Get To Know – Mark / Giusti

The bag obsession… Mark Farhat launched “ La Dolce Vita” Collection For Spring Summer 2012 at the luxurious Wolf & Badger Boutique in Notting Hill. “LA DOLCE VITA” collection portrays the “Sweet Life” of Rome and the Amalfi Coast during the 1950’s and 1960’s when the Italian way of life and glamour influenced the world. This was a time when film and cinematography depicted Italy’s love for the “Sweet Life” which soon became the priority of the day. People not only wanted to live well but, wanted the best of everything from fashion, art, automobiles and food. It reflects a time when it was chic to take a bite out of life just like sinking your teeth into a fully ripe peach.  I would be happy to simply feel the tug of a navy blue shoulder strap or the pull of a handle from any of these good-looking pieces.

Yellow hasn’t been a color I tend to gravitate toward but I’m loving the “Jet Set”cabin bag above.  This collection – La Dolce Vita – is largely influenced by the hit film “La Dolce Vita” as was characterized by lead Actor Marcello Mastroianni. This “Jet-Setting” cinematic icon led the designer to create a beautifully crafted centerpiece for Mark/Giusti – the “Jet Set” Cabin Bag. Mastroianni created a new look with a laid back, care free attitude towards life that is still inspiring men’s style today. Beautifully crafted bags with subtle detailing and hand-drawn patterned linings took us back in history to the Byzantine Empire where are art and craftsmanship worked hand in hand and is the signature of every Mark/Giusti collection. Beyond Fellini’s cinematic references, further inspiration for this collection has been derived from Mosaic decorations found in the Basilica di San Marco in Venice and is translated into the lining of each piece.  These bags are truly works of art.

Colors for the “La Dolce Vita” collection are dominated by the tonal black, Navy and White; expressing the designer’s intention to create harmony and balance between the pieces and the colors of summer. “Seasonal colors balance like Yin and Yang. In the summer, the eye craves freshness and tonality to balance the bright days and sunshine. In the winter, the eye craves color to compensate for the gloomy grey climate” Says Mark Farhat The collection is composed of an extended line of luggage, 1940’s inspired messenger bags, I-pad Covers and other small leather accessories.

I could not show you this one bag from a previous colection… Mark / Giusti launched its “Palatina” collection for A/W 2011 – 2012. This is Mark Farhat’s slightly older second collection, inspiration for this new collection comes from The Cappella Palatina (palatine chapel), located alongside the Palazzo Dei Normanni (palace of the Normans) in Palermo Sicily. Built by roger ii (from 1130 – 1140), the chapel is adorned with extraordinary Norman-byzantine mosaics and houses the finest examples of Arab-Norman art in Sicily. The designer has recreated these intricate byzantine patterns and applied them to the interior lining of each piece. The dominant color used in the “palatina’ collection employs an extraordinarily deep and vivid orange contrasted by green top-stitching perfectly matching the colors of the mosaics in the Cappella Palatina. The use of grained calf leather, beautifully compliments the previous “Bring Back Time” collection emphasizing the designer’s attention to detail and timeless quality which characterizes the essence of the Mark / Giusti Brand. Effortlessly practical, the collection is comprised of a suit carrier, laptop bag, i-pad cover and additional leather accessories… and to think all I want is this one little bag.

Available here: notjustalabel.com