The son of architect Carlo Scarpa, Tobia Scarpa was born and has spent his career in Italy. He collaborated with his wife, Afra, on designs for nearly every major international company, including Flos, Cassina, Knoll and B&B. Together they developed a vocabulary for accessible luxury design based on expanding technology and a wide variety of materials.

Scarpa was commissioned, along with Pier Castiglioni, to design the first models for the lighting company Flos started by Dino Gavina. The Scarpas also worked in commercial architecture and interior design, especially later in their career. Some of their best-known work was for the Benetton clothing company.