MILAN — Fortuny, whose fabrics and iconic dresses like the Delphos were coveted by yesteryear icons such as Isadora Duncan and Oona Chaplin, is gearing up to release its first wallpaper collection.
For the debut, the family-run firm said it teamed with historic Italian rehabilitation community San Patrignano and its Casa D’Arte project, an arts and crafts initiative that empowers its members by training them in luxury-level skills. Located in Rimini, San Patrignano is the largest halfway house in Europe and has been offering people with drug addictions the tools to build a new life since 1978.
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The finishes for the wallpaper were developed together with San Patrignano’s artisans and include effects inspired by marble, lime wash, and embossed leather, entirely handcrafted through artisanal processes. Each style is made-to-order and can be customized for materials, colors and textures.
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The new collection is an interpretation of Fortuny’s decorative archival prints and will be unveiled at its historic Giudecca showroom during the Homo Faber in Città (Homo Faber in the City) calendar of events that will unfurl throughout the city during the main global cultural event, which kicks off in Venice on Tuesday.
Fortuny was founded in 1921 by artist and inventor Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo. His legacy continues to resonate worldwide for its innovative textiles and timeless designs that have been integrated into the collections of modern day designers like Rick Owens. Since taking over the firm from their father Maged Riad in 1998, brothers Mickey and Maury Riad have worked to propel the company into a new era, culminating in the launch of its e-commerce business in 2024.
Though Fortuny’s fabrics have traditionally also been used as wall coverings, wallpaper expands its design possibilities through new surfaces, textures and craftsmanship techniques, while remaining in continuity with the existing collection, explained Mickey Riad.
“Wallpaper is a natural extension for us, allowing us to explore additional techniques that enable us to express our universe more fully, in ways that complement our existing collection,” he said.
The new wallpaper collection, envisioned for residential and hospitality projects alike, will be showcased at the Fortuny showroom throughout the month of September and will be accompanied by a series of live demonstrations scheduled for Sept. 8, 22, and 29. During these events, the artisans of San Patrignano Casa D’Arte will demonstrate some of the techniques that shape its identity.
The San Patrignano community has teamed with other established firms, among them design platform Artemest, for which it envisaged the Solesempre Collection featuring unique objects handcrafted by the house’s young residents in Design Lab workshops. In the realm of interior decoration, San Patrignano Casa D’Arte actively works as a partner for textile makers and designers, producing exclusive collections of wallpapers and fabrics, supporting the development of designs and patterns.
According to its website, San Patrignano has helped more than 26,000 young people free of charge with an independently verified drug-free success rate of over 70 percent. Currently, San Patrignano is home to roughly 900 residents, male and female.