5.25.2010

MARIANO FORTUNY


MARIANO FORTUNY
"Born in 1871, Fortuny had an eye for Old World beauty and textiles, and moved to Venice at the turn of the century to build his reknowned reputation for creating a new standard in luxury fabric. "-Fortuny.com
Mariano Fortuny designed fabrics and clothing but also created lighting and he was an accomplished artist as this self portrait attests.

His iconic pleating process inspired designers like Japanese designer Issey Miyake and American couturier Mary McFadden before him.

This caftan like dress dates from the 1930's. Totally current.

But  it is his fabrics that made his renown the world over. 

The mottled effect is a company secret and his prints, often old gold or warm silver have a Venetian feel that is at once precious and discreet.
I have been looking for an interesting fabric for entry hall curtains for one of my clients and immediately thought of Fortuny. The richness of his tones would be perfect with the stunning Persian rug we found. Alas the Fortuny fabrics are VERY pricey and as the ceilings are high and we like generous curtains, the cost for the fabric alone is just a little too extravagant. We will probably settle for 4 pillows for the living room and that will be a magnificent compromise. 


The famous printing process this time on velvet. Heaven!

 This old document is embroidered with tiny bronze colored beads giving the warm red fabric a additional luxurious dimension. Worthy of framing.

The simplicity of this vignette is balanced by the exquisite choice of a venetian mirror and a subtle Fortuny print.
images studio veneto, malleries, fortuny, old world pillows, amy howard


au revoir.



2 comments:

  1. Exquisite.

    http://www.shrimptoncouture.com/main/whats-new?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.SC.tpl&product_id=856&category_id=291

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  2. Well, you stopped me dead in my tracks with the title!!! A great post on him and his work. I have some scraps of Fortuny from a job years ago, made a pillow and covet the rest of it!

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