The Issue 20 Price R30 Collector ANTIQUES EXPERT ADVICE DESTINATIONS INSPIRED LIFESTYLE
MEDICI A Jewel in the Heart of Sandton Who would have thought that in the heart of Africa s main business district lies a Renaissance style fabric, décor and clothing boutique? Medici prides itself on having an exclusive range of imported fabrics under its own brand name and from respected editors from around the world. Luigi Bevilaqua from Venice is one of the oldest fabric houses in Europe dating back 300 years. They are the official suppliers of fabrics to the Vatican and have supplied fabrics to the Swedish Royal Palace, Buckingham Palace and the Oval Office. They produce handmade velvets, lampasas, brocades and damasks using the same tools, the same techniques and the same high quality since the 1700 s. The similarity with the past is so close that it is difficult to distinguish a modern day product from one made centuries ago. www.luigi-bevilaqua.com Watts of Westminster from the UK has for the past 130 years supplied fabrics, wallpapers and passementerie reminiscent of centuries old castles, monasteries and cloisters. A unique English company and guardians of a genuine archive of period design. Watts was commissioned in 1952 to create a special blue silk for Queen Elizabeth s Coronation. To mark her Diamond Jubilee this year the last remaining meterage found in the Watts archive was used to create a commemorative cushion as a gift to Her Majesty for use in the Royal Barge. www.watts1874.co.uk from Venetia Studium in Venice are made from silk or hand-painted Murano Glass and cover a wide range of designs for private homes, palaces, hotels and exclusive restaurants. Sophistication, refined techniques, a high quality finish and attention to detail are the distinctive features of each original hand-made lamp bearing the FORTUNY trademark. are the result of research into lighting design and ways of filtering light evoking fairy tale places and times. They fit into any style of décor and completely satisfy the needs of good illumination and giving the space a soft, evocative and timeless atmosphere. Watts was commissioned back in 1952 to create a special blue silk for Queen Elizabeth s Coronation. To mark her Diamond Jubilee this year, Watts were able to find the last remaining meterage in their archive to create a commemorative cushion as a gift to her majesty.
Studio Art in Venice Also from Venetia Studium are their exquisite hand - made velvet cushions which can be found in palaces and homes of the rich and famous. The style of the Venetia Studium cushions are sumptuous and refined. The unique colour combinations emphasize the harmony between the exquisite fabrics and the designs inspired by Renaissance Venice. By introducing Venetia Studium cushions into ones living area they will immediately enhance one s entire room. www.venetiastudium.com Studio Art in Venice Also available are hand-made leather wall tiles from Studio Art in Venice in a fascinating selection of designs, shapes, textures and colours. One can enhance ones study, bar area, bathroom, living areas or even decorate ones furniture with these exquisite leather tiles. Also available from Studio Art are beautiful hand woven leather rugs in various sizes, colours and finishes. www.studioart.it Cecilia Bordoni If one is looking for leather, Medici has the largest collection of imported leather with over 150 colours including the famous hand embossed leather from Cecilia Bordoni in Bologna, Italy with special finishes for your heirloom antique chair. The tradition of artistic leather working goes back centuries, handed down through the hands and knowledge of skilful craftsmen. Cecilia Bordoni keeps this tradition alive. One can choose a variety of designs, colours and finishes and any of these are available in magnificent hand embossed leather cushions. www.ceciliabordoni.com Cecilia Bordoni
Sabrina Fay Braxton, known for her exuberant extrapolations of ancient and printed textiles, has been creating fabrics for couturiers, interior designers and private clients for over a decade. She creates multi-dimensional fabrics with dustings of metallic powders and washes of delicate inks which combine to produce extra-ordinary fabrics for upholstery and curtains evoking a touch of Byzantia or a Zen Garden. Her clients include famous designers such as Christian Lacroix, Valentino and Armani. www.sabrinafaybraxton.com Watts of Westminster Sabrina Fay Braxton The Yasuke range from Sangetsu in Japan offers a delightful sophisticated touch to any home with an exquisite range of unique fabrics and wall paper. First introduced by Yasuke Hibi 160 years ago to service the needs of Nagoya castle, Sangetsu has become the leading editor of Interior Decorating products in Japan. The company produces original designs in wall coverings, textiles, floor coverings and caters to residential and contract interior designers, architects, interior decorating stores and building material companies. Verner Panton Yasuke Verner Panton was one of the true rebels and pioneers on the world of lighting and furniture design. He has become an icon and a touch of Panton between any 4 walls instantly transforms the room. His iconic lamps light up a room even when it is turned off, upgrading spaces, people and experiences. His famous Panton chair was the first injection moulded chair ever developed. The Clover leaf sofa is going into every Prada store and the Fun Lamp into every Bang & Olufson store worldwide. www.verpan.com
Edra Edra from Italy is famous for its exceptional furniture designs with the result that its furniture is displayed in six of the major modern art museums of the world. Every Edra piece is finished by hand ensuring the highest possible quality. Edra establishes new relations between body and objects by creating shapes and materials for new and exceptional levels of comfort. And of course, each Edra piece is unique and very exclusive. www.edra.com Medici s own fabric and décor ranges cover an envious array of natural and embroidered silks, textured and embroidered linens, woven cottons, hemp and outdoor fabrics which do not fade in the sun. They also offer ready-made cushions and silk throws. Recent projects of Medici s have included fabrics and leather supplied for the first class lounge at Dubai International Airport and the Planet restaurant at the Mount Nelson in Cape Town. www.medici.co.za A recent addition is the cashmere range from Loropiano in Italy which is the world s most exclusive Cashmere producer. One can order a really magnificent men s or ladies cashmere jacket made in Italy. And if you like the feel of soft luxurious silk, Medici has a range of exquisite silks from Como, Italy, which is used by the world s top couturiers. Edra Medici fabrics and homeware can also be purchased from exclusive decor stores and top Interior Decorators nationwide. Visit www.medici.co.za and www.mediciclothing.co.za. Exclusive Area Distribution opportunities are also available for Medici fabrics and décor products and ladies clothing in South Africa, Africa and worldwide. Medici fabrics Medici CUSHIONS Medici CLOTHING Medici also offers a unique range of classical ladies silk and linen clothing suitable for any occasion. The Medici range caters for all ages, casual and formal, corporate and diplomatic, and is suitable for the most elegant social occasions and is especially suitable for travelling due to the non- crease nature of the silk fabrics. Moreover it is not necessary to follow changing design and colour trends as one can choose classical designs in a wide variety of colours. Medici offers any design in any fabric in any size. A unique speciality is catering for the mother of the bride and groom. www.mediciclothing.co.za MEDICI Lifestyle Centre 2nd Floor Laico Isle, 126 Rivonia Road, (Above Aston Martin), Sandton 2146, Johannesburg, South Africa, Tel: +27 11 883-3811/3374 Fax: +27 11 784-2350 Mobile +27 83 263 2774 www.medici.co.za & www.mediciclothing.co.za email: joseph@medici.co.za Medici CLOTHING