Why Fornasetti Is Collaborating With Louis Vuitton

In an exclusive interview with Barnaba Fornasetti, we find out about the brand birthed from his father’s creative vision, and why it is collaborating with Louis Vuitton

- Renee Batchelor

If you’re familiar with the world of Fornasetti, you may know it for the mysterious, oft-used visage of the Italian opera singer Lina Cavalieri, which graces over 500 artworks created by its founder, artist Piero Fornasetti, and peeks out on anything from a plate to a scented candle. Or perhaps you know it as a house with a unique and eclectic design flair, known for its whimsical handmade furniture that skilfully blends art, design and function — literally creating cabinets of curiosity.

Indeed, it is all these things and more. Since it was founded in 1940, Fornasetti has continued to grow its singular vision, under the leadership of Barnaba Fornasetti, the son of the late founder. On the brand, Fornasetti says, “Imagination has always been a value, from the beginning right up to today: ideas and creative freedom have always been a guide, first and foremost. My father drew heavily on anything that could be an inspiration. He didn’t care about coherence in terms of creativity, dates, periods or artistic currents. The main lesson I learned from him, which I believe and still pursue firmly, concerns precisely this: He taught me to fight for the autonomy of thought and resist any form of conformism.”