989: First Major Expansion

Just one year later, Michael outgrew his warehouse. So, in 1989 AICO moved to a 6500-square-foot warehouse in Gardena.

Outpacing his storage space, he rapidly expanded the property to 13000-square-feet.
Rachel Collins
Michael and Samuel Quo at early AICO Showroom
Rachel Collins
Business growing on Michael's desk

1995: Explosive Growth

In 1995, AICO moved into a 23,000-square-foot warehouse in Santa Fe Springs.

Within a couple years, that same location hadexpanded to 90,000-square-feet.
Rachel Collins
Michael and Gabriel Duran Coordinating

Late 1990s: Breaking Ground

By the late 90s, even a burgeoning warehouse capacity couldn’t keep up with demand for Michael’s designs. He knew they needed a massive expansion, but he didn’t just want bigger, he wanted something unique.

So, he designed and broke ground on anew office building with an attached 300,000-square-foot warehouse.
Rachel Collins
Launch of new Warehouse

2003: Award-Winning Headquarters

In 2003, AICO officially completed construction and moved into their new headquarters, amonumental structure that won the Excellence in Design and Innovation award from the city of Pico Rivera.
Rachel Collins
AICO Warehouse and Offices in Pico Rivera, CA

Present: Global Success

Since then, the company has continued to flourish, greatly expanding its operations overseas and online.

AICO sees success inboth Michael’s traditional hits and his more contemporary transitional collections, all while maintaining its status as a leading innovative figure in the furniture industry.
Rachel Collins
Present Day Showroom at International Furniture Market in High Point, NC

Beyond AICO

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Accolades & Accomplishments

Michael Amini’s career is adorned with a series of distinguished honors that reflect his relentless pursuit of design perfection and business acumen. His journey of recognition began in 2004 with the Lifetime Achievement Award from City of Hope, followed by being named Furniture Supplier of the Year by Furniture Today in 2005. In 2007, he was honored with the Pillar of the Industry Award by the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA). His dedication to social justice was recognized in 2008 when he received the American Heritage Award from the Anti-Defamation League.The accolades continued in 2013 with The Spirit of Life Achievement award from City of Hope, acknowledging his ongoing support and philanthropy.
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In 2014, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences for his contributions to medical research. The year 2020 saw him receiving The Academy of Achievement honor from the ART award committee, further solidifying his standing in the industry. In 2022, Michael Amini was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, a testament to his lastingimpact on the world of home furnishings. In 2024, he received the Outstanding Brand Award from the International Furniture Leadership Awards. In addition to his numerous national honors, Michael has also received several international awards. Each award is not just a recognition of his past achievements but a milestone in his continuous journey toward greater heights of innovation and service, both domestically and abroad.

Furniture Supplier of the Year from Furniture Today (2005)

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American Heritage Award from the Anti-Defamation League (2008)

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The Spirit of Life Achievement award from City of Hope (2013)

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Honorary Doctorate from Irell & Manella Grad School of Biological Sciences (2014)

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The Academy of Achievement honor from the ART award committee (2020)

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Inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame (2022)

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Ellis Island Medal of Honor from Ellis Island Honors Society (2026)

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From Hollywood

To Your Home

Michael finds inspiration in the everyday world that surrounds him. It is no surprise that life in Los Angeles has affected his designs and the way he sees furniture.

In 2010, Michael brought celebrity into design through a collaboration with actress Jane Seymour. Capturing her elegance and the sparkle of Hollywood, Michael created an entirely new genre of furniture, dubbed “Glam”.

The success of his first celebrity collaboration prompted a second in 2017 with business mogul and former supermodel, Kathy Ireland. Michael capitalized on the popularity of rustic design. He and Kathy created their own line of contemporary rustic furniture, culminating in multiple popular collections.

In 2015, when Michael became President of American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, he immediately transformed the event into the “Academy Awards of Furniture”. It became a star studded affair with big names like Donnie Osmond, Rachel Ray, the Scott Brothers, and more. Attendance went up from 250 to upwards of 1500. In part due to this success, Michael was one of the few presidents to ever serve two consecutive years.

Michael Amini and Kathy Ireland

Michael accompanied by Donny Osmond at AHF Hall of Fame Gala

Michael Amini and Christopher Guy

Michael Amini with son Kian Amini on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival

Michael Amini and Kathy Ireland

Michael Amini and Jane Seymour

  

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