The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2022 - Issue 32

Mario Luca Giusti Nuove Collezioni bitelifestyle F lorence-born glassware designer Mario Luca Giusti is renowned for his practical- ity, elegance, and style with splashes of pop colours in his sophisticated crystal and glass pieces. He grew up in a culturally rich stim- ulus environment and was introduced to beauty and observation in his early childhood. At age 16, he left for Milan, invited by fashion designer Germana Maruelli to stay at her atelier. The lit- erary salon was frequented by intellectuals that stimulated his creative mind. Upon his return to Florence, Giusti discovered a publishing house that produced books on oriental art and theatre, which he studied. He also worked at the family shoe business initially founded in 1865. During his travels, Giusti be- came interested in tables and furniture. In 2007, he designed the famous and iconic Palla jug and Diamante glass, establishing his namesake brand and conquering the Italian market before ex- panding worldwide. His first single-brand shop opened in down- town Florence in 2012, spread over one floor. The brightly lit store showcased his colourful synthetic crystal tableware against pure white in- teriors and niche walls. The flooring was glossy, almost reflective, in the same orange nuance as