Sandra‘s Closet

The Florentine fashion house reveals a new publication «Unexpected Pucci», edited by Laudomia Pucci and published by Rizzoli New York. A book narrating the world of Emilio Pucci beyond fashion by presenting key projects explored in the field of interior design and art from the 1960s to present.

The introduction is signed by Suzy Menkes, editor of Vogue International, followed by the valuable contributions of independent journalist Angelo Flaccavento, architect and designer Piero Lissoni and artists Francesco Vezzoli and Joana Vasconcelos.

«Unexpected Pucci defines the designer’s wider world, encompassing colorful rugs, modernist porcelain, furniture and interior design – all in the spirit of the early years of Milan’s Salone del Mobile. Perhaps the easiest artistic flow was in the rugs, where blocks, swirls and linear shapes were contained inside a geometric square – just like in the famous “Emilio” head scarves, as worn by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the Capri set. Bringing things together—history and modernity, linear and rounded, pattern and plain – were all part of the artistry of Emilio Pucci. His prints stamped their place on the body or in the home». – Suzy Menkes

The brand’s artistic journey – from Mediterranean colours and silk scarves to ground-breaking
partnerships with international leaders of art and design – is told through chapters covering rugs,
porcelains, art and collaborations.

An archive treasure rediscovered. The Pucci rugs, first launched at the Museum of Decorative Arts,
Buenos Aires in 1970 have been reissued in the brand’s historic prints (Ovali, Occhi, Giardino,
Lamborghini, Menelik and Hawaii) available through a bespoke service at the Emilio Pucci Heritage Hub.

A dedicated chapter to chinaware, includes masterpieces made in collaboration with Rosenthal, where iconic prints (including the «unexpected» Pebble motif) adorn coffee and tea sets, vases and plates.

The final chapter of the book chronicles the brand’s collaborations and partnerships with leading brands of homeware and interior design. With Bisazza, Emilio Pucci turned prints into handmade decorative panels for interiors and swimming pools. Whereas unique seating solutions have been produced with Cappellini, including the Rive Droite armchair designed by Patrick Norguet, and the poolside collection by Piero Lissoni. With Kartell, the Florentine brand in 2014 launched the iconic Madame chair, designed by Philippe Starck. In 2016, the patterns from the Pucci’s project «Cities of The World» embellished the cups designed by Matteo Thun in 1991 for Illy.

To celebrate the launch of the book, an installation will be set up in Palazzo Pucci – also known as the Emilio Pucci Heritage Hub (via de’ Pucci 6, Florence), – where key elements from the book will be exhibited in a labyrinth inspired by the graphic and unexpected Torre print. Key highlights will include, chinaware, rugs and never-before exhibited artworks inspired by the founder Emilio Pucci.

«With this book, we want to narrate the versatility and the universe of our brand. These objects have overtime embellished key moments of our fashion house and I’m excited to share the creative richness of these deluxe collaborations, especially with the younger generation. » – Laudomia Pucci

Unexpected Pucci will be available September 2019 in all Emilio Pucci boutiques and online store as well as in the Rizzoli networks. Price 90 $| 90$ Euro.

I will be soon in Florence and cannot wait to discover this beautiful universe of one of my favorite brands. To read an interview that I did with Laudomia Pucci many years ago, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Emilio Pucci

«An important part of my life designing installations, spaces and experiences is actually spent putting out fires! I thought it was time to celebrate that fire…and help put the Art World on fire too! So I chose to show only burnt art and art relating to fire from the fantastic Gmurzynska collection, and create for these an environment that is pop and thematic, inspired by the beautiful look of fire stations, as a boy dreaming of them, pop and joyful, yet modern, minimal and fairly neutral, to enhance the viewing of such important art. It is made of traditional industrial materials, lacquered diamond steel plates and fire extinguishers, but reinterpreted to serve their new purpose in a luxurious manner.» Alexandre de Betak

Having presented a Karl Lagerfeld designed booth in 2011 at FIAC, Galerie Gmurzynska – the leading international art gallery specializing in masterpieces of both classic modern and post-war art – is returning to the fair with a visionary installation by French designer, scenographer and creative director Alexandre de Betak, who is mostly known for his involvement in the production of Victoria’s Secret shows, which he has producing and choreographing for many years.

Sketch by Karl Lagerfeld, FIAC 2011, Galerie Gmurzynska’s booth design

2003 marked de Betak’s debut in design, when he created an acrylic glass bookshelf and a leather bench with French design house Domeau & Perez. Moreover, he is known for various collaborations with important museums, among others the MOCA in Los Angeles and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Preparatory rendering by Alexandre de Betak, FIAC 2018

Since its discovery, fire has been the propelling force of innovation, civilization and ultimately cultural advancement. Artists throughout the history of art have been drawn to its ethereal power to destroy, create, cleanse and illuminate.

Roberto Matta, Les Fumoïsses, 1973

The survey exhibition «On Fire» will include a diverse list of artists using or depicting fire in all forms throughout the 20th Century, from Joan Miró to Otto Piene, Yves Klein, Alberto Burri, Roberto Matta up to Tom Wesselmann and others. A booklet with an introduction by Germano Celant will be accompanying the exhibition.

Mathias Rastorfer at the booth with Alexandre de Betak

Isabelle Bscher at the opening party with Francesco Vezzoli

On Wednesday evening, the opening party of the gallery took place next to the Seine with a huge fire installation by Alexandre de Betak. The gallery owners Isabelle Bscher, Krystyna Gmurzynska and Mathias Rastorfer and star designer Alexandre de Betak welcomed actor Vincent Cassel, not only since his role as Vincent van Gogh in «Loving Vincent», an art fanatic, Parisian model and author Caroline de Maigret, star photographer Ellen von Unwerth, hotel guru André Balazs and actor and artist André Saraiva, the u.a. also designed for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tiffany and Converse, the Italian concept artist and filmmaker («Multimedia Popartist»), Francesco Vezzoli and Michel Gaubert, the best sound designer in the fashion world with clients such as Gucci, Fendi, Jil Sander, Roberto Cavalli, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Chanel.

Galerie Gmurzynska @ FIAC: OCTOBER 18 – 21, 2018 Booth 0.C24
When the world of fashion meets the world of art, there is fire…

LoL, Sandra

André Balazs and André Saraiva

Ellen von Unwerth

Vincent Cassel

Photos: Courtesy of Galerie Gmurzysnka

At the moment, I am in Paris for many exciting events and I have so much to show you. Let me get you started with this:

Welcome to Prada’s “24 h Museum“, designed by Francesco Vezzoli with AMO, Rem Koolhaas‘ think tank. It has been open in Paris for 24 hours only, from yesterday till today in the historic Palais d’Iéna, the building designed by Auguste Perret between 1936 and 1946, today home of CESE (Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental), the French ‘third Chamber’.

Miuccia Prada & Francesco Vezzoli

AMO’s installation for the “24 h Museum“ is divided in three sections, each inspired by a particular type of museum space: historic, contemporary and forgotten. The three sections are instrument to the sequence of events that take place during 24 hours in different areas of the ground floor of the Palais d’Iéna. The central space is a large metal cage made from grills and neon lights that encloses the work by Francesco Vezzoli.

In the three sections – historic, contemporary and forgotten – Vezzoli is creating a “non-existent museum“ where he shows his personal tribute to the eternal allure of femininity through interpretations of classical sculptures that make reference to contemporary divas.

At the top of the stairway, epicentre of the building, Vezzoli is placing a majestic sculpture of a female, reinterpreted with the features of a mysterious goddess. Vezzoli’s vision is of a museum that exists for just 24 hours and which is also a celebration of a collective rite that mixes visitors, red-carpet, Oedipus’ complex and night visions.

Yesterday night, the museum turned into a disco-club where I spotted Kate Moss who was djing and Dita von Teese who was rushing through the exhibition. Different events will be following the next few hours.

LoL, Sandra

Kate Moss

Don’t we just love Caroline Issa’s Prada earrings?!

A very special moment: A happy Anna Wintour with Jonathan Newhouse and Franca Sozzani.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Courtesy of Prada