The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022 - Issue 31

bitelifestyle entley Homes L uxury living is the dream of anyone who has not yet experienced it but wishes to. Wearing the latest designer clothing, driving high calibre cars or relaxing on a superyacht conjure images of free- dom, relaxation, peace of mind and gratitude for the beautiful things in life. In addition to this luscious lifestyle, luxurious furnishings from high-end brands like Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Trussardi, Bentley Motors and Bugatti adds un Tocco di fascino (a touch of charm) to your home. While Milan, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Paris are traditionally known as the hubs of modern design and furniture, Italy has produced beautifully crafted furniture of class, luxury and sophistication for cen- turies. Its early formation derives from archetypal Roman adaptations that drew heavily from the architectural qualities of Greek designs. The overall structures were made from bronze and wood and accented with precious metals, tortoiseshell and ivory details. In the 15th century, the Renaissance substantially affected design construction. In contrast, the 16th and 17th centuries saw tradition- al processes change as Italian furniture became increasingly inspired by Middle Eastern and Far Eastern cultures. Here, designers blended mythological figures into pieces, and the baroque style included elabo- rate carvings gilded with gold or silver leaf. Italian furniture embraced modern elements from both empire and neoclassical philosophies in the following century. The 1920s saw Italian architect, industrial designer, and furniture de- signer Gio Ponti influence the industry to adopt its elegance, sophis- tication and refinement while bringing modern creativity. During his six-decade career, Ponti built more than a hundred buildings in Italy and the rest of the world. Following the fall of fascism at the end of World War II avant-garde characterised experimental themes across artistic mediums. Designers shifted from smaller-scale, niche produc- tion to industrial production lines. In 1988, Luxury Living Group founder Alberto Vignatelli champi- oned the converging of fashion and interiors after an encounter with fashion designer Anna Fendi led to their first partnership with Fendi Casa. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia in 2017, he said, “Consider- ing visual culture in the elements of materiality and concepts of form, shape and space, it makes sense there is an increased interest in the world of fashion by interior designers (and vice versa).” Within a few decades, Vignatelli had Luxury Living Group develop- ing, producing and distributing home collections for some of the world’s most renowned brands, including those mentioned earlier, Paul Mathieu, Heritage and Ritz Paris. Each collection goes through metic- ulous production processes with attention to detail and craftsmanship that enhance creativity, elegance and design through balancing tradi- tion and innovation. The whole process exalts the Made in Italy values from start to finish.