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Visionary Designer
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.
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.
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.
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
Family Foundations and Early Influences
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 elegance taught him to appreciate beauty and quality, the hallmarks of his brand. Additionally, his talented aunt, who was in the luxury fashion business, introduced Michael to children's fashion at a young age.
Fashion and Family
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. 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.
His mother's influence was just as significant, nurturing in him a keen eye for elegance and a passion for design that goes beyond the ordinary. 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.
His mother's influence was just as significant, nurturing in him a keen eye for elegance and a passion for design that goes beyond the ordinary. 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.
European Influences and Architectural Inspiration
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 elegance of Victorian mansions would later become the inspiration for some of his most coveted furniture collections.
From Engineer to Design Pioneer: The Early Breakthrough
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. Whilst 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.
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.
Michael launched Amini Innovation Corporation (AICO) in 1988. He rented a single door, 250-square-foot warehouse and bought a used pickup truck.
Michael launched Amini Innovation Corporation (AICO) in 1988. He rented a single door, 250-square-foot warehouse and bought a used pickup truck.
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.
Outpacing his storage space, he rapidly expanded the property to 13000-square-feet.
1995: Explosive Growth
AICO moved into a 23,000-square-foot warehouse in Santa Fe Springs. Within a couple years, that same location had expanded to 90,000-square-feet.
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 a new office building with an attached 300,000-square-foot warehouse.
2003: Award-Winning Headquarters
In 2003, AICO officially completed construction and moved into their new headquarters, a monumental structure that won the Excellence in Design and Innovation award from the city of Pico Rivera.
Present: Global Success
The company has continued to flourish, greatly expanding its operations overseas and online. AICO sees success in both Michael's traditional hits and his more contemporary transitional collections, all while maintaining its status as a leading innovative figure in the furniture industry.
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