Wonder World Seasonal #20

D E S I G N | A R T | F A S H I O N | F O O D | T R A V E L | S P A

WONDER WORLD SEASONAL

THE UNIQUE ITALIAN LIFESTYLE

QUARTERLY - P.I. 21/09/2017 International € 10, Chf 10,50, UK £ 7,50 - Poste Italiane S.p.a. - Spedizione in Abbonamento Postale - 70% - LO/MI

FALL 2017 ISSUE no. 20

DESIGN D.O.M Hotel in Rome

FALL TIME Six Italian art cities viewed from exclusive rooftops

FASHION The Italian Touch Il Bisonte

FOOD A group of talented chefs Chocolate and marron glacés

THE SILK ROAD TOUR DES VOYAGES COLLECTION

misha handmadewallpaper MILANO - SHANGHAI - MOSCA - ISTANBUL - PARIGI - LONDRA - MADRID - TAIPEI

www.mishawallpaper.com

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

UNDER THE HIGH PATRONAGE OF HIS HIGHNESS ALBERT II OF MONACO

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editorial

S

ome colours belong to autumn - the strong, dazzling hues of summer give way to the warm, more restrained shades of this wonderful season. The flavours change, too, influencing our behaviour as we experience a gradual transition into a

colder, more decisive winter. In this issue of Wonder World Seasonal we encapsulate the characteristics of autumn, starting with our cover, where our continuing collaboration with Misha Wallpaper offers tasteful, delicate images. Our tale opens with khaki, fruit of the season. The warm tones of foliage, wine, chestnuts and chocolate, flavourful places to visit all year round that become an even greater draw at this time of year, hotels with terraces providing a view of skylines and sunsets throughout the year that turn off their lights in autumn in anticipation of shorter days and longer nights, and the most intriguing exhibitions in Italy and around the world - plus, as always, stories that lie behind the creation of a brand, or have nurtured the soul of a place inspired by passion and a desire to give and to share - an entire lifestyle, in fact.

The Made in Italy theme runs throughout our magazine, starting with the quality of the products on our tables or that we wear, and moving on to the destinations we describe. To browse through on warm days, though there may not be many left!

Matteo Galbiati CEO Platinum Media Lab

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PLOUM divano. Design: Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. www.ligne-roset.com

contents

28

7

Editorial

14

5 Questions for‌ Chiara Pisa

16 Art

20 News in brief 24 Style

58

From cognac to red

28

Fashion Italian touch Discreet luxury

34

Spa hotel Milan The beauty of the rising sun

38 Beauty

Nature meets hi-tech

40 Beauty

Acqua dell’Elba, essence of the sea

42

Wine Spa Piemonte Beautiful Langhe

42 60

46

Fall time Enjoying a unique view of Italian art cities from the

rooftops of 5-stars hotels

66 54 Watches

Ladies and gentlemen

58 Jewels

Foliage color inspiration

60 Being in the world Wellness & Design

66

Luxury hotel Tuscany The pearl of Versilia

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RTCURIAL

PRESTIGIOUS AUCTIONS IN MONACO July 2017 - January 2018 Important Watches msanna@artcurial.com Jewellery jvalade@artcurial.com

Monaco office 6 avenue des Citronniers 98000 Monaco +377 97 77 51 99 monaco@artcurial.com

Hermès Summer Collection pblanckaert@artcurial.com Pierre Hardy, 2017.

Created for Artcurial

contents 114

72

Luxury hotel Friuli Venezia Giulia

Luxury wine resort

76 Luxury rental 80 Destinations 110

Exclusive Zanzibar

86

Italian chef

A group of talented chefs

94

Mise en place

The city on the table

96

Seasonal food

Chocolate and marron glacĂŠs

100

Buen retiro Lombardia

A large family

104

Country boutique hotel Sicily

On the slopes of Etna

110

Historic cellar

86

106

96

114 Wine

116

122

94

128

Ferrari Trento, the best of Italian Bollicine

After the harvest

A family affair Emperor Melpignano

Design hotel Rome The colours of elegance

DĂŠcor design Eastern tales

132 Event

Monaco Yacht Show

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5 questions for...

Chiara Fiorentino, managing director of Pisa Orologeria, talks about the changes affecting her family traditions Paolo De Vecchi

1

Chiara Fiorentino, you are the third generation of the family to take the helm of Pisa Orologeria in Milan. Did you assume this position more from a sense of responsibility to the dynasty or from a vocation for the work? Both, it’s hard to differentiate, but I’d say passion more than vocation. This passion has been handed down through the generations, and I breathed it in every day working beside my mother and aunt - they’re my professional and personal role models.

Pisa is also much more than a surname, it’s part of my identity, so it’s natural to feel responsibility.

2

Your mother, Maristella Pisa, your aunt Grazia and grandfather Ugo you grew up in watchmaking. What do you remember most about this

apprenticeship? I remember the desire always to be there for staff and clients. I remember the enthusiasm that accompanied every new project, but also the difficult moments when my family and the company were fixed points, places of shelter where I could find peace. An entrepreneur’s apprenticeship is a long process with few certainties and many challenges to be faced with strength and determination, investing in the future, placing the good of the company before that of personal benefits, in the knowledge that growth involves risk.

3

Given the position you currently occupy, we would imagine that at a certain point you made a definite decision to move in that direction. When did you start to think about this path, and why? After working for TAG Heuer, which enabled

me to gain an insider’s view of the dynamics of a historic watchmaking brand, I officially joined Pisa Orologeria in 2006 and I’ve been able to see how every department works. Two years later, in 2008, we opened the Patek Philippe and Rolex boutiques, two crucial events in the Pisa Orologeria story that reshaped it completely. In 2012, following a restructuring of the owner company, I became general director. I agreed to take on this new role in the knowledge that I was at the helm of a company in a state of total transformation. It had solid foundations, but needed a new, updated vision that could interpret the dynamics of an increasingly competitive market. It was, and still is, a fascinating challenge.

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From the bottega of your grandfather, Ugo Pisa, to the shop managed by your aunt and mother, Grazia and Mariastella Pisa, with the collaboration of Fabio Bertini, to the Multistore you are now personally responsible for - what has been your experience of these significant changes in the watch market, and what are your thoughts on it? I’m lucky, I have excellent teachers and a long history I can draw

inspiration from and fall back on during delicate periods, when it’s necessary to take important decisions. All companies are constantly evolving, the challenge is to embrace change without ever betraying your essence. In Pisa Orologeria we can summarise our identity in three concepts: above all, the welcome we offer. Our clients are the centre of business model, so they also influence the layout of the sales spaces. That explains our choice of a refined interior that’s also warm, open and structured, facilitating encounter and dialogue. Then innovation, investing in the sales points is essential, but not enough on its own - you have to integrate with the most advanced technology, creating faster, more effective communications addressing a huge audience that stretches well beyond national boundaries. Finally, versatility. We design our spaces not only as places for selling, but also as instruments narrating our world. The second floor of our Flagship Store is now a location that can host exhibitions and events in collaborations with other entities, including those outside our sector, that share our values.

5

What are the most obvious and important contributions resulting from your arrival at the top of Pisa Orologeria?

Are there any other projects on the horizon? I’ve tried to keep to the course set by my predecessors, providing a personal touch to

our approach to the client, knocking down the formal barriers that often create a negative image in our sector and the luxury market in general. The Milan Flagship Store in via Verri was the first big project that I promoted strongly and whose development I then supervised. I’m fascinated by communications, and that’s why I try to digitalise the company whenever possible. We’re now present on the social networks, we have a site that’s easy to navigate and we’re about to launch an app dedicated to the Pisa world, so we’re always in contact with our clients. From a strictly commercial point of view, I’ve tried to update our portfolio, offering our clients emerging brands at the cutting edge of the sector. I also feel strongly about enhanced technical assistance - every sales point has its own workshop. Pisa Orologeria began life as a repair workshop, so remembering the past once again means mapping out a future that reflects our history.

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Pisa Orolgeria offers many sales spaces and private rooms

Chiara Fiorentino with her mother Maristella Pisa.

Below, the entrance and display windows on Via Verri, in the centre of Milan

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art

Teddy Sandoval Las Locas Collection of Paul Polubinskas

WORLD Veronica De Andreis

TAKASHI MURAKAMI. UNDER THE RADIATION FALLS

LOS ANGELES

MOSCOW

AXIS MUNDO: QUEER NETWORKS IN CHICANO L.A.

The exhibition is the first major survey of Takashi

The exhibition, realised in collaboration with the

Murakami’s work in Russia, spanning several periods of

Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles for the

the artist’s career from the mid-1990s to the present,

Getty Foundation’s Pacific Standard Time, brings

and includes a number of new works. Developed in close of five sections, each of which explores a particular

BASEL

phenomenon in Japanese culture and presents a variety

PAUL KLEE

collaboration with the artist, the exhibition consists

of works ( paintings, drawings, installations and films)

together undiscovered works by a groundbreaking group of over 50 artists, between the late 1960s and early 1990s, and explore the context of significant artistic and cultural movements: a period bookended

The upcoming retrospective dedicated to the Swiss

from public and private collections. This homage to

by the rise of Chicano Civil Rights, gay liberation,

artist will present around 100 works from throughout

the playful artist’s world will take place as part of the

feminist movements, fashion culture, punk music

Klee’s career, starting in 1913, bringing together

Year of Japan in Russia.

and the AIDS crisis.

major masterpieces and rarely exhibited works

Curated by Katya Inozemtseva

Curated by C. Ondine Chavoya and David Evans

that present the artist in a surprising new light. The

Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Frantz - MOCA Pacific Design Center

exhibition is devoted to Klee’s abstract production.

Until February 4, 2018

Until December 31, 2017 www.moca.org

works, a previously little-explored aspect of his artistic

www.garagemca.org

production. The Fondation Bayeler museum, designed

by Renzo Piano, is one of the world’s most important art museums. It is now making Ernst and Hildy Beyeler’s legendary art collection accessible to the public.

© 2001 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Fondation Beyeler From October 1, 2017 to January 21, 2018 www.fondationbeyeler.ch

POT-POURRI FROM PICASSO TO VALDÉS Italian and international art of the 20th Century fronts the upcoming exhibition at Fondazione Gabriele and Anna Braglia. This new collection, never before shown to the public, described through the personal and individual gaze of the two passionate collectors and comprises 100 works by the most significant names of

©Adrien Dirand

the 1900s, featuring a list of fifty artists that includes Chagall, Modigliani, Miró, Christo, Warhol, Utrillo, Botero, Mitoraj, Picasso divided into ten thematic sections.

Curated by Gaia Regazzoni Jäggli Fondazione Gabriele and Anna Braglia From September 28 until December 16, 2017 www.fondazionebraglia.ch

PARIS

LUGANO

who succeeded him, from Saint Laurent to Maria Grazia Chiuri. A selection of over 300 haute couture gowns designed between 1947 and the present.

Curated by Olivier Gabet, Florence Müller Musée des Arts Décoratifs - Until January 7, 2018 www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr

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Pr oL itt er

a new retrospective exploration, displaying the universe of Christian Dior and the six illustrious couturiers

© 20 17,

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs celebrates the 70th anniversary of the creation of the House of Dior with

is, Zu ric h

CHRISTIAN DIOR. DESIGNER OF DREAMS

ITALY

art

A SPECIAL FEATURE ON ART EVENTS IN ITALY

VENICE, PALAZZO DUCALE “Treasure of the Mughals and the Maharajas: The Al Thani Collection”. For the first time in Italy, the renowned exhibition of Indian gems and jewels from The Al Thani Collection.

Until January 3, 2018 www.palazzoducale.visitmuve.it ROVERETO, MART presents “An Eternal Beauty” extraordinary exhibition of absolute masterpieces of early 20th century Italian art. (1) Until November 5, 2017 www.mart.trento.it MILAN, PIRELLI HANGAR BICOCCA this autumn will open the show Lucio Fontana’s “Environments”. (3) Until January 15, 2018 www.hangarbicocca.org MILAN, MUDEC “KLIMT Experience” a multi-sensory exhibition of the Gustave Klimt’s enigmatic and sensual world. (2) Until January 7, 2018 - www.mudec.it MILAN, PALAZZO REALE “Dentro Caravaggio-Inisde Caravaggio” a tribute to the great Master. (6) From September 29, 2017 to January 28, 2018 www.palazzo reale.it MANTOVA, PALAZZO TE “Textile as art: Antonio Ratti, Entrepreneur and Patron” celebrates the art and work of Antonio Ratti and shows textiles in their various forms. (5) From October 1st, 2017 to January 7, 2018 www.centropalazzote.it FLORENCE, PIAZZA SIGNORIA “Urs Fischer In Florence 2017” his sculptures dispayed on Arengario di Palazzo Vecchio and Big Clay #4 in Piazza della Signoria. (4) Until January 21, 2018 18

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ROME, GAGOSIAN GALLERY presents “Iron Levels” new works by Davide Balula, for his first exhibition in Rome. (7) Until November 18, 2017 - www.gagosian.com ROME, MAXXI “Zaha Hadid in Italy” one year since her untimely death, the museum devotes to Hadid an exhibition focused on her projects in Italy.

Until January 14, 2018 - www.maxxi.art

NAPLES, MADRE NAPOLI CONTEMPORARY ART AT MUSEO MADRE: “The Man Measuring the Clouds” the iconic work of Jan Fabre.

Until December19, 2017 And Darren Bader (@MINED_OUD) exhibition.

From October 14, 2017 to April, 2018 www.madrenapoli.it

ITALY

FLORENCE THE CINQUECENTO IN FLORENCE FROM MICHELANGELO AND PONTORMO TO GIAMBOLOGNA This remarkable exhibition, brings together for the first time a collection of absolute masterpieces by Michelangelo, Andrea del Sarto, Rosso Fiorentino, Pontormo, Bronzino,

in Florence, a exhibition devoted to the art of the second half of the 16th century in the city, an extraordinary age for the history of art in Florence, influenced by Francesco I de’ Medici, one of the greatest figures in the history of courtly patronage of the arts in Europe.

Curated by Carlo Falciani, Antonio Natali Palazzo Strozzi - Until January 21, 2018 www.palazzostrozzi.org

Skull with Squirrel (2017) Photographer: Pat Verbruggen Copyright: Angelos bvba

VENICE

JAN FABRE GLASS AND BONE SCULPTURES 1977–2017

Giovanni Boldini “Giovane paggio che gioca con un levriero “ 1869 courtesy Società di Belle Arti - Viareggio

over seventy paintings and sculptures. The Cinquecento

Pontormo “ Deposition” Florence, Church of Santa Felicita

Giorgio Vasari, Santi di Tito and Giambologna, through

PISTOIA

The Belgian artist Jan Fabre is back in Venice with a new

GIOVANNI BOLDINI LA STAGIONE DELLA FALCONIERA THE FALCONIERA SEASON

project especially designed for the spaces of the Abbey of San

During Pistoia’s year of Italian Capital of Culture

Gregorio, among the collateral events of the Biennale Arte

2017, this small Tuscan city celebrates the highly

2017. The exhibition presents an unprecedented selection

distinctive Ferrara-born artist Giovanni Boldini, the

of over forty works in glass and human and animal bones

most important international portrait painter of the

produced by Jan Fabre between 1977 and 2017. The artist

Belle Époque. The exhibition explores and rediscovers

choose and bring togheter two hard and delicate materials,

Giovanni Boldini’s extraordinarily creative Tuscan

drawing attention to the hardness and the fragility of life

period from 1864 to 1871, and the influence of

itself, and to the precariousness of human existence. A

artists of the Macchiaioli school on his work. Most

philosophical, spiritual and political reflection on life and death.

of Boldini’s “Macchiaioli” paintings are on show in

Curated by Giacinto Di Pietrantonio, Katerina Koskina,

this exhibition, notably sixteen masterpieces from

Dimitri Ozerkov

private collections and public galleries.

Venice Biennale Abbey of San Gregorio

Curated by Francesca Dini

Until November 26, 2017

Musei dell’Antico Palazzo dei Vescovi

www.labiennale.org

Until January, 6 2018 - www.comune.pistoia.it

MILAN NAN GOLDIN THE BALLAD OF SEXUAL DEPENDENCY MoMA exhibition, presents The Ballad of Sexual Dependency by the American photographer Nan Goldin. The “Ballad”, considered one of the world’s most important masterpieces of the history of contemporary photography, is a visual diary in work in progress, begun in early 1980’s and comprising approximately 700 colour photographs depicting life, sex, transgression, drugs, friendship and loneliness.

Curated by François Hébel La Triennale di Milano - Until November 26, 2017 www.triennale.org

© Nan Goldin, Trixie on the cot, New York City 1979

The Museum of Contemporary Photography, for the first time in Italy and following the

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news in brief

DOLCE & GABBANA IN MONTE CARLO The iconic Italian brand has chosen the principate of Monte Carlo as the location for its new boutique. Dedicated to men’s and women’s fashions, the sales point opens in Monte Carlo at 2, boulevard Des Moulins and 3, Avenue de la Madone, near the Casino and the Cafè de Paris. The boutique covers a total area of 800 square metres laid out over three levels. The lower floor, whose entrance is on Avenue de la Madone, is dedicated to women’s lines and offers the ready-to-wear, evening, accessories and fine jewellery collections. The boutique’s first floor hosts the high fashion collection and the men’s fine jewellery line. The centre of this space is reserved for the women’s ready-to-wear and fine jewellery collections. Finally, the top floor is for bags, shoes and accessories. www.dolcegabbana.it

THE NEW TERRACES AT THE PARK HYATT MILAN Enjoying a unique view across the rooftops of Milan’s city centre is just one of the unforgettable experiences awaiting guests at the six renovated suite terraces on the sixth and top floor of the Park Hyatt Milan. The exteriors of four Terrace Suites, the Duomo Suite and the Presidential Suite have been redesigned in harmony with the interiors - teak flooring and outdoor furnishings by Ethimo from the Esedra, Knit and Swing collections - with the added extra of a Jacuzzi decorated with 50,000 gold mosaic tiles on the terrace of the Duomo Suite. Plants and outdoor works from the French Artline company add charm to the roof garden atmosphere. www.milan.park.hyatt.com/it

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BESPOKE HOLIDAYS BEGIN ONLINE Planhotel has launched a new, extraordinary service for clients to create their own personalised holiday at the Diamonds Resorts, for a fantastic Indian Ocean experience. The diamondsresorts.com site provides exclusive informations and contents to make every journey unique and unforgettable. It all starts at the booking stage, shaping it in the basis of desires, passions and requirements - once online, clients can book restaurant tables for special meals or the new Extraordinary Experiences, which can be enjoyed at only one place in the world, and only with Diamonds Resorts. They can also take a look at the information-packed Travel Guides, full of suggestions, hints and curiosities acquired by the company’s years of experience on the spot. www.planhotel.com

THE MAGIC OF CAVIAR In 2017 the Swiss luxury skincare brand La Prairie celebrates the 30th anniversary of its iconic Skin Caviar Collection line with caviar extract. It is marking this significant milestone with the launch of the new Skin Caviar Absolute Filler, developed using cutting edge technology that extracts the most effective nutrients present in caviar to combat loss of skin tone and restore firmness while redefining and enhancing the area around the eyes. La Prairie is also taking part in an art exhibition interpreting caviar in all its forms, with the help of a carefully-chosen group of contemporary artists. The exhibition travels from Paris to New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and visitors will be able to experience the mystery, power and beauty of caviar through five innovative works of art. www.la-prairie.it

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news in brief THE ZEITZ MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AFRICA (ZEITZ MOCAA) The world’s largest museum of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora is set to open in late September 2017 on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront.

Designed by London-based Heatherwick Studio, the museum will be housed in 9,500 square metres of custom-designed space spread over nine floors, located in the monumental structure of the historic Grain Silo Complex. The Grain Silo Complex, disused since 1990, stands as a monument to Cape Town’s industrial past, and has now been given new life.

The galleries and the cathedral-like atrium space at the centre of the museum have been literally carved from the silos’ dense cellular structure of forty-two tubes. The development includes 6,000 square metres of exhibition space in eighty galleries, a rooftop sculpture garden, state-of-the-art storage and conservation areas, bookshop, restaurant, bar and various reading rooms. The museum will also house centres for a Costume Institute, Photography, Curatorial Excellence, the Moving Image, Performative Practice and Art Education. www.zeitzmocaa.museum

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pisa orologeria boutique patek philippe — 9 via verri milan

pisa orologeria flagship store — 7 via verri milan

pisa orologeria boutique rolex — 24 via montenapoleone milan

style

From cognac to red Beatrice Galbiati

To live the autumn with positive energy

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1

2

1. Hooded printed wool cape with silver fox collar, Vladimiro Gioia.

2. Soft red leather with black contrasting edging for the Runaway bag, Fendi. 3. Cloche Calliope, Panizza. 4. Gilded dragon on black satin for the stiletto-heel Dragon Booties, Gianvito Rossi. 5. Oases and tropical birds for the silk scarf, Salvatore Ferragamo.

Opposite page. Floral and geometric motifs for the wrap dress with pleated skirt. Delicate floral print, pleats and sash at waist to define the figure, Etro

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3

4

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style

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1 2

1. An expression of biker culture, the men’s jacket in ultrasoft leather, Coach1941. 2. Bethan is a calf leather business bag with detachable shoulder strap, Bally. 3. Horn buttons and cotton/

3

nylon gabardine outer fabric for the classic double-breasted men’s trenchcoat, Sealup. 4. The sweatshirt with slogan by Spanish artist Coco Capitan lights up the autumn Gucci.

Opposite page. Orange for the men’s Casentino wool jacket with contrasting silk lining and horn buttons, Ritz Saddler. Men’s boots with suede inserts and semi-brogue decorations, Corneliani

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fashion italian touch

Discreet Luxury Beatrice Galbiati

Artisanal skills, creativity and understated elegance for the historic Il Bisonte leather goods brand

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W

anny Di Filippo was so deeply moved by the impression of tranquillity and strength created by the American buffalo, which for centuries was the source of life for the peoples roaming

the American prairies, that he chose the animal - Il Bisonte - as the logo for his creations. Inquisitive, creative and bursting with drive and imagination, he founded his company in the heart of Florence, but it was his meeting with wife-to-be Nadia that led to the launch of the brand and its first leather products. That was in 1960, and ten years later Wanny’s first sketches appeared, innovative yet primitive, too, inspiring a brand that is deeply rooted in its native soil. The exceptional quality of the hides and other materials, a passion for artisanal work carried out by skilled hands, unconventional, hyperfunctional creativity and understated elegance are all characteristics that link Il Bisonte to its native city Florence. Wanny Di Filippo started out in a basement at 69, via del Purgatorio at a time when Florence was recovering from devastating floods. He began to produce calfskin accessories designed and exclusively handmade

by Wanny himself. An American tourist fell in love with these creations, and his recommendations caused the brand’s clientele to grow, providing Wanny’s first great opportunity. The years went by and with the brand’s real launch in 1970 the relationship with Florence strengthened as the studio moved to the 17th century Palazzo Corsini on the Arno. Its subsequent participation at Pitti in 1972 set the seal on its success, marking the start of an expansion that is still under way today. New shops opened , from Paris to Hong Kong and Taipei, arriving in New York in 1987 with a single brand boutique. In order to guarantee increasing growth Wanny Di Filippo decided to sell the company to a private equity fund – Palamon Capital Partners - which is handling the revamp at an international level with the aim of harnessing the company’s innovative, visionary and unconventional spirit as effectively as possible.

Right, calfskin. Opening page, Wanny Di Filippo, the brand’s founder

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fashion italian touch

Above, the founder Wanny Di Filippo and an artisan during a production stage. Opposite page, from top, sketches of Il Bisonte models, an artisan working on a pice and the Maremma travel bag - totally transformable from handbag to backpack or shoulder bag, with single handle and double adjustable or removable shoulder straps with pocket at front and back. Size can be adjusted and lining is made of cotton cloth

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Il Bisonte boasts a 45-year history and a charismatic founder who will

are another characteristic, if not the heart, of Il Bisonte. Caramella is

continue to operate as brand ambassador throughout the world. The

a foldable, “transforming� bag in calfskin and canvas, designed by

Il Bisonte bags and accessories collections are currently designed by

Wanny Di Filippo in 1972. It is perhaps the most typical embodiment

an in-house team with input from designer Emma Hill - clean, linear

of the brand’s spirit, followed by the Maremmana, also in calfskin and

aesthetics, quality manufacture and a range of colours from natural

canvas, which transforms into a weekend bag or backpack, and the

calfskin tones to vivid multicolour stripes, all targeting an extremely

Vagabonda, a perfectly foldable weekend bag for travel lovers. The

varied clientele. The distinctive feature is the materials used, the most

iconic creations are complemented by seasonal collections with more

iconic of which is the calfskin that most of the accessories are made

lifestyle, fashion-oriented content - not simply leather accessories but

from. It undergoes a process of vegetable tanning at a plant 50 km.

also everyday multifunctional objects from leather chairs to woollen

away. As well as reducing the environmental impact, it makes the leather

Casentino plaids, always maintaining the unmistakeable country/urban

unique, enabling it to acquire the patina of wear. The tela Olona fabric

style. A company backed by an almost fifty-year history producing around

recalls the the colourful striped cloth typical of the beach towels of

600,000 pieces a year, with 800 square metres of showroom and offices

Versilia in the 1960s. The iconic, timeless and all-year-round products

in the Palazzo Corsini, a network of one hundred selected multibrand

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fashion italian touch

Images of the Milan shop at via Santo Spirito 14 stores, fifty-six monobrand outlets including six directly-managed flagship stores and the first monobrand opened in last August in Milan on via Santo Spirito, in the fashion district, offering an unusual retail selection and an area dedicated to a made-to-order service - that’s the Il Bisonte of today.

The company’s local roots are not only reflected in its production - it sponsors Florence’s women’s first-division volleyball team, and well-established collaborations with Palazzo Strozzi and Florence’s Antiques Biennale are clear evidence of Il Bisonte’s strong links with its native city. www.ilbisonte.com

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Il profumo del mare acquadellelba.it

spa hotel

The beauty of the rising sun Antonella Euli

In the exclusive setting of the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel Milan, the Shiseido Spa Milan has been one of the city’s top spa

T

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wo areas of excellence, hospitality and beauty, combine in an

1916. The Private Spa suite is designed for treatments in a couple,

oasis of wonders in the heart of Milan. This holistic experience

with Jacuzzi and an ice fall. Guests in this part of the spa can also

of pure luxury blends the expertise of the treatments and the

enjoy the Sweet Sauna, the perfect solution for destressing the

quality of Shiseido products with the elegance of the renovated

body, and luxuriate in the Sweet Spa amid a cloud of eucalyptus-

location. Located on the seventh floor of the hotel, the Shiseido

scented steam. Two emotional showers perfumed with cold mint

Spa Milan covers over 1000 square metres and is one of the

and maracuja provide moments of sheer pleasure. The offer is

regional capital’s largest hotel spas. Designed by the Marco Piva

completed by a swimming pool with relaxation area, fitness centre,

studio and created by B&B Italia, it is the ideal of essential lines and

Salt Room and Calidarium. The swimming pool’s great attraction

select materials. The result is an innovative design created using

is the glass and steel skyline with 360-degree view of the city.

marble, glass, steel and platinum. The four treatment rooms for

Designed as a grotto carved out by the action of flowing water, it has

women are named after flowers and Japanese symbols - Sakura

a waterfall flowing from the platinum wall. The pool itself is finished

(cherry blossom), Tea Rose, Hamanasu (the rose which is princess

in dark colours that contrast with the natural light. The Calidariun

Masako’s imperial symbol) and Camelia, the Shiseido symbol since

is a light-filled relaxation area in finely-textured grey Billiemi marble

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spa hotel

with heated benches. The spa features an extensive offer of face and body treatments for women, men and couples - the treatment menu comprises thirty rituals, the most exclusive being the Timeless Ritual, a signature treatment specially created for the hotel by Shiseido.

The Timeless Ritual combines the best of Shiseido’s face and body treatments in a 90-minute experience that ends with a make-up session for her and a revitalising, energising scalp massage for him. To make

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its wellbeing treatment even more unique and bespoke, the Shiseido

seasoned golfers who want to practice their putts, drives and play all year

Spa Milan offers the Spa Senses Menu, a selection of essential oils,

round. The Virtual Golf provides the opportunity to practice alone or in the

music and refreshments clients can choose from to accompany and

company of an expert professional, choosing from among the list of nine

personalise their experience. Everything takes place in an atmosphere

spectacular driving ranges. The experience of being on a real course can

of Zen-like calm, and many of the treatments start with Japanese

be recreated by choosing the option of a match involving several players

Foot Bathing, a perfumed hot foot bath administered before a face

and striding - virtually, of course - across twenty-four of the world’s finest

or body massage to relax the client, and Aroma Breathing, breathing

courses, including Troon North, Bay Hill, Doral and the legendary Old St.

exercises under the guidance of the beauty therapist, with eyes

Andrews and Pebble Beach. All this can be rounded off by a meal at the

covered by an oshibori. This ritual precedes the chosen treatment,

Terrazza Gallia, a fine food restaurant designed by Marco Piva and created

slowing the heartbeat and calming cerebral activity, inducing a state

with advice and supervision from the Cerea family in the breathtaking

of total relaxation. Last but not least, we offer a couple of suggestions

setting of the hotel’s roof top. The food is prepared by brothers Vincenzo

for activities to indulge in once the beauty cycle is completed - first

and Antonio Lebano, talented chefs from Campania, and selected by

of all the virtual golf, a simulator offering High Definition Golf™, with

brothers Enrico and Roberto Cerea as their heirs apparent in a project that

sophisticated equipment and technology creating a new generation

for the first time sees the Cerea family branching out in Milan, away from

virtual golfing experience. It’s the ideal solution for beginners and

the family “headquarters” in Brusaporto. www.excelsiorhotelgallia.com/it

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beauty

Nature meets hi-tech Beatrice Galbiati

Three Shiseido lines to intensify the senses and appeal to all ages, used by the Shiseido Spa at Excelsior Hotel Gallia Milan

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hey arrive from the land of cherry blossom, a homage to nature and research. FUTURE SOLUTION LX is enriched by advanced anti-ageing technology inspired by research into plant longevity. The herb

Enmei, well-known in Japan for its health benefits, is a key ingredient in this treatment. The line comprises five products - Total Protective Cream SPF20, a day cream that activates the longevity genes, Total Regenerating Cream for the night-time and the twofold offer of the foaming agent Extra Rich Cleansing Foam and Concentrated Balancing Softener softening lotion, to use after cleansing. The range is completed

by Eye & Lip Contour Regenerating Cream for the area around the eyes, for skin aged thirty-five and above. BIO-PERFORMANCE, a symbol of Shiseido’s advanced bio-technical expertise, takes the form of a full cycle of three products - the 24-hour anti-ageing Dynamic Serum to combat lines and restructure the skin, 24h anti-ageing LiftDynamic Cream for hydration that penetrates down to the deepest layers, and the 24-hour anti-ageing LiftDynamic Treatment for the eye area. For skin aged forty and above. The WASO line is designed for younger skin, celebrating nature. The 24-hour Clear Mega-hydrating Cream gel contains carrot to nourish the skin and enhance its lustre in the Color-smart Day Moisturizer SPF30, an excellent foundation base. The 24h Quick Matte Moisturizer Oil-free emulsion gel contains anti-oxidant extract from the leaves of Japanese medlar trees, as does the Color-smart Day Moisturizer SPF30, giving the skin a matt look, adapting it to the complexion. Tofu features in the Softy+Cushy Polisher soya-based exfoliant, honey in the Quick Gentle Cleanser gel and hydrating kikurage or cloud ear fungus in the Fresh Jelly Lotion. www.shiseido.com

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TRUSTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY AT THE SERVICE OF YOUR SKIN The leading anti-ageing line offers a targeted solution for all skin-ageing effects with an all-round solution - a morning and evening ritual to bring out the best of the TrueStructive Technology, the first technology to strengthen skin structure by acting on two types of stem cell

THE SECRET OF LONGEVITY A luxurious anti-ageing treatment for a sublime holistic experience. Special emphasis is placed on aromachology, with a mix of delicate Japanese floral notes that enhance the richness of the experience. The packaging is inspired by the concept of Origata, enfolding the product in wrapping that opens like a flower

THE POWER OF NATURE Inspired by the art of washoku - traditional Japanese cuisine - the philosophy behind WASO is based on respect for nature and the raw materials used.

No special ritual, just a simple product line for young skin comprising six products to select according to the needs of the moment

ALL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN PERFUMERY AND SPECIALIZED DEPARTMENT STORES

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beauty

Acqua dell’Elba essence of the sea

The unique aspect of this artisanal company in Tuscany is manufacturing products on one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful islands, using natural raw materials inspired by the sea

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Antonella Euli

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hree partners, Fabio, Chiara and Marco, and a story that opens on a seagoing sail yacht. They are united by a passion for perfumes, and a dream - to

create a product that embodies all the magic of the sea. The result is Acqua dell’Elba, a family-run artisanal company in the Tuscan Archipelago, founded seventeen years ago in Marciana Marina along the lines of a Renaissance workshop. Acqua dell’Elba offers authentic interpretations of the sensations evoked by the sea in six scent lines (Classica, Arcipelago, Blu, Bimbi, Sport and Essenza di un’Isola ), plus body products (body cream, shampoo, shower gel, soap, deodorants and scented wipes) accessories (beauty, towels, bathrobes, sarongs, bermudas) and home fragrances, diffusers, scented candles and scented plaster, as well as the latest creation, the Yachting Line, a collection combining established Acqua dell’Elba products with new creations for lovers of the sea, with select fabrics, sumptuous

Opening, from left, the three partners Marco Turoni, Fabio and Chiara Murzi. Top, from the Yachting Line - candle, diffuser, home fragrance and courtesy line. Above, men’s and women’s Sport Line perfume

body cream and soaps, candles and home fragrances. These examples of Tuscan excellence will be present at the Monaco Yacht Show, in the exclusive setting of the Principality. In its own exhibition space, the brand will offer visitors the opportunity to experience the authentic “fragrance of the sea” in an oasis of scents and other products created using exclusively artisanal methods in the Elba Island, a popular destination in Mediterranean yachting.

A prestigious backdrop for the international presentation of the new Yachting Line, a skilful selection of perfumes and products expressing the poetry of the sea. Not forgetting all the new arrivals, including the “Yachting-Private collection” enhanced by a refined packaging, consisting of special boxes with two different combination of products, created to offer clients every day the unique pleasure of a boat trip. www.acquadellelba.it

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wine spa

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Beautiful Langhe Antonella Euli

In the heart of the Piedmont vineyards and the white truffle region, this haven of meditation for monks arriving from Provence in 1619 was transformed into a private residence during the nineteenth century

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fter four years of careful, conservative restoration that preserved the heritage left by the previous centuries, the Relais San Maurizio has opened its doors.

In 2002, the old monastery and the manor house become one and the same venue, offering five-star hospitality. Piedmont’s first Relais&Châteaux

is a partnership uniting the art of hospitality, excellent food and wine and a search for wellbeing. The driving force behind all this is investment banker Pierdomenico Gallo, a native of the Langhe. He is passionate about his homeland and fiercely dedicated to it, and wanted to restore to the territory a precious page in its history. The 36 rooms and suites offer views of the Langhe hills - these lands, designated a Unesco World Heritage Site, change pace with every season. The hotel is the perfect getaway in the hills, embraced by the Alps on one side and the Ligurian Sea on the other. Thanks to recent modifications in 2013, the Relais San Maurizio offers an unforgettable experience in a location suspended in time, where harmony, tradition and innovation blend. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Guido da Costigliole, located in the beautiful vaulted cellars of the building, has been the undisputed benchmark for fine dining in the region for more than fifty years, while the wine cellar boasts 3,000 labels. The award-winning Medical & Wellness Spa provides thalassotherapy in a salt cave and wine therapy in old Barolo and Barbera barrels. The treatments skillfully combine cutting-edge medical knowledge with water and salt-based products. San Maurizio stands on the Salt Road, an old trail on which the precious product was transported by mule from Liguria over the Alps. Even today salt brings a fresh sea breeze to the hills, with its Mediterranean scent and extraordinary benefits. The secret of the Salt Cave is reflected in this very special alchemy, a regenerating process where science and nature meet in the picturesque setting of a cave hewn out of the sandstone. The effect is created by the therapeutic results of thalassotherapy, which provides a sensation of being charged with a new energy once the journey is completed. The result is a small miracle, as the body is detoxified and totally purified. This is the most exclusive principle of the Wellness & Medical Spa, which also offers a unique bio-sauna with

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wine spa

the aromas of San Maurizio’s botanic herb garden and treatments for every need. Guests cannot help but feel grateful as they lie on the outdoor sun terrace, admiring the outline of the hills and vineyards, basking in serenity and wellbeing. The Bacchus nectar is a divine potion for the skin. Wine therapy rejuvenates, tones and hydrates the skin, while helping the muscles to remain firm and strong. The wine contains antioxidants that combat free radicals, the main cause of cell oxidation. Wine, grapes and pomace are used as a beauty elixir to restore freshness, tone and vitality, slow down the skin aging process and keep body and spirit free of toxins. The ancient winery, used by the monastic community in 1600’s, has been restored and turned into the so called “Hammam DiVino”. The Hammam hosts two large barrels from the early 20th century, and part of the procedure takes place right here - one, still redolent with the aroma of Barolo, provides a space for biosauna, while the other is now a relaxing space with a mattress made from grape seeds that release warmth to the body and instill a feeling of complete and total relaxation, accompanied by the aroma of Barbera. Guests can also can enjoy a hazelnut scrub, taking advantage of another of the region’s excellent products. The soft, inviting scent will reveal the uniqueness of this local delicacy, leaving your skin glowing and moisturised. www.relaissanmaurizio.it 44

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fall time

Enjoying a unique view of Italian art cities

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from the rooftops of 5-star hotels

Antonella Euli

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HILTON MOLINO STUCKY, VENICE A view of Venice from a different perspective is provided by the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. Described as a “modern Venetian masterpiece”, in the late 19th century the building was a mill on the shore of Giudecca Island, but the hotel now boasts a number of outstanding features - it is the city’s largest hotel and has a huge spa, the highest scenic swimming pool and a collection of eight restaurants distinguished by their gastronomic excellence. The day starts with a buffet breakfast in the Molino and ends at the Skyline Rooftop Bar with its breathtaking night-time view of the lights of Venice. Lunch and dinner are served in the yacht club style Aromi restaurant, the Bacaromi, the new Cicchetteria with local food and good wine, or the informal Rialto Lobby Bar & Lounge. Guests can take afternoon tea at the Piazzetta Nutella, which in winter occupies a corner at the famous Rialto bridge. The height of a stay at the hotel is the Tower Suites located in the original mill tower, while the ultimate dream is the Suite Presidenziale, which occupies two floors at the summit of the tower. Special extras include private Jacuzzi with a view of the Giudecca Canal, personal fitness area and exclusive access to the swimming pool and the top of the tower overlooking the entire city. www.molinostuckyhilton.it

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ARMANI HOTEL, MILAN Giorgio Armani contributed his personal touch to the design of the Armani Hotel Milan, situated in a Rationalist style building on via Manzoni 31 that was originally designed by Enrico A. Griffini in 1937. The Armani’s offer goes beyond its visual appeal, with a unique service concept under the supervision of Lifestyle Managers, who act as reference points for guests before, during and even after their stay. The Armani style and philosophy has shaped every detail of the 95 rooms and suites, notably the two exclusive second-floor duplex suites, the Armani Signature Suites (190 and 203 square metres), and the two sixth-floor suites, the 170 square metre glass-walled Armani Milano Suite with glass walls overlooking the Duomo, city centre and elegant terrace, and the 190-square metre Armani Presidential Suite with view of Milan’s skyline, full-service cocktail bar and private terrace. Lunch and dinner are served in the one Michelin star Armani/Ristorante, which also boasts a stunning view of the Duomo and the futuristic skyscrapers of Porta Nuova, or the Armani/Bamboo Bar. Guests can stay up late at the Armani/Lounge, which offers a wonderful panorama across the city. The Armani lifestyle is also embodied in the Armani/SPA, a 1,000 square metre space promoting beauty on the top floor of the hotel. www.armanihotelmilano.com

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HOTEL CONTINENTALE, FLORENCE The terrace is one of the best places to admire the sunset over Florence’s skyline, in the shade of a graceful mulberry tree. It stands on the rooftop of the Torre Medievale dei Consorti, the location of the Hotel Continentale, part of the Ferragamo’s Lungarno Collection group. Surrounded by masterpieces like the Vasari Corridor, Uffizi Gallery, Brunelleschi’s dome and Giotto’s belltower, the terrace offers a breathtaking 360° panorama across the city to the green hills beyond, with a unique view of the Ponte Vecchio, which can be seen in section from above. Florentine architect Michele Bönan has skilfully interpreted the glamour of high fashion and 1950s films, designing the Terrazza with a mix of whites and pale colours like grey and beige and a natural wood floor, creating a setting that is perfectly in line with the tower’s ancient origins. Now the Terrazza is Florence’s place to be for aperitifs, and it features collaborations with the city’s finest mixologists and bartenders, who have helped develop an intriguing and sometimes surprising cocktail list. This includes traditional Italian drinks like the classic Negroni, here given an “improved” interpretation, and new creations like the El Continental. www.lungarnocollection.com

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BOSCOLO EXEDRA, ROME The building, redesigned by for Boscolo the architect Maurizio Papiri and designer Adam D. Tihany, dates back to the 19th century, when Gaetano Koch constructed twin buildings in a neo-classical style, one of which became what is now the Boscolo Exedra. The name is a homage to the name of the old square - Esedra - that is the location of the present-day Piazza della Repubblica. The hotel offers 238 rooms, two scenic restaurants, a panoramic terrace overlooking the city, an exclusive wellbeing centre and an efficient Business Centre suspended over ancient Roman excavations.

The offer is crowned by the twelve Junior, 3 Executive and 2 Presidential suites where the charm of the past meets cutting edge technology. The 16th century papal granary, the Clementino, now hosts some exceptional accommodation. Here, hints of older times combine with modern comforts. All this is completed by fine dining that can please even the most demanding palates. Guests can choose from the Lobby Bar, Champagnerie Tazio, Bar & Restaurant Posh, Gallery Bar&Restaurant Tazio and the Breakfast Room La Frusta, refined venues inspired by exceptional Roman hospitality. And while the sun sets over the Eternal City, the spectacular terrace of the Exedra is just the place to enjoy a dinner featuring fish-based dishes. www.exedra-roma.boscolohotels.com

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summer time GRAND HOTEL PARKER’S, NAPLES It’s one of Naples’ oldest and most exclusive hotels, located in the elegant Chiaia district, overlooking the city and gulf stretching from Vesuvius and taking in the Sorrento peninsula, Capri and the Posillipo hill. Five star luxury and “Small Luxury Hotel of the World”, the Grand Hotel Parker’s is located in the Art-Deco style palace that formerly belonged to Prince Salvatore Grifeo and then British marine biologist George Bidder Parker. Its 82 rooms and suites have preserved the historical character of the interiors with their marble, period furnishings and sumptuous finishings. With a breathtaking view from the top floor, the Ristorante George’s gives a contemporary interpretation to traditional cuisine, and the Bidder Bar’s “Cigar Corner” offers a wide selection of cigars, fine chocolate and prestigious spirits. Breakfast is enjoyed in the panoramic space on the hotel’s sixth floor, which offers a huge range of sweet and savoury creations, with an emphasis on zero-kilometre products - small Neapolitan pastries, fresh tarts, yogurts, honey on the comb and a green corner for coeliac and vegetarian guests. Not forgetting the fact that Grand Hotel Parker’s is the first and only hotel in Naples to gain Kosher certification. It also hosts Lite Life, a space dedicated to regaining physical, mental and spiritual fitness, where guests can indulge in some totally natural relaxation. www.grandhotelparkers.it

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TOWNHOUSE DUOMO BY SEVEN STARS, MILAN Fourteen suites in the central Piazza Duomo21 in Milan. Breathtaking suites entirely designed by Italian architects, a selection of raw materials and a team of Fourteen spectacular suites in the central Piazza Duomo21 in Milan, entirely designed by Italian architects using a selection of prestigious materials. A team of highly-skilled professionals has been brought together to transform their ideas into art in a historical building under the supervision of Fine Arts Milan. TownHouse Duomo is the only luxury hotel with a view onto the Piazza Duomo and the Cathedral in all its majesty.

Twelve of the fourteen rooms have floor-to-ceiling doors opening onto balconies facing the Duomo. Each room is individually designed, and only the finest materials are used, including the sumptuous cloth covering walls, furnishings and curtains, as well as resin and ceramics created by one of Italy’s leading companies, known for its constant research into new shapes and ideas. Bathrooms and bathroom ware are by the most famous designers, while the rooms feature home automation or different switches for every room. Indoor and outdoor furnishings, lighting - everything, in fact, down to the smallest details, are created to provide maximum comfort for guests. The TownHouse Duomo has evolved into a fascinating mix of venue - the renowned Duomo 21 lounge, bar and terrace, the WECC (World Expo Commissioners Club), a club reserved for the commissioners and the delegations that will take part in the most important event of the year, providing a place where they can meet and exchange ideas and views, the exclusive 5th floor restaurant Felix Lo Basso and the hotel terrace and reception are all located at what has become the most exclusive address in town, Piazza Duomo 21. Part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. www.townhousehotels.com

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watches

LADIES and GENTLEMEN Paolo De Vecchi

Men generally prefer to wear highly technical, sporty watches, while women favour creations that can be worn as pieces of jewellery

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he men’s watches most popular with enthusiasts and

collectors are almost always bristling with functional features, like a chronograph or calendar, while women’s models focus on aesthetic appeal and the inclusion of precious stones.

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Left. This delightfully feminine watch is the new arrival of the year from Baume & Mercier.

It’s called Promesse, and displays the phases of the moon. The steel case is embellished with diamonds. Quartz movement. Below.

Men’s watches often focus on mechanical complications-the Da Vinci chronograph by IWC has a perpetual calendar with moon phases. Automatic movement, large steel case.

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watches Right. The Symphonette By Longines has a vintage appeal, with oval case in steel and rose gold. Silvered dial and quartz movement, steel mesh bracelet with rose gold inlays.

Below. With its Reine de Naples, the longestablished Breguet brand has created a mini version of its own aristocratic 19thcentury timepiece. The case is rose gold with diamonds. Automatic movement.

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Above. The impressive, highly technical feature sported by Tissot’s Ballade Powermatic 80 is its official chronometer certificate, a guarantee of precision partly made possible by the silicon balance spring. Steel case and automatic movement visible through the sapphire crystal back. Left. 43-mm diameter steel case and rubber strap for the top sports model from Montblanc, the TimeWalker. In this case, the version with automatic movement and chronograph.

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jewels 1

The most beautiful colours of the year range from yellow to red, passing through an almost infinite palette of orange shades.

They are displayed by the woodland leaves, the result of a marvellous, spontaneous natural phenomenon when the foliage

Foliage color inspiration

of some tree species creates a natural spectacle, just before the coming of winter. Jewels in yellow gold, citrine quartz, carnelian, tsavorite, yellow diamonds and more, to wear the colours of autumn

Beatrice Galbiati

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1. Corona is a diamond necklace with emeralds, sapphires and fire opals. Giampiero Bodino 2. From the Bartorelli Rare and Unique line, the bracelet and necklace in fancy yellow diamonds mounted on yellow gold.

Bartorelli Gioiellerie 3. Yellow gold, diamonds and citrine quartz for these earrings from the Margherita collection. Damiani

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4. The Sailor Tattoo ring from the Flying Cloud collection in yellow gold with diamonds and yellow sapphire. Chanel Joaillerie 5. White gold, diamonds, carnelian and rock crystal for the Palloncino brooch. Vhernier 6. From the Red Carpet collection, a titanium ring with fancy yellow diamond, diamonds and yellow diamonds. Chopard 7. Fired by a passion for watches, the Lancette collection includes this yellow gold and diamond pendant. Pisa Orologeria 8. Inspired by the gardens of the Sun King, the Orangerie Grenat Spessartite Bracelet from the Dior Ă Versailles collection, cotĂŠ Jardins. Dior Joiallerie

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being in the world

Wellness & Design Teresa Crespi

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For over thirty years Technogym has been an enthusiastic promoter of Wellness, a lifestyle based on regular physical activity, a balanced diet and a positive attitude

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t’s a deeply Italian lifestyle, rooted in the classical Roman ideal of “mens sana in corpore sano”, combining business and social responsibility. Nerio Alessandri, Technogym’s founder and president, probably had an idea in mind when he made the first items of gym equipment in his garage in Cesena - to “make the

world move” in an indoor space. It was 1983, and Alessandri was a young man of twenty-two. Technogym has grown to become a world leader in the supply of technology, services and design products for the Fitness and Wellness sectors.

The company now offers a full range of equipment for cardio, strength and function training, a digital cloud platform that enables users to link to their personal wellness experience wherever they are through their mobile devices, and added value services like interior design, consultancy and training, after-sales assistance and marketing support - a solution is available for every market sector, from private homes to hotels and beauty farms, rehabilitation centres, fitness clubs, corporate gyms and sports facilities in universities, schools and military establishments. The founder and president is a representative of globally-recognised Made in Italy excellence. His initial idea proved to be a great success and now the company employs over two thousand staff. Over half of these work at the main centre in Cesena, with the rest at the fourteen branches in Europe, the USA, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and

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being in the world

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South America, exporting 90% of production to over one hundred

successes followed, and 2012 saw the opening of the Technogym

countries. He has equipped 65,000 Wellness centres and over

Village, the company’s new headquarters and the world’s first Wellness

200,000 private homes around the world. And sports champions

Campus. It occupies a roofed area of over 60,000 square metres within

throughout the world train with Technogym - the Ferrari and McLaren

a site of 150,000 square metres, functioning as a cultural centre, think-

Formula 1 teams, for example. In the world of European football, the

tank and production facility. Above all, though, it’s a somewhere to

company is also the official supplier for Juventus, Inter, Milan, Paris

welcome guests and emphasise the company’s social mission - to

St. Germain and Chelsea, as well as being official supplier for the last

promote Wellness through a healthy lifestyle based on physical activity,

six Olympic Games. Alessandri is Italy’s youngest-ever recipient of

a balanced diet and positive attitude. Designed as an access point

the country’s Order of Merit for Labour, and his company has won

for the “Wellness Valley”, every detail of the Village draws inspiration

many prizes and accolades for the excellence, quality, affordability

from the principles of Wellness, eco-sustainability and innovation. The

and Italian design that are its distinctive hallmarks. The list of awards

structures, designed by the internationally-renowned architectural

includes the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for design quality and

studio Antonio Citterio & Partners, echo shapes found in nature and

Technogym’s ability to combine aesthetic appeal and functionality.

strive to achieve a balance between the natural environment and an

In 2003 Ernst & Young named Alessandri “Entrepreneur of the Year”

industrial plant. Nature was the main source of inspiration, beginning

and the company was nominated for the title of Great Place to Work

with the choice of glass, wood and steel as construction materials.

for three years in a row, winning first place in 2003 to become

The design also seeks to enfold the human presence in entirely natural

recognised as the best place to work in Italy and Europe. Further

materials, using bespoke furniture to encourage correct posture and

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sweeping expanses of glass that allow natural light to flood in and integrate the structure into the surrounding landscape. Light is a crucial element, and its use has been carefully crafted - the building is oriented to follow the sun’s trajectory from dawn to sunset. Every cubic metre of land has been repurposed to make a natural barrier extending parallel to the highway for around 800 metres. This provides both a visual and practical benefit - its sinuous shape reflects the line of the building’s roof, and the mass of soil insulates the building from road noise. A wonderful place to work. and integrate the structure into the surrounding landscape. reflects the line of the building’s roof, and the mass of soil insulates the building from road noise. A wonderful place to work. www.technogym.com

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Our gue sts a re 65 % rep ea t ers Wh y?

Nika Island

Resort & Spa *****

t ha t sp ecia l mood at the mald i v e s

IN TR AV CO I nterna t io nal Travel Consul tants - www.intravco .c o m

luxury hotel

The pearl of Versilia Antonella Euli

A stay at this stylish hotel promises a sensory experience where design embraces innovative spa treatments and sumptuous food tastings

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orte dei Marmi is the pearl of Versilia and the Hotel Principe Forte dei Marmi, opened in July 2010, is a modern building different from any other in town. It’s one of the prestigious collection of Leading Hotels of the World, and part of the American Express Fine Hotel Resort and

Virtuoso networks. From the entrance, guests can look over the entire property through the glass walls and doors, with a view stretching to the garden and the outdoor pool. The hotel gives an immediate sensation of space, infused with natural light. Wood, natural stone and neutral textiles are used in the common areas and bedrooms, are there is a special emphasis on the effects created by the transparency of glass. The result is a refined atmosphere and elegant comfort. The 28 rooms, including 15 suites, are laid out over three floors, each one providing a sense of freedom and sophistication. All interior furniture is by Italian designers and studios like Antonio Citterio, Armani Casa, B&B, Flexform, Floss and Maxalto. At the prestigious Egoista Spa mind and body discover moments of peace, with cutting-edge beauty treatments and tailored programs administered by team of professionals in a discreet, contemporary luxurious space. The Principe Restaurant and Bar are dedicated to sophisticated gourmets, providing an opportunity to enjoy the finest traditional Tuscan and Italian traditional cuisine, prepared by the versatile chef Valentino Cassanelli.

Framed by a large glass wall that blends with the elegant, refined open

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garden, the Principe Restaurant is a small oasis where it’s possible to enjoy moments of relaxation and pleasure. The Michelin-starred Lux Lucis Restaurant, though, is a paradise for lovers of excellence. Standing on an impressive terrace and surrounded by glass walls, it offers a breathtaking view of Versilia.

Chef Cassanelli celebrates the flavors and aromas of the Versilia region, interpreting them through a skilful alchemy, while the wine cellar offers an extensive selection of exclusive bottles. An ambassador of good wine and the new icon of Tuscan cuisine, the restaurant continues to receive accolades. And on the same terrace as the Lux Lucis Restaurant, luxury combines with lifestyle at the Sky Lounge Bar 67. This striking location is perfect for an aperitif with friends or a drink after dinner, serving a sophisticated choice of cocktails and champagne to sip during a full calendar of festivals and special events. www.principefortedeimarmi.com

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THE VIEW Lugano...a world of its own!

www.theviewlugano.com

luxury wine resort

Among the

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Vineyards of Collio Antonella Euli

Sleeping among the vines, enjoying the tastes of autumn, tastings and rambles along the Sentiero delle Vigne Alte

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pend a relaxing holiday or romantic weekend in a Friulian castle loved by Giacomo Casanova, and experience the elegant, rarefied surroundings of its beautiful salons

where the 18th century libertine spent his time enjoying the social whirl, conversation, writing and drinking wine, which he described in his memoirs as being “of excellent quality�. All this is included in the offers presented by the Castello di Spessa di Capriva, a refined period residence in the heart of the Collio region near Gorizia. The Castello has lavished its hospitality on a succession of aristocrats and illustrious figures, and now it lies at the heart of an elegant Wine Resort with fifteen elegant rooms and suites furnished with 18th and 19th century Italian and Central European pieces.

Guests can visit its cellars, where the wines produced by the estate of the same name, famous since the 14th century, are aged. The cellars are laid out out two levels. The upper and oldest level dates back to mediaeval times, while the second, which lies eighteen metres underground, is a military bunker constructed in 1939 that now

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provides the ideal environment for the barrels. Guided visits start in the video room and then lead through a tunnel to the bare stone cellar. Seventy steps lead down to the second level. Visitors can take part in guided tastings of the Castello’s famous wines, as well as grappas distilled from the marc of Spessa grapes. The tour then leads outside, into the castle’s centuries-old gardens. The Gusto di Casanova is a bistro with six marble tables seating a total of just twelve diners. This intimate, discreet venue is a wonderful place to enjoy an extraordinary selection of products from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, served in a striking contemporary style. The Gusto di Casanova is sure to provide some a pleasant surprises. The Wine Store Casanova in the former stables next to the castle sells wines of the Castello di Spessa of the Collio DOC and Isonzo DOC, grappa from the estate and typical products of the Friuli Venezia Giulia, carefully selected on the basis of a search for the best the region has to offer. The hotel stands amidst the winery’s vineyards, which produce illustrious DOC Collio and Isonzo wines with a label bearing a silhouette of the manor house, and the nearby 18-hole golf course winds a path among the vines. Two old farm buildings have been converted into restaurants preparing different types of cuisine - the Tavernetta al Castello, an excellent gourmet restaurant that also offers ten country chic rooms, and the informal Hosteria del Castello, with a large open-air area and shaded terrace. A farmhouse overlooking the greens now hosts six apartments furnished in a warm rustic style, designed especially for golfers. www.castellodispessa.it

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luxury rental

Australia bound

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t’s one of the four spectacular, imposing superyachts built by CRN-Gruppo Ferretti of Ancona. The first of these craft, a combination of engineering expertise and innovative design, is destined for Australia. The

Cloud 9 is a 74-metre custom design, created for a long-standing superyacht owner. Technical aspects were handled by CRN, exterior lines are by Zuccon International Project, and Winch design took care of the interior decor. Cloud 9 can host sixteen people and a crew and staff of twenty-six, sailing at a top speed of 16.5 knots. The final result is a cutting edge yacht that combines advanced technology, sartorial design and the finest aspects of CRN.

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luxury rental

Deluxe Catamaran

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uilt by the Pendennis Shipyard, hull lines by naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot PrĂŠvost (VPLP) and design by Michael Leach, Hemisphere is the largest luxury catamaran in the world at 44.2 long and 16.6 metres wide. The two aft

staircases give the impression of a majestic villa, and this yacht can host twelve people in 5 cabins with private bathroom. The crew members are all professionals, and the yacht also carries two PADI instructors, two tenders, waterskis, wakeboards and kneeboards, a trampoline of over 5 metres, extending six-seat kayaks, windsurf boards, fishing tackle, snorkelling equipment, five Seadoos, four folding mountain bikes and two seabobs.

Plus, of course, a complete diving centre (including Nitrox air) with equipment for fourteen guests. www.floatinglife.com

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destinations

Exclusive Zanzibar

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Dazzling white beaches washed by the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, unspoilt nature and the intense aroma of spices - the perfect combination for the island of your dreams Antonella Euli

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destinations

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n Africa pulsating with aromas and colours can be experienced at the Diamonds Star Of The East, the island of Zanzibar’s most exclusive resort - affiliated with the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of The World chain - and the pride of the Planhotel Hospitality Group’s Diamonds

Hotels & Resorts brand. This oasis comprises just eleven independent villas within the Diamonds Star Of The East resort. Here, privacy and discretion are complemented by stellar service. All the jewel-like villas are by architect Germano Aghemo, who has combined elements and materials from African traditions with Italian style and exceptional comfort. Dreams become reality in the nine 235 square-metre and two 300 square-metre doubles, all surrounded by a luxuriant tropical park with water features, and all offering a swimming pool, private garden and patio, the ideal spot to enjoy Zanzibar’s wonderful sunsets. Intended for a very demanding clientele, the outstanding all-inclusive services that are the hallmark of Diamonds Hotels & Resorts reach a high point here, with 24/7 butler service, personalised in-room check-in, gourmet dining, Pilates lessons at dawn and golf carts for travelling down to the private beach with bar service, an opportunity to take advantage of the 4 bars and 3 restaurants of the Eastern Gemma Diamonds and spa massages directly on the covered patio of the villa. The in-room services include the preparation of a hydromassage with select essential oils, and guests can also indulge in some serious pampering with one of the luxurious treatments based on plants, flowers, salt, seeds,

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destinations

spices, wild honey and raw sugar from the Mvua African Rain Spa, the Diamonds Star Of The East’s wellbeing centre. The Ocean Blue Restaurant, surrounded by a swimming pool and offering a breathtaking ocean view, serves a sumptuous à la carte lunch, refined international cooking and an exclusive setting. All the dishes can be ordered and enjoyed in the villas, twenty-four hours a day. And for couples planning a beachside wedding ceremony, this is where they can fulfil their dreams, as the civil ceremony is officially recognised by all European countries. The Diamonds Star of The East’s range of top-class services is complemented by its superb food and wine, sports facilities, wellbeing offer and entertainment, so guests have free access to an incomparable variety of choices. Every wish, will be granted, be it a fish dinner over the water in the Sea Breeze restaurant, a dive in search of the wonders of the coral reef, windsurf lessons, a relaxing massage, a journey with the chefs on their early morning tour of the local food markets after booking a cooking class at 4pm to learn an authentic local meal. Or why not spend a night on the beach under the stars - guests start with a private three-course meal with wine and then retire to a special secure sealed off area where a bed has been made ready under the stars, on the beach itself. www.staroftheeast.diamondsresorts.com/it 84

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Live the Diamonds Lifestyle! www.diamondsresorts.com

italian chef

A Group of Talented Chefs Antonella Euli

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rom Milan to Cividale del Friuli via Mantova - this time we head north for our culinary tale, to Milan, one of the coolest destinations for talented chefs

and exciting new restaurants. One arrival in the city is a dear friend, Fabrizio Albini, who after Lake Garda, Franciacorta and the Cristallo in Cortina d’Ampezzo, felt the need to breathe a more cosmopolitan atmosphere.

He’s done this by settling at the The Stage – Replay, the multi-experience store in piazza Gae Aulenti.

The invitation came from atCarmen, the company founded by Martino de Rosa and Carmen Moretti, after conquering Milanese palates by bringing in Franco Pepe to the Albereta and Enrico Bartolini to the Andana. The company is aiming high - the wager is a revolutionary one, and means taking the restaurant to join the most illustrious names in Milanese fine dining. And they’ve staked their enterprise on a winning horse, as Albini is a chef with a wonderful touch. His cuisine is contemporary and elegantly intriguing, perfect for the Milan of today and tomorrow.

We begin our visit to the north in Ponti sul Mincio, in the Mantova region, the home of the Portofino restaurant, awarded three forks in the Michelin Red Guide 2013. This warm, welcoming venue boasts a lovely touch of refinement, and stands in an attractive natural setting.

The rather surprising menu is strictly fish-based, and a tempting array of raw and cooked antipasti offers an introduction to experience Mediterranean cuisine of a very high standard. After this flavoursome sojourn we set off for Stregna, a village near Cividale del Friuli, a town with an extraordinary historic centre that hosts a wealth of magical sites like the Tempietto Longobardo, the Ipogeo and the Ponte del Diavolo, a district with many cellars, good wines and outstanding olive oil.

The destination in Stregna is a small restaurant called Sale e Pepe, run by husband-and-wife team Teresa Covaceuszach and Franco Simoncig. In 1987 they transformed their parents’ old inn into a restaurant with an adjoining delicatessen. Guests are welcomed with hospitality and warmth, and Teresa is always pleased to come out of her kitchen to explain the dishes on the menu, which combines a variety of flavours and cultures, with some very intriguing results.

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italian chef

ON THE BANKS OF THE MINCIO

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he restaurant is described by one of its owners, Alessandro

type of dish, based on top-quality ingredients mainly from

Chiabà, and he does so with great simplicity and a natural

Italian waters, creating light, tasty dishes accompanied

ease. There are few frills in his depiction of a project

by seasonal vegetables. The chef likes simplicity, so has

driven by passion and good food. “Much credit must go to

abolished sauces and gravies to concentrate on cooking times

chef Enzo Fogaroli, who I collaborated with for five years

and methods, because sea fish do not lend themselves to

at the Al Dorè and who has been running the kitchen at for

complex techniques. The restaurant has become a reference

eleven years at the Portofino. I like talking about him and

point for sea fish enthusiasts on Lake Garda, winning a

his career because it involves the success of our restaurant.

series of accolades in various guides from Veronelli, to

Enzo is in his forties - he was born in 1967 in Castiglione

Gambero Rosso, l’Espresso and the Michelin Red Guide.

delle Stiviere, so is a true son of the Mantova region - and

This success enabled the chef to become the restaurant

is backed by extensive experience developed at work.

owner. He then left in 2005 to open the Portofino. A new

After gaining his cookery diploma he worked for a year in

space - larger, full of light and very welcoming, with plenty

local gastronomy then went back to school on the Costa

of parking space and a summer garden - but the same

Smeralda and Madonna di Campiglio. In 1989 he arrived at

cuisine and the same loyal clientele, diners in love with the

the trattoria Al Dorè in Ponti sul Mincio, remaining here until

products of his skilful hands. After almost twelve years at

2005. Then came the development in his style as Fogaroli

the Portofino his passion and desire remain undimmed. You

began to combine his reinterpretation of traditional cooking

could say that the only obstacle is the passage of time,

with sea fish dishes. This innovation was so favourably

but like a good wine it becomes a pleasure to enjoy every

accepted that it persuaded the ownership to offer only this

day”. www.albergoristoranteportofino.it

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Here guests can enjoy pasta con bottarga di magone, fritto misto and sea bass in salt, followed by entirely home-made desserts like sfogliatina con crema pasticcerĂ e fragole, torta delle rose al profumo di limone and chocolate mousse with mint cream. The menu is accompanied by a good wine list with an emphasis on local products and some excellent white and sparkling wines

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italian chef

VIVA MILANO!

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sentiment expressed by Fabrizio Albini, the new executive chef at The Stage, in the futuristic piazza Gae Aulenti. After his recent stellar experience at the Cristallo in Cortina,

he has now decided to conquer Milan by revolutionising the restaurant’s offer. Born in 1976, Albini already has a number of successes to his name, from his debut with Vittorio Fusari to the finals of the Bocuse d’Or competition and international experience in Tel Aviv and Francia and the kitchens of Gualtiero Marchesi, who sought him out as sous chef to Henri Chenot, while Giorgio Armani comissioned him to cook for the guests aboard his yacht. He then became executive chef at the La Colombara of Relais Franciacorta and the Cappuccini Resorts in Cologne. Now he’s in Milan, ready to win over the city’s demanding diners. I have to say that the restaurant’s location on the first floor of the multi-experience store designed by architect Robin Standefer and her husband Stephen Alesch, owners of the Roman & Williams Buildings and Interiors studio in New York, ) plays an important role in this ambitious project - wood everywhere, warm colours and a modern yet hugely attractive interior environment, suspended between magic and reality. It is completed by the small, restrained dining room with a view across the skyscrapers of Porta Nuova. It’s a place for gourmet cuisine with a luxury service bar, bistro and an event space. This format offers a series of innovative features, and the result is a concept that fits in perfectly with the image of Milan as a cutting edge international city. It’s a wonderful challenge for Albini, one that will make the gastronomic experience offered by the Replay even more attractive. Martino de Rosa and Carmen Moretti have opted for a dynamic cooking style that gives a new energy to a surprising venue, the fruit of a collaboration between at Carmen and the fashion house that will lead us in September to discover a new facet of the Replay multi-experience store. www.replaythestage.com

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As for the chef, his culinary philosophy can be summarised in three adjectives - intriguing, simple and elegant. One of his first memories is the aroma of his grandfather’s casoncelli pasta, and this became the starting point for a cooking style that fuses a respect for tradition, quality ingredients and a taste for a search for forms, colours, temperatures and new, unexpected flavours

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italian chef

A RESTAURANT ON THE BORDER

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e are now in Stregna, in the valleys of Natisone, one of Friuli’s natural treasures, at home with Teresa Covaceuszach and Franco Simoncig. They have given

us a warm welcome in the Sale e Pepe, their lovely restaurant situated just a few kilometres from the border with Slovenia and part of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Via dei Sapori collection.

Their passion and love for their native soil are the driving forces behind this successful venture, launched in 1987. Here, everything is cared for down to the smallest detail, and the atmosphere is simple, with a family feel. The lovely lobby, with a product sales corner, leads into the most seductive interior, the kot, the room with a stove that in winter is always lit. The arriving visitor’s attention is captured by two tables dedicated to a variety of types of salt and pepper.

The seasons are her main source of inspiration - she uses herbs, greens and salad vegetables grown in her kitchen garden, and her dishes feature largely zero-kilometre ingredients like carefully-selected meat and cheeses, mushrooms when in season, locally-sourced chestnuts and game provided by hunters the area’s hunters.

The list of antipasti includes cubetti di trota Regina di San Daniele, a Friulian delicacy with fennel and orange salad and the exceedingly rare Rosa di Gorizia su Porcaloca scaldata, apple and horseradish with a thread of balsamic vinegar.

Among the first courses we can find potato and chestnut gocce on a ricotta and pine kernel cream, and minestrone di brovada with potatoes and beans, one delicate, the other rather more robust. The main course menu offers skewers of rabbit with dried fruit, a homage to the region, and veal cheek al Refosco with stuffed red cabbage and a mixed vegetables.

All rounded off by the desserts, most notably the iced persimmon mousse with a persimmon and cooked pear sauce. Wines are Franco’s responsibility, and he loves to offer Friulian labels, with a special emphasis on native varieties.

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The cooking is based on traditional local dishes, based on a skilful blending of creativity and the chef’s roots in the local valleys Teresa has given a modern, lively and profound spirit to previously forgotten dishes

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mise en place

The city on the table Maria Clara Caglioti

Italy’s historic Piazzas and ancient monuments inspire design, and famous architects instil some everyday objects with their vision of the urban landscape

Mariarosa Toscani Ballo

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1 2

1. The tray depicts the piazza in Venaria Reale, near Turin, the site of one of the Savoy family’s palaces. Made in silver-plated brass, it’s part of the 100 Piazze collection from Driade Kosmo, conceived by Fabio Novembre as a homage to Italy’s historic architecture.

2. Crevasse flower vase in steel by Zaha Hadid for Alessi. Designed in 2005, it already anticipated the form and twisting lines of the Hadid Tower, the skyscraper designed by the architect, recently completed at Citylife, Milan. 3. A depiction of imaginary

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architecture, Gio Ponti’s majolica Vaso delle Donne e delle Architetture for Richard Ginori depicts centuries of history. 4. The steel condiment set designed by Ghigos and produced by STO is a reference to the Duomo in Milan.

Opposite page: Top, the Cupola plate by Fornasetti in hand-painted porcelain and gold depicts the cupola of the church of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza in Rome, a baroque masterpiece by Francesco Borromini. Below: the silver Tea & Coffee Set by Daniel Libeskind for Sawaya & Moroni. The various pieces are arranged on the surface of the tray as if forming an urban skyline.

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seasonal food

Domori, the spirit of chocolate Valeria Rastrelli

Food of the Gods, irresistible temptations for refined palates

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he pre-Columbian civilisations aptly named it “Food of the Gods”.

with 100% pure Criollo bar, and finally, it was the first company to

Appreciated from the dawn of humankind by mere mortals,

create a Chocolate Tasting Code that would help distinguish the

too, chocolate is an irresistible temptation - especially when

infinite subtle differences in cocoa flavours. But what is Criollo? It’s

it’s a high-quality product. Domori boasts a number of firsts

the cocoa of the Maya and Aztec peoples, but its cultivation was

and records, and since its foundation in 1997 it has revolutionised

gradually abandoned because of the plant’s low yield. This rare, fragile

the world of cocoa. It all began with Gianluca Franzoni’s passion for

cocoa makes up only 0.001% of total world cocoa production, but

nature, fine food and cocoa - in 1993, after studying economics, he

its quality is beyond compare. Being free of tannins, Criollo has a

travelled to Venezuela and became fascinated by the magic of cocoa.

uniquely creamy, round, sweet flavour. The plant is delicate, but has

He decided to create a model for the repositioning of fine cocoa.

prized flavour characteristics - notes of dried fruit with a fragrance

Domori was the result, and the achievements began to accumulate

of bread, jam and cream. And in 1994 it was Domori that launched

- it was the first company to use only fine cocoa, emphasising high

the “Criollo Project” to rehabilitate this superb cocoa. After visiting a

quality, the first to produce chocolate using Criollo cocoa, the rarest

plantation in Porcelana, Venezuela, Franzoni began to use information

and most highly-prized variety, and the first to control the entire

from growers and research centres to enhance Criollo varieties and

supply chain from the South and Central American plantations, and

their characteristics. In the same year he opened his first nursery,

to have its own plantation. This enabled the company to re-establish

collecting materials and grafting plants to recover Criollo. With the

the biodiversity of Criollo cocoa in the field. It was also the first to

collaboration of the Hacienda San Josè he carried out research

rediscover a simple, ancient formula for making chocolate - cocoa

and development that culminated in the creation of the first limited

paste and sugar. Domori was the first to produce a chocolate bar

production initiatives. Then in 2001 Domori bought up half of the

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plantation and now it boasts the largest Criollo collection in the world, a unique world heritage of over ten varieties.

The array of Criollo varieties opens with Puertomar, a recent Criollo planted in 1998; Porcelana, though, is a historic Criollo for Domori and dates from 1994; Puertofino is a more recently rediscovered Criollo while Chuao is an old Criollo variety. Canoabo has a lovely rounded, enduring flavour and the rare Guasare variety was first cultivated in 2002, and is well-known among tasters for its fine character. The Ocumare 77 variety is equally rare and precious. Finally, we come to the Criollo 70% with almond and blond caramel notes, the 80%, a celebration of the flavours of dried fig, dates and raisins, the 90% with notes of dried fruit, extraordinary persistence on the palate and an excellent balance, and the Criollo 100%, a pure mass of different varieties of Criollo cocoa, providing a unique sensory experience with perfect persistence and balance, an endless unfolding of flavours and extraordinary elegance. For those searching for the true nature of cocoa, with no compromises. www.domori.com

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seasonal food

Agrimontana, jewels of confectionery Valeria Rastrelli

Chestnuts and Marron Glacés, an authentic taste experience

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grimontana was founded over forty years ago in the Piedmont

technical and commercial staff, farmers, suppliers and the

region, known throughout the world for the excellence of

professionals who use the products and tasters, all of whom

its products. It’s an area devoted to cooking, confectionery

benefit from the work of an entire supply chain. The extensive

and wine. Its people also have a great respect for nature

product collection includes candied fruit, jams and purees, nuts

and their land, which provide the ingredients they transform

in the shell and natural flavours from fine honeys to chocolate,

into prized food and wines. The company’s story is one of a

ice cream, sorbets, semifreddo desserts and fragile violets, a

growing closeness to nature and a search for new interpretations

blend of nature and artisanal skills. Not forgetting, of course,

in the tastes of chefs, confectioners and ice-cream makers.

the chestnuts, harvested and individually selected by hand

Established in 1972, Agrimontana is now the top-end Italian

then candied and iced by master confectioners. Agrimontana

leader in transforming fruit, and it has created a position for

chestnuts have earned a reputation with the world’s most

itself in Italy and abroad as a benchmark for the production of

important confectionery professionals, thanks to processes that

candied fruit, from its famous chestnuts, where the company’s

apply industrial technology to traditional artisanal culture. Only

adventure began, to the more recent candied glace violets. It’s

chestnuts from Italian chestnut trees are used here - Piedmont

a second-generation family business - Cesare Bardini founded

for Grand Crus, the Tosco Romagnolo Appenines for Selezione

the company, passing his vision on to his brother Enrico,

Agrimontana, Campania and Basilicata for Val Calore and only

responsible for Agrimontana’s Italian and international profile,

the finest candied chestnuts can become glace, the product

and his children Chiara, guardian of flavour and philosophy, Luigi,

chosen by the world’s greatest confectioners for their creations.

the commercial and financial driving force, and the company

These professionals regard Agrimontana Italian chestnuts and

staff. Most importantly, it’s a company made up of people,

their luxurious marron glace version as the peak of their art.

all with a specific role and value, from production workers to

www.agrimontana.it

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buen retiro

A large family Antonella Euli

Da Vittorio in Brusaporto, nestling in the hills of Bergamo.

A restaurant becomes a country house hotel and joins the Relais Châteaux collection

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t’s not every day that you get to meet a three-star chef - Michelin stars, of course. But the encounter did take place, as unexpected as Enrico “Chicco” Cerea’s friendliness and warmth. His “Da Vittorio” restaurant in Brusaporto, the Bergamo Hills, attracts gourmets from around the world. It’s also the heart of operations for the illustrious Cerea family. The interview proved to be frank and direct - pretending that I lived on Mars and knew nothing of the place and its history, I asked

Chicco to tell me absolutely everything. “It all started fifty years ago, in 1966 to be exact, when my dad Vittorio and mum Bruna opened a their restaurant in the centre of Bergamo. Everything was normal up to then - Vittorio was the son of those Cereas from the Orobica bar in Bergamo and Bruna was a passionate fan of the hot chocolate she would sip after leaving the

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cinema, exchanging glances with the man of her dreams behind the bar.

Fuelled by one chocolate after the other, their love story led eventually to marriage. I’d already appeared on the scene and Francesco was on the way when a few years later they opened the restaurant on the viale Roma (now the viale Papa Giovanni XXIII), in the heart of Bergamo. It was a modest place, really, there wasn’t much money around at the time. Mum baked cakes and cannoncini pastries three times a day while dad worked in the kitchen. Meanwhile, he kept his eyes open and picked up techniques and ideas from the most skilful chefs. The difference between dad and them was innovation. The “experts” were still anchored in tradition while he looked ahead. He was a pioneer, and like all pioneers he loved adventure, a challenge, and his case this was provided by fish. They were the first to bring the sea to Bergamo, back when nobody else had thought about doing it!” It could have been seen as a bizarre decision, as Vittorio had worked in a butcher’s shop when he was young, but that’s how things turned out and from then on many things changed - all except the Cerea family’s team spirit. What was originally just a restaurant is now an icon of high-quality Made in Italy products and skills. Da Vittorio has developed into an all-embracing

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buen retiro food and hospitality system ranging from the Relais & Château to external services, large events, the Orio bistrot, the pasticceria Cavour and food and beverage in general. The Cerea family is a puzzle made up of twenty-seven pieces - Chicco and Bobo at the cookers, Rossella in the front of house, Francesco handling large events, Barbara at the Pasticceria Cavour in upper Bergamo, mum Bruna in “management supervision” - which includes keeping family dynamics on an even keel - with husbands, wives and grandchildren helping in the kitchen, front of house and pastry shop. And the kitchen is a blistering furnace of creativity, bringing Italian culinary traditions up to date and developing the modernity introduced by the newer generation. This highly effective mix has now become the driving force behind the success of Vittorio’s restaurant. Don’t miss Vittorio’s pandora fish al verde, a dish created to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary, dedicated to Vittorio, Gioconda, the 50th anniversary cake, the la Paccheri alla Vittorio, the grand fritto misto with fruit and vegetables, the warm steamed fish and the Piedmont fish fillet tartare, all accompanied by wines produced by the Cerea family - Faber Rosso Cantalupa and Faber Passito Cantalupa. www.davittorio.com

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country boutique hotel

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On the slopes of Etna Antonella Euli

On one side the sea glitters in the sunlight, while on the other, Mount Etna slumbers.

The air is magic and serene, carrying the scent of citrus and jasmine on the breeze.

From the dawn onwards, the land and sun create a full palate of colors that becomes more varied as dusk approaches

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t the end of on a gravel road and dating back to when monks settled at the foot of Mount Etna, the intimate 18th-century manor house “Monaci delle Terre Nere” is a magical, serene place redolent with wonderful

scents and colours, as it stands within an organic farm overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Creator and charming host Guido Coffa spent five years rescuing the villa from dereliction investing every drop of his energy to create an intimate, relaxing and stylish home. The 19 rooms have been refurbished with thoughtfulness and exquisite taste but the most striking is the 150 sqm King Elegante annexe suite located on a hill top and enjoying a wonderful view of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the perfect accommodation for families and friends looking for privacy while sharing the same house, located 300 mt away from the main building.

The Suite comprises two rooms, a large suite (about 100 sqm) with bedroom, living room with sofa bed, two bathrooms and wardrobe, and a second room (about 50 sqm) with a lobby/ lounge room, bedroom, wardrobe and bathroom. The seaview Suite features two fireplaces. Two bathrooms have a

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country boutique hotel

shower, one has a bath. Guido’s wish was to preserve the historic identity and local traditions - the old wine press and frescoes adorning the ceilings bear witness to the building’s past and are in perfect harmony with wonderfully eccentric paintings by British-Brazilian artist Olivier Mourao, modern furnishings by Flos or B&B Italia and the owner’s personal collection of antiques. Here at Monaci delle Terre Nere,

traditional Sicilian Architecture is combined with

contemporary art and living. It is a place where guests can relax and unwind, and there are no televisions or telephones in the rooms. The air is magical and serene, carrying the scent of citrus and jasmine on the breeze. From the start of the day sea, land and sun create a full palate of colours as dusk approaches - on one side the sea glitters in the sun, on the other Mount Etna slumbers. Monaci delle Terre Nere is a 40 acre estate with a working organic farm cultivating vines,

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country boutique hotel

olives, fruits, herbs and vegetables - life itself, in fact. This is an organic hotel and the owner has applied the principles of bioarchitecture to its restoration. Over 50% of the energy comes from renewable sources such as sunlight and wood. In the morning a delicious buffet of warm bread rolls, home-made jams, prosciutto, cheese, fruits and freshly squeezed juices is served in the breakfast room where the old wine press used to stand, and for dinner the organic dishes with mostly zero-kilometre ingredients are the rock upon which the small restaurant, located on a panoramic terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, is founded. The menus are made with seasonal products. The hosts are wine lovers, and will reveal the secrets of the wine of Mount Etna.

The restaurant is for the exclusive use of guests. It mostly features fresh ingredients, so it’s wise to give prior notice before dining there. www.monacidelleterrenere.it

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historic cellar

Ferrari Trento, the best of Italian Bollicine Antonella Euli

Backed by over a century of history and awards, it’s Italy’s leading Metodo Classico winery and an ambassador of the Italian-style good living around the world

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o understand the legend of Ferrari sparkling wine we have to go back in time to 1902, when Giulio Ferrari dreamt of creating a wine in the Trentino

region that could compare with the best French Champagnes. An enlightened pioneer, his first great intuition was to recognise the extraordinary nature of his native soil, and he began to export his Chardonnay to other Italian regions. At first he produced just a few, select bottles of a very high quality wine. But Giulio had no children and in the early 1950s he began to look for a successor to inherit his dream.

He found one in Bruno Lunelli, the owner of a wine cellar in Trento. His passion and entrepreneurial talent enabled him to increase production without resorting to compromises on quality, and then communicate these values to his sons Franco, Gino and Mauro.

They transformed the Ferrari winery into the highly successful enterprise we know today. The 1960s and 70s saw the launch of some of the labels that were destined to enter history - Ferrari PerlĂŠ and the Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore, a vintage that can be laid down for ten years - and now the Ferrari style is expressed through thirteen Trentodoc wines, from the Classic e Maximum line for the restaurant business to the Ferrari Riserva Lunelli and the Giulio Ferrari Collezione, which defies time with its eighteen

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historic cellar

years of ageing. Nowadays the cousins Marcello, Matteo, Camilla

The brand exports its Trentodoc wines to over fifty countries

and Alessandro, the third generation of the Lunelli family, keep

and is a symbol of good times and happiness - Hollywood stars

the Ferrari dream alive and well, running the company together

celebrate with Ferrari on Oscar night, and Italy’s athletes toast

with an extraordinary team, all sharing one aim - to innovate

their success with it. The fashion and design worlds also choose

on the basis of tradition, introducing Ferrari to the world as

the Trentodoc wines for significant events, and Cantina Ferrari

an ambassador of Italian-style good living. Their activities are

is one of the founding partners of Altagamma. And following

nourished by authentic values, lovingly cultivated generation

tradition, in the 1980s the Lunelli Group diversified production,

after generation. A constant striving for quality and intense

complementing its wines with products that share the same

attention to detail throughout the entire production process

values, from Segnana grappa to Surgiva mineral water, still

have made Ferrari Italy’s leading producer of Metodo Classico

Trento, Tuscany and Umbria wines from the Lunelli estates and

sparkling wines - that’s why every bottle is a unique experience.

the acquisition of a 50% share of Bisol, an established Prosecco

Deep links with the region and respect for its soil underpin the

Superiore brand. The circle is closed by Ferrari’s Michelin-starred

philosophy behind the Ferrari label, rigorously TrentoDOC and

la Locanda Margon restaurant in the outskirts of Treno. An all-

produced exclusively from Trento grapes grown at high altitude,

round success with a hundred-year history.

in line with sustainable mountain agriculture. An emphasis on

www.ferraritrento.it

excellence has meant Ferrari has won a series of awards and accolades, from the Gold Medal at the Milan International Expo in 1906 to the title of Producer of the Year in 2015 and the Champagne Sparkling Wine World Championships, as well as 3 glasses status from the Gambero Rosso guide. Wine Spectator also described Ferrari vintages as World Class Sparkling Wine.

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Above, Ferrari vineyards. Opposite page, some Trentodoc masterpieces, and cousins Marcello, Camilla, Matteo and Alessandro, the third generation of the Lunelli family

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wine

After the harvest Maria Clara Caglioti

Items intended for storage and tasting feature select materials, skilful work and design inspired by traditional products or the flowing lines of the natural world

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1. The Swan tasting glasses in crystal glass, designed and produced by Claudia Ciccotti Design, are made singly by master artisans. The is bowl tilted forward to encourage oxygenation. 2. Cambusa Wine wine cabinet from Riva 1920 in solid walnut, polished with plant-origin wax containing pine nut extracts. Design by Giuliano Cappelletti. 3. and 4. By Lorenzi Milano, the wooden pigskin clad bottle carrier and Champagne set with pincer foil cutters and hermetic stopper in bamboo. 5. The Margaux, Macon and Marne decanters (from left to right) by Riedel are handmade in glass crystal, interpreting the shapes of old, rare brandy and whisky bottles. 6. A type of plastic with exceptional brilliance for the Jellies Family glasses by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell. The decoration is inspired by old jelly moulds

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a family affair

An ancient family farmstead transformed into an exclusive residence for special travellers

Emperor Melpignano Antonella Euli

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ow sadly no longer with us, Sergio Melpignano was a successful lawyer in Rome and an enlightened entrepreneur in his native Puglia. He recognised the enormous potential this region offers, to the extent that he made further significant investments following the success of the Masseria San

Domenico, the result of his wife’s wish to transform their holiday home into a top-flight hotel complex. Her dream has become a thriving reality, and her place of birth has become a destination for elite tourism. Here, comfort and luxury live in harmony with the surrounding natural beauty and local folklore, exalting and reinterpreting the Puglia region. This important heritage has now been passed on

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Previous page, Viola, Marisa and Aldo Melpigano. Above, Villa Magnifica in Borgo Egnazia, a paradise with private gardens, swimming pool and top-notch services, including dedicated local adviser, a friendly housekeeper and a “Happiness Check” in the Vair Spa

to their children,who are continuing to nurture this dream, with great

of transforming your home into a luxury resort?

success - the Masseria San Domenico, San Domenico Golf, Borgo

A. Though I live in Rome I would often return to Puglia with friends.

Egnazia, Masseria Cimino and Masseria Le Carrube are the results of

One summer holiday I took my guests to one of our estates to show

an offer that has turned Fasano and Savelletri into nationally-famed

them the ancient olive groves. That afternoon they were struck by the

venues. The Masseria San Domenico was opened to the public in

imposing appearance of the old building. The Masseria San Domenico

1996 and completed with a thalassotherapy facility in 2000, and the

was in a dilapidated state. “Why not do up the Masseria as a summer

San Domenico Golf, an 18-hole course with exclusive Club House

home?” we thought, looking at the old structure as if seeing it for the

designed by the architect Simos Fermanoglou, adjoining the Guest

first time. The following autumn we began restoration work. For eleven

House Masseria Cimino, was launched in 2003. Next to open was the

years after its completion it was our favourite holiday destination,

Borgo Egnazia in 2011, one of Italy’s largest resorts, and finally the

somewhere to invite friends, too. As the years went by our holiday

Masseria Le Carrube in 2014. Their fame has transcended national

requirements changed and the farmstead was used less and less.

boundaries, widening Puglia’s high-end tourist offer and making the

My husband and I were in Scotland when I suggested transforming

Fasano area a top choice for celebrities, international artists, business

our holiday home into a hotel. We were staying in a lovely residence

tycoons and financial high-fliers.

in Aberdeenshire - the owners shared its quirky character by renting

We met Sergio Melpignano’s heirs to find out what they think of the

a part of it out to guests. It gave us the idea of opening the doors of

Puglia phenomenon and other issues.

our farmstead to tourist visitors who would appreciate the elegance,

Q. Mrs. Melpignano, how and when did you come up with the idea

simplicity and comfort of a private home. This would become the

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a family affair successful formula behind renting out the Masseria.

Q. How would you describe your guests?

A. Demanding and accustomed to the best, surrounded by discreet luxury.

D. What can be done to make Puglia an even more desirable destination?

Q. Improving its infrastructure and providing services that will match those of all our international competitors. If we don’t want our region to lose its identity, we have to protect it by offering quality tourism - meaning cultured, not rich, people who appreciate and respect our natural environment, and enjoy our culture and the exceptional nature of our food and wine, things that generally don’t attract short break visitors.

Q. What’s the best season to plan a trip to Puglia?

A. Puglia offers a different but equally attractive look every season of the year, but I prefer September, when nature is at its most vibrant, before the coming of autumn.

Now over to Aldo Melpignano.

Q. After studying business and marketing abroad, you returned home to look after Borgo Egnazia. Why was that?

A. I’ve had the good fortune to study, work and live in a variety of environments. After ten years’ experience abroad, in 2007 I decided to return to my Puglian roots and devote myself to the hospitality project my family had launched, guided by the values of welcome, uniqueness and community. My aim was to establish “our” Puglia as an international centre of excellence, creating a unique, revolutionary approach to tourism.

Q. Borgo Egnazia could be described as a “type of paradise”. How do you run such a demanding, perfect machine?

A. The hospitality concept behind Borgo Egnazia is “Nowhere Else”.

That means you will enjoy a unique experience here, one that is linked to the region but at the same time is different and contemporary. It springs from deep links with our region, Puglia, and aims to provide an innovative approach, the creation of a new community with no barriers between staff and guests. They share authentic, all-embracing experiences that are rich in meaning. Almost everyone who works for us is from Puglia, so guests can enjoy the typical warmth of our land and people. At the same time we are investing a great deal in training to ensure extremely high quality standards. And speaking of training, we hope to launch an even more ambitious project in 2018. Borgo Egnazia is rather complex when compared to our other farmsteads, so we’ve learnt to work with the systems and processes of large international groups, a world I’ve seen from up close during my academic and professional career. It is this fusion of different ways of working, which could be described as deriving from corporate practices, and the spirit of place embodied by our staff, that makes the Borgo truly unique and special. Curiosity and creativity, knowledge and research are the basic elements for the creation of new forms of tourism that have a clear impact on the future of our region and people, involving travellers from all over the world. The creation of tourism activity based on local excellence is down to my parents they had the vision to invest in this area, and their efforts have enabled it to develop into an internationally-known tourist destination. It was my mother’s determination that drove the development of the Masseria San Domenico project, which launched in 1996 with the aim of creating quality 118

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Borgo Egnazia, an exclusive VIP and jet-set residence, is a perfect interpretation of Italian-style hospitality tourism based on simplicity and a relationship with everything local, from food to architecture. I just learnt from her, and I try to bring the expertise I developed abroad back home.

Q. After the summer and the holidays, now autumn’s on the way. What do you have planned from now to the end of the year?

A. Borgo Egnazia is open all year round and in my opinion Puglia is much nicer outside the summer. It’s not so hot and life in general is less chaotic, so it’s an opportunity to appreciate the region as fully as possible. If I were an Italian or foreign tourist I’d prefer the “other” season. At the Borgo we offer a calendar of events and a selection of experiences during the autumn and winter, too. For example, the olive harvest in November is linked to some of our traditions our guests can take part in. Borgo Egnazia is a unique experience at Christmas as well, with the markets in the piazzas and workshops featuring local artisanal skills and products. We offer a range of open air activities, from golf to cycle touring and hiking through the local gorges - something for everyone, in fact! We also place an emphasis on wellness. Our Vair spa, the Masseria San Domenico’s thalassotherapy and the medical spa offer fitness recovery weeks combined with the benefits of thalassotherapy and the Mediterranean diet.

Q. After London, what will be your new challenge abroad?

A. There are always plenty of new challenges to take on. So far I’ve been focussed on our activities in Puglia and London, but our recent success

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a family affair means we have lots of investment capital looking for other projects. I’d love to take the “Nowhere Else” concept to other locations in Italy and abroad.

I’d like to have a presence in other big cities, but also in mountain and coastal resorts and the British countryside.

Our chat concludes with Viola Melpignano. We ask her why a successful tourism entrepreneur would choose to explore the world of fashion.

Tow views of the Masseria San Domenico - below, the thalassotherapy space where interiors and exteriors combine, and bottom, Puglia’s magical colours

A. Thanks to my mother and brother, our hotels have achieved excellence in hospitality, so I felt the need for a new challenge. Philippo Gifford, one of my best friends, and I had the idea of creating garments with simple lines using only natural fabrics. The result was our Natural Rough brand.

Our constant research and Philippo’s deep knowledge of South America has enabled the project to expand, and the careful selection of materials is now complemented by our interest in the artisanal communities that produce them. We have a special focus on helping women of the Wayuu tribe in Venezuela to make their traditions more widely known by promoting them in the wider world.

Q. How does this project fit in with existing commitments?

A. They fit together very well. My family, in fact, has been a great support, and the boutiques in our hotels have helped sell our collection. That allows me to spend most of the summer in Puglia, to keep an eye on the business.

Q. What does the future hold in store after this collection?

A. Who knows? Let’s hope it’s another lovely project that involves a commitment to safeguarding traditions, just as my family has done in Puglia, and as my partner and I are doing with Natural Rough!

Q. Of all your family’s businesses, which are you most fond of?

A. The Masseria San Domenico, the source of my most wonderful memories of childhood and adolescence.

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design hotel

The colours of elegance Maria Clara Caglioti

The warm, deep colours of the earth are the choice for the intimate, comfortable surroundings of the D.O.M Hotel, where classical taste takes on a contemporary, cosmopolitan appeal 122

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A desire to restore original features like the vaulted ceilings and open brickwork shaped the D.O.M Hotel project. Contemporary furnishings are complemented by vintage pieces and 19th century lamps

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design hotel

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e’re on the famous via Giulia, designed during

holds an evocative memory of the sacred - it is

the Renaissance as Rome’s first and longest

located, in fact, in a 17th century monastery. Architect

straight thoroughfare. Spared the ravages

Antonio Girardi, responsible for the redevelopment

of mass tourism, it’s now one of the capital’s

and part owner of the D.O.M Hotel, has given it a

most elegant streets, lined with prestigious period

worldly, modern and international feel. “I wanted to

residences hidden behind sober facades, refined

transform the use of an ancient space”, says Girardi,

antique shops and artisanal studios. The D.O.M Hotel,

“highlighting and safeguarding the original elements,

at number 131, takes its name from the acronym of the

like the visible brickwork and wooden ceilings”. As a

Latin expression Deo Optimo Maximo, which can be

counterpoint to the period elements, the architect

seen engraved on 16th century marbles discovered in

has introduced Italian design pieces and works by

the nearby church of Santa Lucia del Gonfalone and

prestigious painters and photographers like Man Ray

now on display in the hotel. The hotel’s atmosphere

and Slim Aarons, lending a cosmopolitan accent to

Spectacular mirrors enhance perspectives in the suites, which all overlook via Giulia. Architect Antonio Girardi, the hotel’s co-owner and the person responsible for the renovation, chose a symphony of warm, natural colours

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design hotel the interiors. A soft, cocoon-like elegance recreates the comfort and intimacy of a private home. The dominant themes of the decor are warm, deep earth colours, and an abundance of curtains and fabrics with an Art deco appeal. The mirrors generate plays of reflections, while here and there the soft lights create the impression of night. Artisanal skills and prestigious materials can be seen in every decorative choice. The furnishings - some vintage, others designed by Girardi - embody a classical yet contemporary taste.

In this way he has evoked the atmosphere of an aristocratic salon, an invitation to relaxation and contemplation. The eighteen rooms and suites are like small, light-filled homes, all looking out onto via Giulia. The whitewashed coffered ceilings stand above large beds with sateen velvet bedheads, spectacular mirrors that also serve to conceal the TV screens, and handmade cashmere and silk carpets, all accompanied by mid-20th century furnishings and lamps. Art is given a privileged position throughout, with paintings from up-andcoming artists and a photograph collection. Sophisticated decor also features in the Bar and Achilli al D.O.M restaurant, which move outdoors in summer onto the magnificent fourth-floor terrace. Inside, the bright silk velvet upholstery stands out against black oak floors.

Crystal lamps complement Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen screenprints, while above an antique fireplace hangs a set of antlers, a reference to the deer rampant that is the heraldic symbol of the quarter. www.domhotelroma.com

Black oak flooring unifies the interiors. The Bar, with its ancient brick wall, hosts a collection of art photos.

The silk velvet chairs are designed by the architect

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dĂŠcor design

EASTERN TALES Maria Clara Caglioti

Patterns and motifs from fareaway lands enliven the designs by Misha handmadewallpaper, creating poetic domestic interiors

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he sophisticated design, decorative themes and sumptuous texture of the silk immediately evoke an Eastern feel. The wallpapers offered

by Misha handmadewallpaper, founded in 2007 in Milan by Chiara Enrico after a journey to China (the name is a combination of Milan

and Shanghai) are inspired by the irresistible fascination those faraway lands have always held for Europeans consumers, providing a stimulus for Western creativity and culture. A new collaboration between Misha handmadewallpaper and Wonder World Seasonal now means that the company’s natural scenes feature on the cover of this year’s Summer, Fall and Winter editions. The natural world is the main source of inspiration - the images are drawn mainly from classic eastern iconography, given a modern twist. Branches decked with blossom, butterflies, birds and fabulous buildings are interpreted through the prism of Italian taste and modern sensibilities. The wallpaper is now enjoying growing success, driven by a renewed desire to fill homes with colour and warmth, enhancing their interiors with a poetic narrative touch. Misha’s creations are the perfect complement to today’s lifestyles and decor preferences, as

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dĂŠcor design well as providing elegant backgrounds for design furnishings.

Tradition and innovation are the brand’s complementary guidelines, rehabilitating ancient hand-crafting techniques like the traditional Chinese painting on silk combined with the art of embroidery. This restoration of artisanal methods goes hand in hand with research into new materials - not only silk, but also other natural fibres like straw, linen, hemp and cork are the basis for numerous collections. Even metals make an appearance, giving the surfaces a bright, lustrous shimmer. Misha also offers fabrics like sheer, delicate silk organza, perfect for curtains, and furnishing elements - iron frame coffee tables with painted wallpaper applied to the top surface, night stands and screens (another affectionate reference to the East) clad in hand-painted silk. Their simple, rigorous shape provides a framework for the dreamlike motifs of the decorations. www.mishawallpaper.com

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event

Monaco Yacht Show

Teresa Crespi

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very year the Monaco Yacht Show hosts an exhibition of 125+ extraordinary one-off superyachts built by the world’s most respected shipyards, welcoming over 590 leading companies from the yachting industry. In

September the yachting industry turns its focus exclusively onto the MYS, where 40 new launches are unveiled every

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Sydney Guillemin

From 27 to 30 September, an international show for the most prestigious sector of the pleasure sailing world for a high end clientele and professionals in the luxury yachting industry

year. Firmly established as one of the world’s leading superyacht

with complimentary bus and boat shuttle. A vast assembly of

shows, the Monaco Yacht Show is sure to generate plenty of it

high-tech products and luxury yachts can be seen both in port

excitement as it returns to Port Hercule for its twenty-seventh

and at anchor a short distance away. Now with additional berths,

edition. Held towards the end of September each year, The

the 2017 edition of the show is predicted to attract an even greater

Monaco Yacht Show attracts hundreds of exhibiting companies,

assortment of luxury yachts. Over these four days, participants can

some of the world’s biggest brokerages and over 30,000 visitors

enjoy unique experiences on board the most sumptuous yachts. It

who come to explore leading innovations and influential designs

will also offer an ideal opportunity to discover the principality and

in the yachting industry. Spanning four days the Monaco event

the many restaurants and bars of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains

features an incredible 9,000 squares metres of exhibition space

de Mer. www.monacoyachtshow.com

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Barbara Del Duca barbaradelduca@platinummedialab.com DEPUTY EDITOR Antonella Euli antonellaeuli@platinummeidalab.com PUBLISHER Veronica De Andreis veronicadeandreis@platinummedialab.com ART DIRECTOR Laura Larese de Santo lauralarese@platinummedialab.com FASHION JEWELERY BEAUTY SENIOR EDITOR Beatrice Galbiati beatricegalbiati@platinummedialab.com CONTRIBUTORS Maria Clara Caglioti, Teresa Crespi, Veronica De Andreis Paolo De Vecchi, Valeria Rastrelli PHOTOS iStock TRANSLATIONS Chris Thompson ADVERTISING adv@platinummedialab.com ADMINISTRATION administration@platinummedialab.com PRINT D’Auria Printing spa Via dell’Aspo, 1 - 63100 Ascoli Piceno, Italy

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