805 Maserati Edition Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins x Maserati

So you’re driving around in your Maserati Quattroporte listening to your favorite music turned up high and as you round a curve you suddenly think “Wouldn’t it be great to listen to music like this at home?”  Okay, we recognize that the first part of this sentence is pretty unlikely – most of us can’t afford the car, but at least the second part is now a possibility thanks to the Bowers & Wilkins 805 Maserati Speaker.

Taking inspiration from the restrained luxury of Maserati interiors, audio company Bowers & Wilkins has dressed a speaker from their 800 Diamond Series in black Maserati leather and real birdseye maple wood veneer.  The high-performance loudspeaker is mounted on an integrated stand that features the signature Maserati trident logo. The sound quality lives up to the Maserati reputation for performance thanks to Bowers & Wilkins’ innovative technology, impeccable construction and choice of top materials.

$ TBD | Want it? Grab it!

805 Maserati Edition Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins x Maserati

805 Maserati Edition Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins x Maserati

805 Maserati Edition Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins x Maserati

Mega Chief Chronograph Watch | Diesel

Never one to back down from bold style, Italian brand Diesel turns the simple act of checking the time on your watch into an agressive fashion statement. With its extra-large size and chronograph dials, the Diesel Mega Chief Chronograph watch announces that you’re serious about  your timepiece.

At 51mm, the stainless steel case of the Diesel Mega Chief Chronograph tips the scales when compared to other watches.Whether in black, black with orange highlights or gunmetal, the Mega Chief has a striking dial shielded by a raised crown protector. Water resistant to 100 m this is, as it says in a plaque detail on the watch, an accessory for “only the brave.”

$ 195.00-240.00 | Want it? Grab it!

Mega Chief Chronograph Watch | Diesel

Mega Chief Chronograph Watch | Diesel

From gramophone to record player

As a teenager,  discovering my father’s record collection opened up a whole new world to me.  I was amazed by the richness of the sound and the depth of the atmosphere.  It didn’t take very long before I fell in love with the moment when the needle would drop and the vinyl would start to sing.  However, my newfound fascination made me start to wonder about another form of music technology that I had seen, but never heard: the gramophone.

An Italian vintage ad for Columbia gramophones

The history of successful gramophone records starts in Great Britain in 1899.  With its image of a dog listening attentively to a gramophone, His Master’s Voice was the first publishing house to popularize gramophone records on an international scale.  The publisher soon spread throughout Europe, including Italy, where it took the name La Voce del padrone. Despite the company’s origins in England, its success was in many ways dependent on the work of Italians. This was because much of the music recorded and distributed at this time was classical and opera music – areas in which Italian musicians excelled.

A “La voce del padrone” record from 1953

“His Master’s Voice” by Francis Barraud became the name and image of the record label later known as HMV

His Master’s Voice featured many internationally-renowned Italian singers, including tenors Enrico Caruso and Beniamino Gigli, baritone Ruffo Cafiero Titta and soprano  Amelita Galli-Curci. It also featured the work of the great Italian orchestra director Arturo Toscanini.

The legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso with a phonograph

It was relatively early in the history of recorded music, 1901, that Italy’s first record label was born. The Neapolitan Phonographic Society [La società fonografica napoletana] was created in Naples to promote Neapolitan singers and folk music.  The next two important labels were the Anonymous Italian Phonotype Society [Società anonima italiana di fonotipia di Milano], which was founded in 1904 and dedicated to recording classical and opera music, and the National Gramophone Society [Società nazionale del grammofono], founded in 1912. SAIF became responsible for distributing La voce del padrone records and SNG distributed Columbia’s records in Italy until the 1930s when the companies were merged were several others.

A French ad for Fonotipia

An ad for the National Gramophone Society

What is amazing is that despite their relatively short existence, these record labels had an important role in the development of the music industry and the remaining hard copies produced by each continue to be highly sought after and valued.

A signed Fonotipia recording of Giuseppe Anselmi singing “Vesti la giubba” from Leoncavallo’s opera I pagliacci

While today Italian musicians such as Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Jovanotti are known internationally, we seem to have forgotten the story of how Italian music was first heard around the world. Without these early record labels taking advantage of the gramophone’s recording technology, the talents of many great Italian musicians would have been available only to a live audience.  In fact, it is still possible to listen to early gramophone recordings of the great tenor Enrico Caruso online for free.

A French ad for Fonotipia-Odeon | Image courtesy Bibliotheque nationale de France

Today, when I drop set the needle of my record player onto a vintage vinyl recording of Fabrizio De André, I listen hard and imagine that in the skips and the static of the record I hear not only his voice, but those of all the Italian singers who came before him as well.

A Fonotipia ad by artist Marcello Dudovich, 1906

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

When you see the carbon-titanium monocoque of the Pagani Zonda Revolucion 2013 you might swear that you’re looking at a vehicle that has just come off of a Formula 1 racetrack, but this car was designed to be move effortlessly from circuit to driveway. Tailor-made in Horacio Pagani’s Italian atelier, the Zonda Revolucion’s bold styling and thrilling technology bears the designer’s signature from engine to tailpipe.

With an AMG Mercedes engine, the Revolucion continues the innovative advancements that define Pagani’s Zonda R program. The 6.0-liter V12 engine has an output of 800 horsepower, while the 6 speed magnesium transversal and sequential gearbox changes gears in 20ms. However, what really makes this car track-worthy is the racing-inspired Drag Reduction System (DRS). Just press a button on the steering wheel and the rear wing changes between maximum and minimum downforce settings.

€ 2.2 million | Want it? Grab it!

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Zonda Revolucion 2013 | Pagani Automobili

Keirei Lamp | Schiavetto and Furlanetto x Torremato

In a respectful salute to nature, Fabio Schiavetto and Riccardo Furlanetto have designed the Keirei outdoor lamp for Italian design brand Torremato.  Inspired by keirei, the Japanese word for to bow, the weather-resistant light creates a glowing path to your front door.

Constructed from glass and cast iron, the Keirei lamp seems to bow toward the ground as though honoring the earth. Minimal, but at the same time deeply evocative, the clean lines bring a distinct design touch to garden paths and front lawns, while honoring the spirit and elegance of a Japanese ritual. The sculptural form is enhanced by two color options, grey and copper.

$ TBD | Want it? Grab it!

Keirei Lamp | Schiavetto and Furlanetto x Torremato

Keirei Lamp | Schiavetto and Furlanetto x Torremato

Keirei Lamp | Schiavetto and Furlanetto x Torremato

Keirei Lamp | Schiavetto and Furlanetto x Torremato

Winter Edition 2013 | Romina Quiros x Marni

There’s a long history of cultural exchange between Argentina and Italy, so it seems only natural that Italian fashion house Marni, under the creative direction of Consuelo Castiglioni, has chosen to join with Argentinian artist Romina Quiros for a fun collaboration. Quiros and Marni are both known for elegant and visionary minimalism and that style gains a playful edge  in the Marni Winter Edition 2013 accessories series.

The characters borne from Quiros’ hand are quirky and adorable.  Built from dark inky blobs and sheer watercolor forms, her women always have a pink or yellow ball. For the Marni Winter Edition Denim collection, three unique illustrations are printed on PVC totes with leather handles, iPad cases trimmed in leather, cotton jersey t-shirts and cotton shirts. The unique graphic whimsy in each piece results in works of fashion art that you can add to your wardrobe now.

$ 250.00 – 350.00 | Want it? Grab it!

Winter Edition 2013 | Romina Quiros x Marni

Winter Edition 2013 | Romina Quiros x Marni

Winter Edition 2013 | Romina Quiros x Marni

When you were younger you used it to carry your school books and gym clothes, as you got older it became a symbol of freedom since you could just pack up and go. Well, the classic backpack has returned with a new look and it’s better than ever. From chic luxury to serious tech protection, here are our top 6 choices by Italian brands.

Denim Backpack | Diesel

Denim Backpack - DIESEL | $ 142.00

Famous for its jeans, Diesel brings its creative-casual perspective to a denim backpack that’s perfect for sporty but refined style.

Cotton and Leather Backpack | Bark

Cotton and Leather Backpack - BARK | $ 249.93

Laid-back, just like the sweaters Bark is famous for, this cotton and leather backpack is 100% Made in Italy.

Ochre Backpack | Mauro Grifoni Denim

Backpack | Marsell

Backpack - MARSELL | $ 2,225.00

The black leather Marsell is known for gets a lighter, more feminine, touch with laser cut detailing in a summer backpack ideal for a luxury getaway.

Nylon Backpack | Versus

Nylon Backpack - VERSUS | $525.00

If you want to be sure not to get lost in a crowd of tourists this summer, the bold black and white op-art backpack from Versus will definitely do the trick.

Tank Backpack | Mandarina Duck

Tank Backpack - MANDARINA DUCK | $ 280.00

What better name for a backpack built to carry a tablet and a notebook computer? From the padded adjustable carrying straps to the ribbing on the front and removable tablet and 13″ laptop cases, this backpack promises protection for your technology and comfort for you.

A scaled back kitchen tool

With no electric components, Balancerie is an innovative, but at the same time old-fashioned, kitchen scale. Just as in your grandmother’s kitchen, this scale uses a simple balancing system as the basis for measurements.  By taking away the electronic gadgetry, Italian designer Marianna Milione and Xiaowei Yu want to bring you back to the values of traditional Italian cuisine: the simplicity and authenticity of home-made food.

Balancerie | Marianna Milione and Xiaowei Yu

Balancerie is composed of a gradated wood rod, a central support base, a small bowl and a counter-weight.  All of the pieces have soft and rotund shapes that, with the off-white color, are more reminiscent of a cute egg than a kitchen scale.

Balancerie | Marianna Milione and Xiaowei Yu

The mechanics behind the idea are fairly straightforward. When the marker is placed at zero, the bowl is empty and the rod is balanced parallel to the counter. Move the marker to the weight you want to measure out and the rod will slope to one side.  Gradually add the food to the empty bowl until the rod is balanced again and you have reached your desired quantity. Yes, we know this kitchen scale can’t be as accurate as an electronic one, but that’s part of the value of the project: the deliciousness of your grandma’s food came from a pinch of this and a pinch of that, in other words, a bit of imprecision.

Balancerie | Marianna Milione and Xiaowei Yu

Balancerie | Marianna Milione and Xiaowei Yu

Poppins Bench | Alessandra Baldereschi

Is it a sofa or is it a bench? Full of color and fanciful personality, Alessandra Baldereschi’s Poppins plays on the traditional throw pillow to offer a hybrid design that will make you look twice before you take a seat.

Working with the illusory potential of color contrasts and geometric shapes, the Italian designer has created the impression of throw pillows laying on a bench or sofa. Inspired by the 3D illusions of sixties Op Art, Poppins is crafted from lacquered wood and features upholstered padding in groups of distinct colors and shapes. While it might look as though the padding is added on top of the bench’s surface, it is in fact sewn into the wood and protrudes from the flat surface. These cushioned additions add comfort and a pop of patterned color that brings some lighthearted graphic fun to any living room.

$ TBD | Want it? Grab it!

Poppins Bench | Alessandra Baldereschi

Poppins Bench | Alessandra Baldereschi

Poppins Bench | Alessandra Baldereschi

Poppins Bench | Alessandra Baldereschi

Poppins Bench | Alessandra Baldereschi

Poppins Bench | Alessandra Baldereschi

Angelo Nardelli 1951 | Fall Winter 2013/14

There are few menswear brands that can walk the fine line between hipster irony and respect for classic elegance, but Angelo Nardelli 1951 definitely seems to be one of them.  While the company is a respected name in Made in Italy menswear, we’d never heard of them until we discovered their latest video lookbook by Fabrizio Narcisi while browsing Vimeo. Once we took a look, we realized we’d stumbled across a real gem.

Angelo Nardelli 1951 | Spring Summer 2013

The history of Angelo Nardelli 1951 is pretty much captured by the brand’s name. Founded by Angelo Nardelli in 1951, the company is still located in the hill town of Martina Franca in the southern Italian region of Puglia and run by a 3rd generation family member.

Angelo Nardelli 1951 | Fall Winter 2013/14

While Angelo Nardelli 1951 has always been known for its elegant tailoring, what makes it exceptional is its ability to combine that strength with modern styling and details.  Under the leadership of Domenico Nardelli, the softly tailored silhouettes of the company’s jackets, suits and shirts have been updated with details designed for today’s man. Some pieces even include eyelets which allow iPod headphones to pass comfortably through the jacket.

Angelo Nardelli 1951

While some of the brand’s past collections have been a bit too classic for our taste, the overdyed colors and vintage feel of their  Fall-Winter 2013/14 looks, inspired by the crisp climes of Northern Europe, offer a young reinvention of traditional Italian menswear that we love.  The concept is encapsulated in their cool, but dreamy, new video lookbook set at the edge of a nordic lake.