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A Look We Love

Living La Dolce Vita : Part 1

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who didn’t love Italy.

And why not? Friendly people, amazing architecture, Italian fashion and design, and, of course, great food. On Madison just returned from ten fabulous days in Italy and soaked up a big dose of Italian style. We’ve put together a montage of some of our favorite photos along with our discoveries of where to stay, where to eat, and where to shop.

Also, On Madison would like to thank Ashley Turney of L’Esperta who helped make many of the arrangements for our trip. She lived in Italy for many years and has insider knowledge of all things Italian. Brava, Ashley!

So here’s to La Dolce Vita!

Residenza Ruspoli Bonaparte: Centrally located near the Spanish Steps, this palazzo was converted to residence apartments. As one of the most renowed 16th Century buildings in Rome, we felt like nobility in these grand, highly ornate suites. And why not? Queen Ortensia resided here with her son, Napoleon III, Emperor of the Second Empire and grandson of Napoleon Bonaparte I.

G-Rough suites, Rome: Designed by Emanuele Garosci and conceived by Gabriele Salini, this ambitious 5 star hotel aims to redefine the very concept of hospitality. An eclectic mix of Italian vintage pieces from the 50’s and 60’s (swoon) in a rough yet refined atmosphere, this place has style and grace that is authentically Italian to its core.

Belmond Hotel Cipriani: One of the true grande dame hotels of Venice, the Cipriani’s location is actually across the lagoon from Piazza San Marco on the island of Giudecca. Reserve a table at their Michelin star restaurant Oro on the terrace and gaze across at Venice in all its splendor. Guaranteed, you will feel like one of the rich and famous.

Studio Lucio Bubacco: Tucked away from the more famous names in glass on the isle of Murano is the small studio of Signore Lucio Bubacco. We discovered his work more than 20 years ago and had the pleasure of visiting his studio on this trip as well. Signore Bubacco is an amazing artist and On Madison will be collaborating with him on some commissioned pieces when he visits the states later this year. Images via the Corning Museum of Glass.

Villa Foscari, Veneto: Architecture devotees will undoubtedly know the name Palladio (November 1508 – 19 August 1580). Palladio designed some of the most beautiful villas and buildings in Italy. The Doges Palace, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, and the Villa Foscari are some of the most beautiful he designed. The Villa Foscari, on the banks of the Brenta River, gives us a fantastic glimpse of 15th Century Venetian country life. Images via the Villa Foscari site.

And stayed tuned for Part II of Living La Dolce Vita where we share our personal photos from the trip!

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Most Coveted: Les Giacometti d’Hubert de Givenchy

There are auctions, and then there are auctions.

Certain kinds of auctions are rarefied events (think the auction of Yves St. Laurent and Pierre Berge’s apartment at Christie’s in Paris, 2009) offering works of exceptional artists that have been collected by exceptional patrons.

This past week, Christie’s held “Les Giacometti d’Hubert de Givenchy”, a collection of works by the designer and sculptor Diego Giacometti. Givenchy’s friendship with Giacometti spanned decades and his collection includes some of the master’s most iconic works, including the octagonal table (shown below) with Caryatids and Atlantes in patinated bronze, which fetched over $4 million USD—well above the auction estimate of 800,000-1,200,000 euros.

Givenchy met Giacometti through a friend, art collector and designer Gustav Zumsteg, who gifted Givenchy a gueridon designed by Giacometti. Thus began their long friendship and collaboration. Giacometti, who was born in Switzerland, traveled to Paris to collaborate with the renowned interior designer Jean-Michel Frank.

Frank introduced him to fashion legends like Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Helene Rochas. In Paris, Diego became the preferred designer within the city’s most fashionable circles, receiving commissions to furnish the city’s most elegant apartments. On Madison pays tribute in pictures to the enduring art of a true creative genius.

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Chic Sheep

“They are not furniture, they are not sculpture–call them ‘Lalannes’.”

Mention the name Lalanne to a serious collector and the image of flocks of whimsical, life-size sheep grazing in the world’s most beautiful homes immediately comes to mind. Sheep are synonymous with this famous husband-wife artistic duo.

Claude and Francois-Xavier met in 1952 and began collaborating artistically in 1956. Sharing a passion for animals and nature, their first exhibition in 1964 was called “Zoophites”. Known by their moniker ‘Les Lalanne’, the world Les Lalanne is a realm where Surrealism Nouveau Realisme, and anthropomorphism merge, where every creaetion is a playful, whimsical and unique merging of the decorative and fine arts. Their work is also functional, meant to be touched or sat on, even slept on.

From the 1960’s and onwards, Le Lalanne caught the attention of an entire generation and soon had a devoted following among notable private collectors around the world who either purchased or commissioned their works. Fashion luminaries such as Coco Chanel, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge, Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino, and more recently Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, and Tom Ford are some of the Lalanne’s major collecting fans. The Lalanne’s even collaborated with Yves Saint Laurent for one of his collections, designing moulded bronze breastplates and bustiers that served as the bodices for some of his gowns.

Not unexpectedly, auction prices have continued to skyrockt in recent years for the coveted Lalanne sheep as well as the fantastical bronze furniture created in a variety of animal shapes and sizes. The gilt bronze crocodile banquette fetched an incredible $482,500 at Christie’s in December 2009.

Les Lelanne definitely practiced their own philosophy. Francois-Xavier famously said, “The supreme art is the art of living”. We couldn’t agree more.

On Madison believes in practicing the art of living every single day, in even the smallest details. Our collage of the Lalanne’s work is a testament that everything in your home should bring a smile.

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