Top Italian designer Matteo Alessi will open Corks first design week tonight, starting a week of events celebrating design. Mr. Alessi is the fourth generation of his family to run the famous Alessi design house. Dubbed "the dream factory" his firm is one of the great engines of design in the world, producing numerous design classics, especialy in kitchenware.

He is also famous for his Alessi Watches, Il Telefono Alessi, Il Bagno Alessi bathrooms and La Cucina Alessi kitchens, which will be unveiled later this year.Design Week organisers called his attendance at the opening a major coup for the city's first such event. Highlights will include movies, exhibitions and the chair made famous by profumo affair girl Christine Keeler's famous pose.Held in association with Bombay Sapphire, Design Week is a nationwide festival of homegrown design. But this is the frist year where Corks designer's have staged their own events.

"We wanted Cork's week to celebrate Ireland's fastest changing city centre with a festival of events designed to celebrate the city's ongoing rejuvenation" Cork Design Week chairman Marc O'Riain said. The success of the city's designers and architects in winning many awards and realising great work has signalled a new beginning for Cork design and we are really thrilled to have Matteo here to open the event".

Five exhibitions at the ESB sub-station in Caroline Street, a film festival in the Gate cinema, walking tours, the Bombay Sapphire shortlist for cocktail glass design, and a street furniture design compettion sponsored by Frinailla Developments, are among the highlights. "We looked for innovative and contemporary street furniture designs and we have been delighted with the response" said Mr. O Riain.

A shortlist of three has been drawn up and the winner will be announced during the festival."We then hope to get the winning design made and located in the city where the designer intended" he added. An exhibition of 100 years of chairs will take place at the ESB sub-station in Caroline Street.Design Week runs until Saturday. More details can be found on www.designweekcork.com .