Description from Studio Pepe
We like the Italian aesthetic of the late 50’s and on, the ‘educated and sophisticated rising middle class’ style who were very well represented by masters such as Caccia Dominioni, Gio Ponti and De Carli and in Michelangelo Antonioni’s movies like ‘La Notte’ set in Milano. A style which was a kind of revisitation of the ‘neoclassical' aesthetic, with a large use of precious materials, such as marble and brass, precious woods and patterns. Unfortunately Milano is a city that has forgot its past and now it has lost the extreme elegance and internationality it had during the 50's-60's. You have to watch the Italian movies during this period: stunning! Now we and other designers are trying to rescue this beauty. On the other hand there is a lot of vulgarity, and show off design and speculation and that’s a problem of all the international cities…It’s a pity when you see historical places changing or being destroyed. But at the same time many things have been rescued. Think Villa Necchi or Triennale….
Our style is eclectic, we try not be too trend oriented, on the contrary we like to use 'new classics' reinterpreting them using unexpected combinations..In our studio we have a sort of wunderkammer where we collect any sort of find that inspire us for their shape or texture or colour, flea market treasures…Arianna is a great collectors of photo trouvè and she is working on a book project to showcase them. Chiara loves anatomic props and all the things that belongs to that aesthetic.
Our studio was the warehouse of a photographer. We kept the original architecture and original decoration of the studio: plaster ceiling, antique wooden floors, large windows and old radiator. Iconographic elements that we aimed to maintain and mix with design classics from the seventies, flea markets finds, pieces designed by us, and props and things as inspiration pieces, whether it is a color or a shape or a graphic….
For us inspiration does not come from a specific thing but is more something that we grab in the air! Inspiration can come from everyday life, but then you see what echoes with your background, with what is already part of you. The goal is to be receptive and prepared for what can grasp you suddenly.
Photography| Paul Barbera
