For more than half a century, the Fornasetti brand has embodied artistic brilliance, seamlessly fusing its distinct visuals with boundless creativity. Gracing furniture, plates, candles and carpets, the instantly recognisable Fornasetti style eschews frivolity while maintaining both a distinctive decorative aesthetic and a sense of humour. ‘Imagination, fantasy and creativity are perpetual sources of nourishment for the soul and the spirit. It is a responsibility for those endowed with these gifts to share them generously,’ once said Piero Fornasetti, who founded the brand in 1940. His legacy is now carried on by his son Barnaba, the company’s artistic director since 1988.
The brand’s philosophy,Milan’s Città Studi quarter. It’s a location the global design community knows well, thanks to the legendary parties held here annually to mark the end of Salone del Mobile. Originally a family abode, it was turned into an artistic sanctuary under Piero’s influence, and today, under the direction of Barnaba, it serves as both private residence and the hub of the brand’s creative endeavours. Barnaba’s touch has turned it into a true manifesto of Fornasetti aesthetics – and his own. Preserving memory is paramount for Barnaba, something that is evident in the meticulously curated archive, housing 13,000 drawings and objects.
