Fashion & Furniture

Or should I say Furniture & Fashion?

Many big Fashion Designers, after creating for years several new perfumes and accessories, have turned to furniture.
Armani, known for his timeless, elegant, refined clothes has created a few years ago Armani Casa, Versace (la Donatella) who declares being not a minimalist (who knew?) has also a major interest in Interior design; same for Kenzo, the Fendi sisters, Missoni, Ralph Lauren, Byblos and many others.
Donatella Versace's house in Milan and Villa Fontanelle in Moltrasio, on Como Lake, are the epitome of luxury and extravagance, to the point of no return!
(Apparently Villa Fontanelle is close to being bought by a Russian Real Estate mogul for only 33 million Euro...)
Of course for her production, as below, she needs to be much more restrained, but she still cannot resist to put her logo on many objects.

Versace

Versace

Kenzo

"Turandot" by Armani

Missoni

"Murillo" Sofa by Mendini, Art Director at Byblos

As you can see they all continue to apply the same aesthetics of fashion to their furniture.
A true fashionista should then wear Rene' Caovilla stilettos, a Versace leopard skirt, a flowered Kenzo blouse and should sit on the "Murillo" sofa while of course sipping a signature drink?
Since David Rockwell, a master of luxury, recently said that a weak dollar will make good taste reappear, even in Dubai, then an Armani sofa would be more appropriate, of course matched by flats and a fabulous suit by the same Maison. In that case a simple glass of Spumante will do.
Incidentally, Rockwell is working on the Andaz Hotel, 75 Wall Street, Manhattan, due to open in April 2009 at 8,000 dollars a night. His philosophy? no extremely expensive materials, no precious stones, no excesses.

Yes, Luxury now adopts a somber tone!