Sandra‘s Closet

For Milan Design Week 2024, Fornasetti unveils its surreal interpretation of one of the most welcoming spaces in the home: the dining room.

In this setting where nothing is ever as it seems, décor and objects merge in an effortless matching game between content and container, between furniture and the room that hosts it.

The Atelier’s collection of furniture and home accessories is enriched with new elements: storage furniture and polyhedral bar cabinets, tables boasting new shapes and materials, and chairs that seamlessly combine the charm of mid-century design with the comfort of upholstery. Incongruous and extravagant combinations give rise to new patterns and intricate images created with meticulous care and skill, simulating a hint of reality that is in fact pure design.

In Ceci n’est pas une salle à manger, the fusion of seemingly incompatible elements transforms the dining room into a theatre of surrealism, creating a world free of any conscious association, preconception, or specific intention. Fornasetti furniture and accessories introduce a unique perspective, where the boundaries of reality and fiction intertwine, creating an experience in which the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

ON THE EDGES OF REALITY
The new curved bar cabinet engages in a visual dialogue with the dining room, elegantly anticipating the decorated world hidden within. Inspired by Piero Fornasetti’s iconic interior design projects for the Pasticceria Dulciora and Casa Lucano in the 1950s, the buffet and curved bar cabinet transform the dining room into a fascinating setting with a surrealist twist.

TABLE ENTERTAINMENT
Fornasetti’s new dining tables are a tribute to the design and aesthetics of the 1950s. An array of scattered objects floating on the surface, and swirls of vivid colours are an irresistible invitation for the curious eye to get closer and discover hidden details.

An invitation to sit at Fornasetti’s surreal table. The iconic chair is enriched with high-quality jacquard fabric designed with bottles, cocktails and scattered objects that bring a touch of imagination and energy to the room.

A REDISCOVERED REPERTOIRE
The Atelier reissues its oval tray, an original model from the 1950s: an extraordinary, rediscovered repertoire, rich in expressive variations that accommodate the symbols of Fornasetti’s prolific hand and mind.

I am a huge Fornasetti fan and personally speaking love this new collection for the dining room.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Fornasetti
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Today, I would love to show you the perfect gift idea for every cat-loving fashionista. From Alessandro Michele‘s cat prints for Gucci, to Miucci Prada‘s Miu Miu collection, the runways are replete with feline fantasies.

LoL, Sandra

Cat-print cotton-jersey T-shirt by The Vampire’s Wife

Guardians printed tie-dyed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Miu Miu

Check fil-à-fil cat-print shirt by Miu Miu

Cat-print tulle-trim T-shirt by MSGM

Cat-print appliqué wool sweater by Charles Jeffrey Loverboy

Appliquéd organic printed cotton-jersey T-shirt and embroidered-cat floral-print satin cushion, both by Gucci

Oversized distressed printed cotton-jersey hoodie and oversized printed cotton-jersey T-shirt, both by Balenciaga

Cat-print pillow by Fornasetti

Chiavari cat-print chair by Gucci

Photo: © David Biedert Photography – Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

This week, Nicolas Ghesquière sent the models mingling with ancient Roman, Greek, and Etruscan sculptures to the tunes of Daft Punk’s mega-hit «Around the World» down the Louvre’s Denon wing for his Louis Vuitton F/W 2021 show without an audience due to the current pandemic.

The press release stated: «There’s no need to venture far to create the impression of traveling. It’s enough to reach far back… to the Golden Age, or Age of Enlightenment, eras that forged the essence of our civilization. Everything is expressed so purely in Greco-Roman antiquity, the acme of an aesthetic whose primacy is uncontested. More than a journey, Louis Vuitton embarks on an odyssey with a F/W 2021 collection that incorporates fabulous drawings by Fornasetti, the delicate, fanciful engravings of an enduring era. His imaginative strokes explore, illustrate and impart style. It’s also a story of conquest — of body, heart and mind — in which humankind takes centre stage, in all its functional elegance, intellectual dominance, and earthly seduction. The astonishment of age-old principles endures and continues to guide us, such as contrapposto, a stance that first appeared in the 6th century BC and lent statues a dynamic allure, which countless couture poses have reprised since and still denotes a certain stylistic tension in fashion.»

I absolutely loved how Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director of Women’s collections Nicolas Ghesquière has explored the unique creative world of renowned Italian artistic design atelier Fornasetti for the Maison’s F/W 2021 collection. The multifaceted collection showcases Fornasetti’s iconic hand-drawn imagery that has enchanted art and design lovers since Piero founded his atelier in 1940.

The collaboration begins with Nicolas Ghesquière’s F/W 2021 collection which integrates Fornasetti’s distinct visual universe into multiple designs. Unveiled in the spectacular setting of the Michelangelo and Daru Galleries in the Louvre, the collection with its Fornasetti images of antiquity builds a time-travelling aesthetic and creative dialogue with the museum’s remarkable array of Greek, Etruscan and Roman sculpture.

The collaborative designs in the F/W 2021 collection feature specific Fornasetti themes and artworks, selected by Nicolas Ghesquière in dialogue with Barnaba Fornasetti, the Artistic Director of the Fornasetti atelier, and their teams, from the 13,000-piece Fornasetti archive in Milan. These clothes and accessories use a rich combination of colours, textures and traditional, cutting-edge techniques including jacquard, embroidery and laser printing, intertwining Fornasetti’s exquisitely illustrated world with Nicolas Ghesquière’s strikingly contemporary design.

Highlights include velvet dresses, shiny printed jersey tops upon which Fornasetti drawings of ancient statues are overlaid on high-tech thermal-camera imagery, as well as fleece hooded jackets and tailoring pieces. Oversize outerwear pieces feature Fornasetti print both in a stamp inspired coloured version and, in a gold, coated version.

The show collection will be followed by a wider Louis Vuitton-Fornasetti capsule collection to be launched at a later date featuring a broader selection of Louis Vuitton products that draw on Fornasetti motifs, such as buildings, locks, keys and portraits. These include a captivating version of the Cannes bag in transformed leather, beautifully embellished with a Fornasetti black-and-white architectural drawing and reminiscent of the Renaissance-era Baptistery in Florence, and a reworked Petite Malle that seems to have been inflated and covered with a dome printed metallic leather, creating a striking optical illusion.

«With this collaboration, I wanted to use the pieces to evoke the continuing modernity of Fornasetti’s artistic world,» says Nicolas Ghesquière. «Fornasetti’s enduring body of work is the realisation of a remarkable hand-drawn technique and magical take on the world, and I am particularly drawn to the way Fornasetti re-explored and reworked the heritage of classicism and ancient Rome, adding new references to historical imagery. As a designer who has always loved fashion’s ability to evoke the past, present and future simultaneously, I wanted to add new layers to this creative palimpsest. Exploring the Fornasetti archives had the excitement of an archaeological dig, searching for and finding drawings from the past to give them a new life for Louis Vuitton – for now and the future.»

«My father was an innovator who believed in the handmade, just like Louis Vuitton,» says Barnaba Fornasetti, son of Piero Fornasetti, and the brand’s artistic director. «Our vision has always been to bring Fornasetti’s unique artistic imagination to people through beautifully crafted objects, and this rewarding collaboration represents a new opportunity to expand and explore its visual creativity.»

In all its facets, the Louis Vuitton-Fornasetti collaboration embodies the two Houses’ shared sense of experimental traditionalism: an effective blend of Louis Vuitton’s forward-looking creativity and craft and Fornasetti’s magical and visionary depiction of the world.

Personally speaking, I absolutely love it! Finally, a collection with creativity behind it. Something that has been missing lately…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
DISCLOSURE: This post is NOT sponsored. I am just loving it!

Doting love is when you are extremely and uncritically fond of someone, something a mother feels for her child. In German, we call this behavior «Affenliebe» which translates into monkey love. According to some scientists, these intense, special exchanges that human mothers share with their offspring might have deep roots all the way back in monkeys. Both species use the same gestures and affectionate behaviors towards their children. When I was a little girl, I learnt a lot about primates as my mother, who is the biggest animal rights activist you can imagine, is totally fond of those animals.

As Mother’s Day is coming up and the tropical trend is huge this summer, I would like to dedicate today’s post to all those amazing fashionable pieces featuring those cute little monkeys. I am sure that not only my mum will go bananas seeing them.

And in case you are wondering why I didn’t call the post «monkey love», here is the answer. In the urban dictionary this expression stands for crazy animalistic sex requiring acrobatic poise. It can also be termed «monkey lovin‘». Isn’t it funny how you can go wrong just translating a word correctly?

LoL, Sandra

Monkey-print halterneck silk top by Bottega Veneta

Monkey crystal-embellished brooch by Erdem

Sequinned monkey-appliqué wool-blend dress by Valentino

Monkey diamond, opal, silver & 18kt gold earrings by Bibi van der Velden

Jungle-appliqué embroidered knit sweater by Valentino

Monkeys Forest print poplin dress by Valentino
Monkey-appliquéd T-shirt by Valentino

Monkey print twill cape by Burberry

Scarf tie point-toe mules by Burberry

Monkey print chain-strap cardholder by Burberry

Killer monkey print swimsuit by Dsquared2

Medium monkey jacquard TB shoulder bag by Burberry

Drawstring monkey print jacket by Burberry

Soleia printed cotton-voile pajama set by Desmond & Dempsey

Scimmie Thyme, Lavender and Cedarwood scented candle by Fornasetti

Avantgardening satin bedding by Christian Fischbacher

Equateur wallpaper by Hermès

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands
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You might spend a significant portion of your day at your desk. So it’s probably a good idea to make it a place that looks as fashionable as you. Let me promise you one thing, having a nice desk is extremely powerful and it will make you feel more positive and creative about your work.

Pencil case and measuring tape set by FENDI
Fendi’s pink stationery set will make a feminine and preppy addition to your day-to-day routine. Crafted in Italy from butter-soft leather, it consists a compact pencil case with a zipped top and black canvas lining and is hallmarked with a polished gold-toned F logo plaque that echoes the measuring tape – note the push button and soft retractable tape.

Cork and stainless steel globe by BRUNELLO CUCINELLO
Keep track of your world travels with this khaki-brown globe from Brunello Cucinelli’s classic homeware collection. It’s crafted by artisans in Italy from a combination of natural cork and stainless steel, then lasered to depict a map of the world, which can be marked with the provided pins. Perfect for your desk for textural appeal.

Cobra brass bookends by HOUSE OF HACKNEY
Depicting the label’s eclectic sensibilities, these brass cobra bookends reference the serpent as the guardian of sacred spaces. They’re hand-painted in gold, green and black tones to accentuate the sculptural shape and realistic texture of the engraved scales. 

Intrecciato-leather letter holder by BOTTEGA VENETA
Look to Bottega Veneta’s brown letter holder for a refined homeware piece for your desk. It’s woven with the label’s signature Intrecciato technique, and crafted with two sections defined with sculptural separators that increase in height.

Gekko gold-plated magnifying glass by L’OBJET
This 24kt gold-plated gekko magnifying glass is crafted with red Swarovski-crystal set into the eyes, and set with a rounded magnifying lens. Keep it on a desk next to other equally statement-making pieces.

Deco pen-shell paperweight by BLUE CARREON
This black and gold paperweight features elongated stripes across the curved body that take inspiration from the simplicity of Art Deco interiors. It’s crafted by hand with inlays of natural cracked pen shell to offset the polished gold-tone metal hardware. Use it to bring a decorative, vintage accent to your desk.

Eye-print porcelain tray by GUCCI
Gucci’s exquisitely crafted white tray takes the shape of a pair of hands held closely together to create a cupped silhouette. It’s made from Richard Ginori porcelain, adorned with pink tassels and decorated with an alluring eye print framed by red lightning bolts and yellow stars. Place it on your desk to hold trinkets.

Brass letter opener by CARL AUBÖCK
Handmade from polished brass, the sophisticated piece has a flat edge on one side and features a looping grip on the other to double up as a bookmark.

Valentina large velvet photo frame by AERIN
Aerin’s green Valentina photo frame is from the label’s romantic velvet collection. It’s crafted with a wide border and gold-plated brass edges for an elegant mood. Choose it to display your most cherished memories.

Popotin ceramic vase by ANISSA KERMICHE
This grey speckled ceramic Popotin vase will bring a joyful note to minimalist or maximalist interiors alike. It takes the shape of a woman’s derrière with a tactile uneven surface and is finished with a printed logo on the base. Place it on your desk as an artistic flourish.

Milan cube box by BLUE CARREON
This cube box is crafted using stone inlays by artisan craftsmen in the Philippines, showcasing the eponymous designer’s love for naturally occurring materials. Spruce up your desk by using it as an aesthetically pleasing organiser.

Intrecciato leather paper basket by BOTTEGA VENETA
Crafted from the house’s hallmark Intrecciato handwoven leather, this brown paper basket imparts Bottega Veneta’s discerning and contemporary aesthetic. Let it bring an artisanal riff to a simple desk setting.

Rossetti Flora-scented porcelain diffusing sphere by FORNASETTI
This diffusing sphere offers floral notes of ivy, lily of the valley iris and sandalwood and is housed in an elegant porcelain vase, printed with a Pop Art rendition of Lina Cavalieri’s lips – opera singer and the house’s enduring muse. Place it as focal point of your work space and let it fill your desk with the welcoming scent.

I hope that you have enjoyed my ideas for your desk …

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Piero Fornasetti was an illustrious sculptor, interior designer, graphic artist and painter, immortalizing muse Lina Cavalieri in his work. Continuing the tradition, his son Barnaba and perfumer Olivier Polge have created evocative home fragrances, beautifully housed in handcrafted ceramic vessels.

Perfect to have on your parlor coffee table! Those scented candles smell truly amazingly, my favourites! Keep the ceramic vessels as they make a beautiful ornament for your home even after the 60-hours burn time has elapsed.

LoL, Sandra

La Femme Aux Moustaches Thyme, Lavender and Cedarwood scented candle

Sardine Thyme, Lavender and Cedarwood scented candle

Burlesque Thyme, Lavender and Cedarwood scented candle

L’Ape Thyme, Cedarwood and Lavender scented candle

Sun and Moon Thyme, Lavender and Cedarwood scented candle

Ortensia Rose, Iris and Orange Blossom scented candle

Scimmie Thyme, Lavender and Cedarwood scented candle
Stills: Courtesy of Fornasetti, Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Boost your autumn weekend with a last-minute treat from this edit. After four weeks of fashion craziness, I finally slept in in my beloved satin-crepe pajama set by Donna Karan Sleepwear. Today, I will enjoy to the fullest in this cozy bleached out slub jersey jumpsuit by Eberjey.

While the amazing smell of a scented candle by Fornasetti starts already filling my living room, I snuggle on the couch with this hardcover book ‘The World According to Karl‘ published by Thames & Hudson and listen to the 53 Sound by Visionaire. Later I will treat myself with my beloved jasmine and lily healing mask by Chantecaille and prepare some posts for next week. Pure heaven! And no photos today….

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Let me introduce you to my latest beauty musts. It is all about roses…

1 Flora rose, iris and orange blossom scented candle by FORNASETTI
My first step of a beauty routine is the calming scent of a candle. This one I love. Its delicate aroma of white rose and jasmine, inspired by the Fornasetti gardens in Milan is divine. I like to keep the ceramic vessel to store jewelry and small trinkets.

2 Rose de Vie – Sérum Délicat, 30ml by DR. SEBAGH
Lightweight and beautifully scented, this serum is the quickest way to a fresh and youthful glow.

3 A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser, 500ml by AESOP
Fragranced with Rose Damascene Flower Oil and enriched with softening botanicals, it’s the perfect shower gel that will envelop you with a feeling of well-being and help to keep you focused through even the most manic of days.

4 Baume De Rose Lip Protectant by BY TERRY
My personal daily essential. The signature formula is enriched with softening Rose Flower Essential Wax and healing Shea Butter, simply dab it on to instantly soothe and plump your lips.

LoL, Sandra

Hello to my readers from Switzerland! Fancy a party with perfumes and art installations? Perfumery Osswald and Bolero Magazine would like to take you on an olfactory journey on Thursday, October 13th, 2011, from 7-11pm at the Papiersaal, Sihlcity, Zurich and they have invited some famous noses for this event.

Six Scents from NY – (Kaya Sorhaindo & Joseph Quartana)
Andrea Maack from Reykjavik – (Andrea Maack & Gisli)
Bloodconcept from Milano – (Antonio Zuddas & Giovanni Castelli)
Maison Francis Kurkdjian from Paris – (Francis Kurkdjian & Marc Chaya)
Humiecki & Graef from Cologne – (Sebastian Fischenich)
Fornasetti from London – (Laurent Delafon)

The Six Scents Lounge will offer some treats und refreshments to delight all of your senses.
Tickets are available at www.boleromagazin.ch, CHF 30 per person.

See you there!

LoL, Sandra