Throughout history, romance and adoration have been two of the biggest influences on creative work, from art and architecture, to design and fashion. February being Valentine’s month, once again, Topfloor founder and designer Esti Barnes shares her attraction to Spanish designer Mariano Fortuny, a favourite source of inspiration.
Born into an artistic family in Granada, Spain in May 1871, Fortuny’s family moved to Paris soon after, where he quickly demonstrated a talent in painting, as well as developing a deep interest in textiles. Fortuny’s fascination led him to experiment with dyeing and from there to designing his own iconic textiles and dresses. The family moved later to Venice.
Image via www.fortuny.shop
While Fortuny is renowned for his work as a fashion and textile designer, his talents extended into different areas including, inventing, painting, photography, sculpting, architecture, etching and theatrical stage lighting. While living in Paris, where he undertook much of his work, Fortuny registered and patented more than 20 inventions.
Topfloor Script Collection ‘Roots’ Rug
Fortuny Dress via www.fortuny.shop
He also met Henriette Negrin in Paris, a skilled dressmaker, and the pair’s romance was matched by a mutual love of fashion. Fortuny was a rebel in the fashion world, rejecting the style lines that were popular during the period. He and Negrin collaborated to create the Delphos gown, a shift dress made of finely pleated silk, weighted down by glass beads that held its shape and flowed on the body. The hand-pleating was so intricate that nobody has since been able to recreate it. His work, as well as having a European look, has strong Asian, Indian and Moorish influences.
Fortuny Dress via www.fortuny.shop & Topfloor Dolores Rug
An even greater influence on Fortuny’s work was the Art Deco movement. His elegant, flowing dresses with tassels, beads and frills embody all the characteristics of this era. The Art Deco lines are also noticeable in his silk Fortuny lamps, printed with intricate gold detailing.
Image via www.fortuny.shop
Topfloor Ethereal Rug
Fortuny died at home in Venice and and his home, Palazzo Fortuny, remains an important landmark in Venice. It is even claimed that Fortuny’s work left its mark on the literary world, serving as a source of inspiration for the French writer Proust.
These days, his fashion designs are considered artistic masterpieces and are on permanent display in major museums and galleries around the world to the delight of his many followers, one of whom is Esti.. “I find his style elegant, feminine, unique and timeless” she explains. She adds “ I never miss his exhibitions, wherever they are, and I collect all of his books”.
Fortuny Lamps via www.fortuny.shop