The J - Issue 2 - March 2017

issue 2 - March 2017

Lifestyle

36 Hours

in Basel

insight

Greenery Scenery

People

DESIGN WITH AN ITALIAN TOUCH

letter from the

Editor

New season, new journal.

Welcome to issue#2 of The J, our Jewelry Journal, inspired not only by the world of jewelry but also by all the other jewels that enrich our life.

From Basel, a city renown for its fairs, but which has so much more to offer, to the wonders of Lake Como, just a short train ride away and yet so very different. A great escape plan for those wanting to travel to a less known part of Italy or simply wishing to be moved by the beauty of this unique spot.

If you are visiting Italy you cannot miss the Salone del Mobile which, between the 4th and the 9th of April, sets the city of Milan alight with shows and exhibitions from the world of interior design and furniture.

Of this and much more we talked with Giulia Molteni one of the heirs of Molteni&C, a global market leader in all that is interior design and furniture.

2 – The Journal

and select fine jewelry stores www.1884Collection.com

sales@1884collection.com

Contents The Journal - March 2017

Editor in chief Edoardo Cela Managing Editor Ilaria Maggi Creative Director Alexandra Hemon

8.

Insight

Greenery Scenery Jewels that pop in shades varying of Pantone’s Color of the Year.

Short Statements Black and white necklaces in choker and collar lengths go from catwalk to mainstream.

Wrist Kissed Bold bangles, luxurious links, and curvy cuffs; the wrist is the place most loved this season.

Garden Glam These whimsical wonders sing for spring and summer.

14.

22.

Graphic Designer Valeria Romeo Contributors Federica Barbaro, Riccardo Costa, Giulia Benefico, Rebecca Hammer, Barbara Palumbo, Costanza Romagnoli, George Kelly, Antonio Veronesi, Luigi Veronesi Published by The Jewelry Journal 18 East 41st Street Suite 1906 New York, NY 10017 USA t. + 1 212 8471336 adv@ thej-journal.com www.thej-journal.com For all inquiries please see contacts above

Lifestyle

Executive publisher Synersea srl Via Vincenzo Monti 5/a 20123 Milan Italy

Watches

t. +39 02 48010910 redazione.milano@synersea.it www.synersea.it

36 Hours in Basel

Watches for the Renaissance Woman: IWC paints their iconic Da Vinci in a different light.

Cover Oceana Earrings in white gold, blue sapphires and diamonds, VanLeles © Illustration Valeria Romeo The Jewelry Journal is a bi-monthly publication distributed through a selected network of jewelry retailers and through a mailing list of high net worth individuals and VIPS.

4 – The Journal

Maison FRED 14 rue de la Paix, Paris

COLLECTION FORCE

www.fred.com

10

24.

Italian Craftsmanship A zoo for Tiffany and the silver Chrysler

28.

The Address

34.

People

36.

Interior design

Lakeside Grand Tour

DESIGN, WITH AN ITALIAN TOUCH

MILAN DESIGN DAYS:

Inspiration and Creativity.

40.

44.

Food

Italian Spirit

Style

Pantone swears!

Green will be the color of year two thousand seventeen.

6 – The Journal

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insight

Greenery Scenery

Jewels that pop in shades varying of Pantone’s Color of the Year.

by Barbara Palumbo

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8 – The Journal

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10 – The Journal

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The Journal – 11

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12 – The Journal

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The Journal – 13

Š Mark Niendermann

Lifestyle

36 Hours in Basel

Business and leisure, tradition and contemporaneity, the city on the Rhine has a cosmopolitan air with its international events full of luxury, art and jet set.

by Federica Barbaro

EVENTS Baselworld

Art Basel

From 23rd to 30th March 2017

From 15th to 18th June 2017

It is the World Watch and Jewelry Show, the opportunity to discover new tendencies and the latest creations. Basel Is again confirmed as the main destination for business people in this field. Every year in Spring the city is crowded with more than 80 thousand visitors from all over the world.

Along with Hong Kong and Miami Beach parallel fairs, Art Basel is the modern and contemporary art event in Europe. It has different sections for different art forms.

Artworks come from most important galleries and collections.

The Journal – 15

LIFESTYLE

WHERE TO SLEEP Swissotel Le Plaza Basel Messeplatz 25 Close at hand and comfortable A three-minutes walk to the fair A few minutes walk from the old town center and above all in a central position in the same square of the show, the four star superior hotel has 238 large rooms and suites.

You start your day with a rich breakfast at the hotel restaurant Grill 25, then enjoy an hour of sports followed by sauna and Turkish bath in Purovel. Then it’s time to discover the city: by using the free mobility ticket you can take public transport both on the day of your arrival and on the day of departure.

Hotel Wettstein Grezacherstrasse 8 Leisure meets business A ten minute walk from the fair With its welcoming atmosphere and its wonderful garden Hotel Wettstein is the perfect place if you want to plunge yourself into the city atmosphere and fully enjoy the district.

The hotel has recently been renovated and its 73 rooms are fitted in a modern style with an artistic touch: each room shows a scene of “Vogel Gryff”, the most important festival in the district of Kleinbasel. A fitness area is at your disposal along with bicycles to ride along the many paths. And if you are on a business trip and need a meeting area, the Meeting Room is at your disposal with natural light and space for 12 people. It also offers several services such as Wi-Fi, paper or coffee!

SWISS CREATIVE LAB

ICONS 8th edition

during BASELWORLD 2017

from March 23 to 30

Ramada Plaza Hotel • Exhibition Tower free entry • friendly welcome

URWERK • RUDIS SYLVA • CHRISTOPHE CLARET • AKRIVIA MONTANDON & Co. • HG TIMEPIECE Marc Newson EDELBERG • ATLANTIC Watches • DöTTLING Germany ERNST BENZ • 1884 COLLECTION BLAKEN Germany • JUVO Winders • BELTON HK SwissLuggage SL • Simone Micheli Arc. • NALDI-ITALY J.-C. PELLATON • KLOKERS • GoS of Sweden • HYSEK Design Sartoria AMARCORD • TIANJIN Distribution Project • swisscreativelab.com •

LIFESTYLE

WHERE TO EAT Tibits. Stanzlergasse 4 For a healthy lunch on the opposite side of the Rhine A 25-minute walk from the fair area This chain is present not only in the UK but also in Switzerland. It is perfect for dining in a refined yet convivial setting offering only fresh ingredients. At Tibits Basel quality always matches freshness: there is a large choice of dishes, from traditional vegan food to vegetarian and international dishes like the delicious Thai curry or vegan rice croquettes! If you are eight or more remember to book in advance so to taste a super-healthy dinner.

Cheval Blanc. Blumenrain 8 For a gourmet dinner An 18-minute walk from the fair area In one of the oldest five-star hotels in Europe, the beautiful Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, you will find one of the most famous restaurants in Basel led by the starred chef Peter Knogl. He is famous for his cuisine influenced by northern, Spanish and also Mediterranean with Asian traces tradition. His dishes are refined and elaborate. Most of his recipes are based on fish and vegetables with sour flavors of vinegars and citrus, and by the sauces he personally cooks. In fact he never leaves his brigade of eight people. The restaurant has a charming old atmosphere; Knogl’s cuisine is both classical and modern with its interesting flavors and perfectly matches one of the precious bottles of Cheval Blanc Chateau Bordoles, with the same name of the restaurant, which is kept in the restaurant wine vault.

Bar Rouge. Messeplatz 10 Cocktail with a view A two minute walk from the fair area You will think you can touch the sky and, moreover, take in the whole city at a glance. At 105 meters above Basel cocktails have a different taste: either shaken or mixed, alcoholic or soft, bartenders make the drinks according to your taste and accompany it with small portions from the cuisine. Then you can plunge yourself into the night movida: the perfect relax to end your day. ŠMarc Gilgen 18 – The Journal

Meanwhile, in your free time

©Basel Tourismus

LIFESTYLE

If your engagements make it possible, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the architectural beauties and the typical places in the city. While walking in the old town center you can admire the Munster, Basel Cathedral: it was built in early 1000 A.D. and completed in 1500 A.D. In perfect Gothic style, the ancient Bishop seat stands out over the river Rhine and shines all over the region with its presence. Another symbol of the city, the Tinguely Fountain, was built in 1977 where once the stage of the public theatre was. It was built in 1977 and took the name the artist who covered the basin with black asphalt and placed some mechanic sculptures from which water flows…. And this is just one of the 200 fountains in the city. All of them, with one only exception, deliver drinkable water!

And, if art is your great passion, you are in the perfect place: with nearly forty museums, Basel is called the “City of museums” and its inhabitants are art lovers. At least a couple of these museums are worth a visit.

The Vitra Design Museum, which was planned by the Californian architect Frank Gehry, is regarded as one of the most important design museums in the world: a visit will make you understand the relationship between design or architecture and contemporary cultures as well as future technologies and sustainability. And in a charming park you will find the Fondation Beyler of which Renzo Piano planned the building. Its collection shows more than 200 masterpieces of modern and contemporary art from Monet to Van Gogh, from Warhol to Klee. Finally drop in at the Markthalle: under the same roof you will find both interesting shops and services along with paces where to taste international food and Sunday brunches.

If you wish to cross the Rhine, board one of the four ferryboats - “Wilde Maa”, “Leu”, ”Fogel Gryff” and “Ueli” that sail under the five bridges. They can cross the river without engines, carried only by the current and will take you from one bank to the other, from Kleinbasel to Grossbasel.

The Journal – 21

Watches

Watches for the Renaissance Woman: IWC Paints Their Iconic Da Vinci in a Different Light.

by Barbara Palumbo

It seems that nearly every genre of the luxury industry over the decades has been influenced in some form or another by Leonardo Da Vinci, and rightfully so. Montblanc looked to the Renaissance master’s painting techniques when they created their Meisterstück Sfumato line of leather goods. The “Giardini Segreti” jewelry collection by Eugenia Bruni for Pasquale Bruni was inspired by the secret garden in Milan where Da Vinci was known to create beauty using color and canvas. And there have even been specialty, trademarked diamond cuts created using the mathematics of the Divine Proportion; a formula often associated with Da Vinci because of his evident usage of it in works like The Last Supper, La Joconde (otherwise known as the Mona Lisa), and the Vitruvian Man. But in the luxury watch world, one company decided to take a different approach in their homage to this master by not only fusing the soul, complexity, and timelessness of the inventions and art of Leonardo Da Vinci into their collection, but also by reintroducing those pieces to a realm of buyers often over-

22 – The Journal

looked and largely undermarketed to in the Swiss watch industry: Women.

The 2017 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Genève (or, SIHH as it is more commonly called) saw the launch of IWC Schaffhausen’s newly updated Da Vinci collection. The first IWC Da Vinci debuted in 1969 as a single style rather than an entire collection and it contained the Beta 21 quartz movement housed inside a hexagonal-shaped gold case with accompanying bracelet. This case shape would serve as an influence on a later model of the Da Vinci which was introduced in 2007 with a tonneau-shaped case. It was in 1985, however, that an extreme makeover seemingly took place. That was the year that the newly-designed IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar (Ref. 3750) with its round case and hinged lugs was introduced to the watch-buying world; a world, at the time, that was overly infatuated

Watches

with less expensive and largely less interesting quartz and electronic watches. It was a risk for the brand but one that nevertheless separated them from the pack, which may also be the very reason IWC put themselves out there on a limb again this year.

For the first time in the company’s history, the Da Vinci models were launched with an emphasis on the female watch buyer, wearer, and collector. And while there was an impressive selection of Da Vincis introduced for men at this year’s SIHH, it was clear that IWC saw an opportunity to speak directly to the gender that drives nearly 80% of all consumer purchasing in the United States; the gender that does so largely through influence.

The Da Vinci Automatic 36 and the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 were not just created smaller (making them more appealing to the female wearer), but the rounded crowns and a recessed inner circle on the dial give the watches a softer, more delicate look, (again visually tying the watch to the soft, delicate works of its artist namesake).

Another appeal of this new collection is the colorful alligator leather straps that accompany some of the new models. These straps were made exclusively for IWC by Italian shoe designer Santoni, and add one more layer of connection to Da Vinci via a nod to the country of his birth. The straps are available in dark blue, bronze, raspberry, and dark brown, each crafted with a polishing process that uses pastes so that the subtle spectrum of various hues develops its own shimmery patina, creating a one-of-a-kind look on every watch they grace.

What this watch brand has reminded the world – and women for that matter – by relaunching this iconic collection is that Leonardo Da Vinci was consummately curious.

He asked questions, he made changes, and he lived in a constant state of wanting to improve himself and the world around him. By taking a collection that had previously been successful and updating it not only via it’s horological make-up but also by its general outreach, IWC set itself apart, and in the watch sector of the luxury industry, it has been proven over and over again that those who stand alone often stand the test of time.

The Journal – 23

ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP

A zoo for Tiffany and the silver Chrysler These are some of the works from Argenteria Pagliai, a family business in the third generation that is based in Florence and known all over the world.

by Rebecca Hammer

24 – The Journal

ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP

Orlando Pagliai, born in Florence in 1906, started his apprenticeship as a silversmith with Virgilio Mazzoli. Then in January 1947 he set up his own business. Argenteria Pagliai’s main activities are the restoration of ancient pieces belonging both to privates and to public conservation institutions along with the production of new frames, plates, etc., or the duplication of ancient cutlery, a typical handicraft activity largely appreciated abroad. Unique pieces with different kinds of elaborate engravings are made on order.

In the sixties America discovered Florence.

The first fashion show had just taken place thanks to Giovanni Battista Giorgini , the first one who understood the great potential of Italian craftsmen on international markets, especially in the USA. And it was thanks to him that Pagliai started his cooperation with Tiffany & Co. The international brand was looking in Florence for sophisticated specialists who could produce its silver creations.

Stefania Pagliai, Orlando’s granddaughter, remembers: “Tiffany had the idea of a very important project: the making of silver sculptures with Renaissance inspiration or inspired by pieces exhibited at the silverwork museum. All commissions were for boxes shaped as mythological figures and imaginary animals: a toad with paws of a bear, inspired by the ancient Ming culture, a deer, a panther, a lion, a snail, fish of different shapes.

The procedure was as follows: the designer drew sketches, then the plaster was made and used as a model for the wax fusion. Raw pieces came out and had to be chiseled. We made very special boxes, important pieces.

We still do some of them like the saltcellar shaped as a little fish.

I can tell you a couple of funny anecdotes referring to these pieces.

Tiffany had commissioned a fish like the one that is still in the Museum of Silverware, but in order to avoid making a forgery of a Seventeenth Century piece, my father and my grandfather made it with small alterations.

The original piece has a becchino and a fin which they chose not to make. It was totally hand chiseled and it came out so well that they decided to make another one for our archive. This didn’t happen with a small snail also made for Tiffany: my father didn’t want

26 – The Journal

to make it again because he didn’t like it.

Luckily my grandfather archives everything they make so he had pictures of the piece, so we knew we had made it! Once I was walking on Ponte Vecchio and I saw the snail in a shop window. I recognized it immediately, but I wanted to be sure and so we sent a friend to investigate. They told him that the piece was very important, it was a Tiffany!

And Tiffany Italy was written under its base.

In short, my mother went there and bought it back. But the most important commission is that of a gentleman from Rome who, not very long ago, asked us to make a silver reproduction of the Chrysler State Building. It was an enormous job which took us from March 2013 to February 2014. We used 10 kilos of silver and it took 600 hours work. Our customer already had a small silver model of the Chrysler but he didn’t like it, it wasn’t good enough. He wanted an identical model of the original building. We fully studied the project on different books about both the building with its irregular floors and varied structure, and its details as the heads of the eagles, which were to be perfectly reproduced.

He wanted the windows to be shiny and reflective as a mirror. We agreed that, once the structure with its holes was finished, it should fit as a glove around very smooth and glossy plates thus giving the impression of mirrors.

All hems were made with silver borders.

Since it is necessary that important pieces may be disassembled in case some maintenance is needed, we had inserted a screw to keep it firm, a sort of backbone that ran all along the skyscraper. We had also made a silver platform as a basement. But he also asked for another base. “I want a base made of black Belgian marble”, he said. The result was excellent, it looked exactly like the real skyscraper. The engraved parts and the spire were burnished while we used a special antioxidant protective lacquer for all other parts, which had to be shining. We were so glad to see how happy our customer was when we delivered it. We put the Chrysler on a windowsill and the reflection of the sun made it shine. We felt very pleased and proud so we gave ourselves the pleasure of taking a full size picture.”

The Journal – 27

Casta Diva, Hall

Lakeside Grand Tour

From Como to Cernobbio, Lario to Bellagio and Tremezzo: a grand tour along the banks of Lake Como, amongst villas and historic gardens, enchanting landscapes and the Italian dolce vita.

by Federica Barbaro

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni

Romantic - both Goethe and Stendhal were great admirers glamorous yet reserved Hollywood stars love spending their vacations here - lake Como is striking for the gorgeous villas that rise up from the banks, the lush gardens, mountains, and the wooded ridges that surround the peaks. This was the setting for Alessandro Manzoni’s masterpiece, The Betrothed, as well as a holiday destination for Napoleon Bonaparte and pianist Franz Liszt; today, it is still a hot spot for the jet set, but Lake Como has much more to offer.

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni 30 – The Journal

Il Sereno

First of all, the city of Como, the perfect compromise between noble villas, lakeside views, and historic churches. The Duomo hosts masterpieces such as Luini’s Adoration of the Magi and a set of tapestries dating from the 16th-17th centuries based upon the drawings of Arcimboldo. One of the most exclusive vacation retreats is Casta Diva Resort & Spa in Blevio: with a sprawling botanical garden of 26,000m² (nearly 6.5 square acres), it is an oasis of peace and relaxation, with a spa carved out of the grotto, luxurious villas (7 in all, two private) characterized by their retro elegance. The restaurant offers a top-level menu, thanks to the collaboration of Chef Enrico Derflinger, who can boast his credentials as chef for the British Royal Family and George Bush’s White House, as well as his award as Ambassador of Italian Cuisine in the World. Luxurious hospitality can be found at Torno as well, with the recent opening of Il Sereno, a luxury hotel designed by Patricia Urquiola. The design is staid and minimalist, ultra-contemporary. Each of its thirty suites has a terrace with a lakeside view; the restaurant is managed by starred-chef, Andrea Berton, and the garden hosts botanical art by Patrick Blanc. In the midst of the main garden, guests can relax by the mirror pool or wander down to the private beach. For a day trip to the surrounding areas, nothing tops a Riva, which the hotel kindly provides for its

guests. If you would rather enjoy the view from above, take the old funicular up to Brunate, where you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama. At the tip of the promontory that divides the lake, lies Bellagio. With a stunning view of the Alps to the north, it is considered the pearl of Lake Como. The ancient center, full of charming historic villas, is crossed by mysterious narrow alleys and typical cobblestone stairways, lined with multicolored artisan shops and characteristic restaurants and bars. It’s worth stopping to taste some exquisite fish at Da Silvio, the restaurant has been run by the Ponzini family for over five generations. For those on the lookout for luxury, Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, owned by the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, is a 5-star luxury hotel nestled by the lakeside. The historic villa is ideal for relaxing while being surrounded by nature. Try enjoying a drink by the pool, a massage in the spa, or a motorboat tour. Also striking, though less glamorous, is nearby Varenna, with its narrow streets and historic quarters, ideal for discovering the local crafts and delicious fish-based cuisine. A cult destination where lake hospitality is tradition.

Welcome to Cernobbio, with its famed Villa d’Este, a historic estate where you can savor a drink on the enchanting terrace. Or stop by the Trattoria del Glicine, perfect for a delightful lunch of fish, meat or vegetables, accompanied by a fine bottle of wine from their cellars.

The Journal – 31

The Address

Villa Carlotta

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with 90 rooms and suites, probably has the best view on the lake, straight across from Bellagio.

The panorama can also be enjoyed from the hotel’s main restaurant, La Terrazza, which is much appreciated for its fine Italian cuisine.

The ideal place to set out for a boating excursion, the hotel is located next to the majestic Villa Carlotta. Built in the 1600s, it is renowned for its art collection and lush gardens, with an infinite bouquet of multicolored camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, peonies and more than 150 varieties of azaleas, and ancient cedars and sequoias.

Located in the heart of Lario is Villa Balbianello, which now belongs to FAI (Italian Environmental Fund), where you can stroll past cascades of wisteria, hydrangea and azalea. Inside, you can explore the antique French and British furniture from the 1700-1800s, oriental rugs, tapestries by Beauvais Manufactory, French boiserie, African, Chinese, Mayan, and Aztec art collectables, and Chinese ceramics from the Tang and Ming dynasties.

32 – The Journal

PRECISION INSTRUMENTS FOR TIMEKEEPING

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People

DESIGN, with an italian touch

A third generation family company in the words of Giulia Molteni, head of marketing and communication OF MOLTENI&C AND DADA.

by Ilaria Maggi

Tradition, innovation and an obsession for quality. These are the three key values of Molteni Group, a company which, with 80 years of history, 275 million euros of turnover 2015 and 70% of exports, is definitely a market leader. “The right balance between tradition and innovation is the core around which our company has grown. We started as an artisan’s laboratory in 1934, but already in the Fifties the company was a market leader in Europe with over 200 employees and high tech machinery. The big leap came in 1968, under the guidance of Luca Meda, who pushed the company to innovate: from 34 – The Journal

classical furniture to modern. A double personality developed, in partnership with some of the great masters of our time as well as young talents. From Aldo Rossi, to Norman Foster to Renzo Piano and Alvaro Siza.”

Giulia Molteni, daughter of the current CEO Carlo and head of marketing and communication, speaks with passion of the Molteni Group which now comprises also Dada, kitchens, Unifor, office furniture and Citterio which, as well as producing office furniture is specialized in temporary partitions. “The common trait through time and brands is quality. Something that was very much the

People

strength of my grandfather Angelo Molteni, but also of my grandmother Giuseppina, who was, as it was customary at the time, less in the limelight but nevertheless involved in the family business. Still today the obsession over detail is an integral part of our brand DNA. Over 5% of our turnover is reinvested in our research and development facilities and we are the first company to be fully connected so all processes can be monitored and we can ensure the highest quality standards are met.” Giulia Molteni is particularly enthusiastic about the recent exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the company. The exhibition called 80!Molteni was held at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Milan and received over thirteen thousand visitors - five thousand during the Salone del Mobile alone (the Milan furniture fair which occurs every year in April). “To this one must add the Molteni Museum, also launched in 2015, one of the few museums exclusively dedicated to furniture”.

The museum is in Giussano, a small town in the heart of Brianza, the area North of Milan were most furniture and design companies have been traditionally based.

The museum is inside an industrial shed built in the Fifties and renovated first by Aldo Rossi and Luca Meda in 1986, in 2004 by Studio Cerri & Associati and then in 2016 by Vincent Van Duysen. The museum showcases 48 iconic pieces and unique prototypes of the Molteni&C, Dada, Unifor and Citterio collections. History is a fundamental asset to the company. “It is extremely important for us to continue a process of historical rediscovery. That is why we decided to re introduce in 2012 Gio Ponti, after reaching a 10 year agreement with the Ponti family. The famous architect was an avid worker and produced innumerable pieces, most of which however were one offs, designed for private individuals. Thanks to Molteni&C these pieces, such as the Poltrona D.154.2 made for a family of entrepreneurs from Caracas, are now part of the heritage collection and will be available to our customers, in a limited edition, where some parts of the production process are sill carried out by hand, in accordance with Gio Ponti’s philosophy.

Giulia Molteni arrived in the company after 4 years in New York working for Loro Piana.

“The world of design always fascinated me and I was very curious about it, but I also felt I needed to extend my horizons.” After entering the family business she immediately launched a number of important projects such as the Molteni Museum and the redesign of the company website with the idea of “creating a community”. “We are working with a well known agency and the project is still in the making as a way to rethink and elevate the overall customer experience.”

Also in this direction is the complete restyling of their 1300 square feet store in Corso Europa in Milan. The new space will be ready for this year’s edition of the Salone del Mobile and will be the first Molteni Dada store, a new starting point to revisit the entire concept of retail. Molteni has a strong connection with the Salone del Mobile. “In 1961 my grandfather was one of the 14 founders of the Salone del Mobile. Forward thinking and definitely enlightened.” A light that still shines.

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MILAN DESIGN DAYS: Inspiration and Creativity

Milan’s favorite Spring event is back: the International Furniture Exhibition, the Salone del Mobile, has reached its 56th edition.

With many innovations, such as Euroluce, dedicated to lighting design, and Workplace3.0. The SaloneSatellite attracts young designers from all over the world, called to create their exhibits around the open question “Design is...?”. But the exhibition is mostly famous for its many “off ” events.

5VIE (5 streets) occupies a wide area between Corso Magenta and via Cesare Correnti with a truly international calendar.

There’s the classic Tortona district around the iconic via Tortona, and the more alternative Ventura-Lambrate exhibition, with its brand new addition at Ventura-Centrale. Finally. Porta Venezia and Brera all host special, dedicated events.

by Giulia Benefico

The sophisticated FLOURISH fabric, by Dedar, blends elegant forms, colors and finish. The silk fabric is enriched by velvet embroidery, bright and three-dimensional.

The geometric decoration is inspired by Moorish flowers.

The modern Recipio sideboard by Maxalto in solid wood, is extremely versatile, and can be used in the dining room or in the entrance. Its surface is suited to serving food or arranging heirlooms and lamps. Red paint and a lacquered rubber finish turn this set piece into a sophisticated and glamorous display.

INTERIOR DESIGN

A soft velvet shell provides the perfect seating for a moment of pure relax. The D.154.2 armchair, by Gio Ponti for Molteni, features a comfortable backrest that holds the user in a warm embrace with a taste of retro. Comfort, classic and timeless style make this a truly unique piece.

The new floor lamp GLOBO GM, by Tung is a seductive creation. Contemporary and forward looking, the web of black metal wire creates an iconic sphere. The alternating full and empty spaces brings out the white light and the red wiring, for an engaging and timeless look.

Elegant lines for the oval Ambo tables, to be used alone or in pairs, made by Dall’Agnese to bring a touch of class to your drawing room. The solid chrome metal base and the matte white lacquered finish mix style and function in this versatile and original piece.

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The Journal – 39

Italian

Spirit

Pomace, fermentation, distillation, and alembic stills: these are the four keywords for capturing the “Italian Spirit�.

As told through the stories of four historic Italian companies and their products.

by Costanza Romagnoli

TASTE

Distillerie Nonino 100% discontinuous distillation The Nonino family has dedicated itself to the art of distillation since 1897, using a 100% artisan method. In 1973, Benito and Giannola revolutionized the way grappa is produced. They created the single varietal grappa, Monovitigno®, by distilling pomace (the residual skins, pulp, stems and seeds from the winemaking process) from Picolit grapes separately. Quality is their passion and they have forever changed the aesthetics of drinking grappa, transforming it from “Cinderella” into “the reining queen of distillates”. Unique the world over, Nonino is composed of five artisan distilleries, each containing 12 discontinuous copper steam alembic stills that are used for the production of Nonino’s inimitable spirits. Their grappa is aged naturally in small sealed barrels that are under the permanent surveillance of the Customs and Monopoly Agency, bottled with 0% added coloring, in homage to true artisan traditions and rhythms.

Nonino Distilleries, discontinuous copper steam alembic stills.

The Journal – 41

TASTE

An All-Italian Delight for the Aperitivo In 1933, through the skillful art of alchemy, Antonino Nonino began developing grappa infusions using wild herbs from Carnia: these are the origins of Amaro Carnia. Together, Giannola and Benito created ÙE®, a grape-based aqua vitae that begins the aging process in small barrels with numerous wood essences, and is then stored in the cellars of Cristina, Antonella, and Elisabetta. In 1992, the splendid results of ÙE®, combined with Antonio Nonino’s vast experience, led to the creation of Amaro Nonino Quintessentia®.

This amaro is ennobled today by the addition of a part of ÙE® grappa that has been aged in barrique barrels from Limousin and Nevers, along with some that have been used previously for the production of sherry.

Distillerie Bonollo Bonollo Distilleries is a historic company that has been producing spirits for more than 100 years and over four generations. It is renowned for its prized high-quality grappa.

The family has perfected an exclusive double distillation process that allows for the full expression and perception of the inimitable aromatic range of their aqua vitae. Their knowledge has been passed down through the family, and comes from a profound understanding of the primary raw materials and their potential.

This leads to a careful choice of the most appropriate production methods, in order to ensure that the full aromatic potential is extracted from the pomace.

Distillerie Poli Poli Distilleries is a historic company with an artisan character, founded in 1898 in the town of Schiavon. For four generations, they have continued to use an antique copper alembic still to produce grappa and special spirits that embody the perfect balance between character and elegance. After a long period of passionate research, in 1993, the Poli Grappa Museum was founded, a gesture of the Poli family’s profound gratitude towards grappa. Exceptional artisan distillation tradition must host two souls: a respect for tradition and the search for innovation. It was through the crossing of these two elements that Grappa Cleopatra Amarone Oro was created, utilizing the ancient Crysopea method, updated with modern knowhow and the implementation of an innovative steam alembic still under vacuum pressure.

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TASTE

Marzadro Distilleries Distilleria Marzadro, from Nogaredo, is an example of high-quality specialization in the production of the quintessential “Made in Italy” spirits, grappa. After more than 60 years of full-fledged production, Marzadro can count itself among the most outstanding producers in the Trentino region. Production began in 1949, when Sabina Marzadro decided to build an alembic still to distill the pomace that was delivered to the courtyard on her property. Right from the first bottles she produced, it was clear what Sabina had in mind: to become a well-known name in the distillation sector. This was essential for producing a high-quality grappa at a reasonable price.

Her idea paid off: demand grew for grappa Marzadro. That was when her brother, Attilio, who had by then become the company owner, purchased a Fiat Giardinetta (it was the only car in town at that time) to quickly deliver bottles throughout the region.

Noteworthy facts: • Grappa is an aqua vitae produced from pomace that is derived exclusively from grapes that are produced and vinified in Italy, where it must also undergo distillation. Pomace distilled in other countries cannot be called grappa.

There is no need to add the word “Italian” to grappa: it is already, by definition, an entirely Italian product, in both culture and tradition.

• The two methods of distillation used for grappa are: a 100% discontinuous distillation or artisan method, and the continuous distillation method which is used for industrial production.

• “Grappa tasting. Get acquainted, learn how to choose and how best to pair it.”

Some advice for tasting The ideal glass for tasting grappa is tulip-shaped, with a broad bowl and an opening that is not too narrow.

Serving temperature varies from 9-13 °C (48-55°F) for young grappa to 17 °C (63°F) for grappa that has been aged in wood barrels, in order to best appreciate the typical aromas that emerge as a result of the aging process.

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STYLE

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�4 � 44 – The Journal

6

Pantone Swears!

Green will be the color of year two thousand seventeen.

3 5

1. A logical sequence of emerald green lines, the Cachepot Vase from Richard Ginori’s Labyrinth Collection is the perfect synthesis of ancient cultures and modern design. 2. How to detoxify suffocated skin and light its dull coloring? It is enough to add few drops of Booster Detox by Clarins to your cream and the good effect is guaranteed. 3. A timeless classic, that sporty, super cool touch. Stan Smith, Adidas. 4. A kit with a traditional bowl, Chasen mixer, Chasaku bamboo paddle and a thirty-gram box of the best Japanese green tea. Kusmi Tea Matcha Gift Set. 5. The unmistakable design of the 50’s combined with today’s power and technology, home appliances also contribute to stylish home décor Smeg toaster. 6. Apsu Ulrich Lang New York is the clean, minimalist and contemporary fragrance that redefines the idea of freshness. 7. A sophisticated mixing of rare boisé essences reminiscent of a sparkling and cracking fireplace. Evocation of a warm, familiar atmosphere, Feu De Bois Diptique.

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