Dany Brawand

Dany Brawand, born in 1934 in Vevey, Switzerland, embarked on a notable career in automotive design despite not having formal technical training. His entry into the field began in 1952 when he joined the Ghia-Aigle workshop, a pivotal establishment in Swiss automotive design at the time. At Ghia-Aigle, the renowned Giovanni Michelotti was the chief designer, a position that would have a lasting influence on Brawand’s development as a designer.

In late 1956, Michelotti, overwhelmed by the increasing workload in Turin, decided to leave Ghia-Aigle. In his place, the workshop appointed Pietro Frua as the new chief designer. Undeterred, Brawand reached out to Michelotti, asking for a job in Turin, and Michelotti agreed to bring him on board. It was under Michelotti’s guidance that Brawand began learning the basics of automotive design, an area in which he had no formal education. This experience, while foundational, helped Brawand refine his design sensibilities and provided him with invaluable mentorship.

In late 1959, Michelotti opened his own small workshop, focusing on building prototypes and securing important design consultancy contracts with major car manufacturers. Brawand became an integral part of this team and was entrusted with leading several projects. However, Brawand’s career took a controversial turn when he decided to continue working on production models for Moretti, one of the companies with which Michelotti had a professional relationship. In fact, Brawand went as far as selling some of his own designs directly to Moretti, bypassing Michelotti’s approval. When Michelotti discovered this, he fired Brawand from the team.

In 1965, after his dismissal from Michelotti’s workshop, Brawand transitioned to a more permanent role at Moretti. By 1966, he became head of development and design at the company, marking a new chapter in his career. Despite the tumultuous events in his professional life, Brawand continued to shape the automotive landscape, contributing to the design and development of several key vehicles during his time at Moretti.