THE ART OF DISPLAY. Words KARINE MONIÉ Styling CHIARA DAL CANTO Photography FABRIZIO CICCONI/LIVING INSIDE

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Caroline Harrington
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sculptures and original sketches by Italian illustrator Marcello Dudovich enliven the corner of the room, also occupied by a comfortable armchair by Ole Wanscher

2 THE ART OF DISPLAY Fashion designer Massimo Alba has filled his home with Modernist furniture and a vast collection of art and photography. We explore the spaces that spark his imagination Words KARINE MONIÉ Styling CHIARA DAL CANTO Photography FABRIZIO CICCONI/LIVING INSIDE Dining room Ancient wooden sculptures and original sketches by Italian illustrator Marcello Dudovich enliven the corner of the room, also occupied by a comfortable armchair by Ole Wanscher (try 1st Dibs) and a vintage console. A Tulip table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll is surrounded by Superleggera chairs by Gió Ponti for Cassina Stockist details on p247 MAY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 205

Massimo Alba, Italian fashion designer and the man who steered the creative direction of premium cashmere brands Malo and Agnona before establishing his eponymous label in 2006, is understandably at

Leonardo Da Vinci lived here for many years, says Massimo. He moved into the property with his wife Marilena, their son Nicolò (11) and dog Jasper six years ago.

3 Massimo Alba, Italian fashion designer and the man who steered the creative direction of premium cashmere brands Malo and Agnona before establishing his eponymous label in 2006, is understandably at home in the style capital of Milan. His luxurious 160-square-metre apartment stretches across one floor of the Palazzo Atellani, an enchanting 15th-century building with a fascinating history. Leonardo Da Vinci lived here for many years, says Massimo. He moved into the property with his wife Marilena, their son Nicolò (11) and dog Jasper six years ago. They were seduced by the antiquity of the property and its magnificent views. The windows of the living area overlook the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie [a UNESCO World Heritage site], which is one of my favourite places in the city, while the bedrooms face the palazzo s courtyard, Massimo says. A glimpse inside the couple s home reveals their love of art, design and history. All of the things that surround me have a story and all these stories influence my perceptions and my ideas, says Massimo. Consequently, the apartment is a glorious medley of inspiration, where Scandinavian furnishings by Arne Jacobsen and Eero Saarinen share space with modern classics by Giò Ponti and Isamu Noguchi, accessories from Tibet and Massimo s collection of vintage lighting. Propped casually on open shelves spanning the full length of the living room, framed images by iconic fashion photographers, including Gianni Pezzani and Lillian Bassman, bring the monochrome walls to life. I played with different tones of grey with the artworks to create a sense of depth in the space, says Massimo. Richly grained wooden flooring lends warmth to the scheme. The apartment is Massimo s haven: he loves to start the day listening to music in the kitchen and drinking a cup of coffee while sitting in his black leather Ox lounge chair by Hans J Wegner. I spend lots of time in our bedroom, which has the most beautiful little balcony, he says. I never close the shutters, so I can always look out at the courtyard; the sight of the trailing ivy between the arches under the stars at night is magical. Like the collections he designs, Massimo s home is simple, classic and effortlessly elegant. massimoalba.com The shelf that stretches across one wall of the living room helps to order our artwork and create symmetry Portrait Homeowner Massimo Alba with his wife Marilena and son, Nicolò Living room The purple velvet sofa by Cappellini lends this space a luxurious touch, while the 606 shelving system by Dieter Rams for Vitsœ separates it from the dining area. The leather Ox chair is by Hans J Wegner (available from Aram Store) Stockist details on p ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK MAY 2016 MAY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 207

An Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen and P40 recliner by Osvaldo Borsani are placed alongside a

4 All of the things that surround me have a story and all of these stories influence my ideas Living room Colourful rugs and an ancient cupboard, both from Tibet, brighten this space. An Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen and P40 recliner by Osvaldo Borsani are placed alongside a BB3/33S Akari floor light by Isamu Noguchi. The homeowner also collects vintage table lights Stockist details on p ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK MAY 2016

CAPTURING A MOMENT Massimo Alba talks about his photography collection and the stories behind three of his favourite pieces The photography I own is linked to the people I ve met.

As a creative director, I had the privilege of working with David Bailey, Lillian Bassman, Esko Männikkö, Patrick Demarchelier (artwork, left), Hannah Starkey and Tina Barney, and it is their work

The Ladies Splash In The Water (top right, in gold frame) I met Lillian Bassman in New York, while I was working as a designer for Malo.

She presented me with a large print and I gladly gave her my sweater. 2. Cicciolina Goes to Heaven (right) I bought this from David Bailey at his London studio when I worked with him 11 years ago.

Unfortunately, my mother and my wife didn t agree with hanging a picture of a porn star in his room. Now Cicciolina resides in my studio. I bought this work by David Bailey to hang in my son s room.

5 CAPTURING A MOMENT Massimo Alba talks about his photography collection and the stories behind three of his favourite pieces The photography I own is linked to the people I ve met. I am drawn by a specific attitude, whether it s in people or places. As a creative director, I had the privilege of working with David Bailey, Lillian Bassman, Esko Männikkö, Patrick Demarchelier (artwork, left), Hannah Starkey and Tina Barney, and it is their work that makes up most of my collection. I could tell you a story about every piece. 1. The Ladies Splash In The Water (top right, in gold frame) I met Lillian Bassman in New York, while I was working as a designer for Malo. She asked me to make an exchange: she wanted an oversized black sweater exactly like the one I was wearing and offered me this artwork, which she knew was one of my favourite pieces. She presented me with a large print and I gladly gave her my sweater. 2. Cicciolina Goes to Heaven (right) I bought this from David Bailey at his London studio when I worked with him 11 years ago. My son Nicolò had just been born, so I bought it as a present for him. I thought it might hang in his bedroom, and imagined it providing protection over him. Unfortunately, my mother and my wife didn t agree with hanging a picture of a porn star in his room. Now Cicciolina resides in my studio. I bought this work by David Bailey to hang in my son s room. I imagined it providing protection over him Kitchen A simple stainless steel unit is used for food preparation (try Boffi for similar in the UK), while a pale-grey upholstered Ox lounge chair and ottoman by Hans J Wegner provide a spot to relax. Louvre pendant lights by Poul Henningsen hang above. A vintage cabinet and original midcentury sideboard complete the space Stockist details on p Two Chairs (right) I was fortunate enough to meet Evelyn Hofer in New York during the late 1990s. I went to her house and we spent an afternoon together drinking tea and looking through her fantastic photography archive. That is when she said that I could choose two works from her own collection, which was a great privilege. This is one of those pieces. 210 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK MAY 2016 MAY 2016 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 211

6 212 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK MAY 2016 Bathroom A carved wooden cabinet and an old trunk from Tibet are mixed with contemporary sanitaryware (try Duravit for a similar basin) Bedroom A large photograph on canvas by Gianni Pezzani frames the bed and complements the treetop views from the balcony. The bed is mounted on a chunky wooden platform and the bedside tables are tree trunks (try Trunk Home). For a similar table light, try the Chantal by Stephen Burks for Ligne Roset Stockist details on p247 ED

california dream 132 VOGUELIVING.COM.AU 133

california dream 132 VOGUELIVING.COM.AU 133 california dream Resurrection isn t just the name of the vintage clothing venue designer Mark Haddawy co-founded. It s also the wonders he s worked with Harpel House, the John Lautner-designed home he