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The
Issue 20
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ANTIQUES
Collector
• EXPERT ADVICE • DESTINATIONS • INSPIRED LIFESTYLE
The Collector Magazine
MEDICI
A Jewel in the Heart of Sandton
W
ho 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
Fortuny Lamps 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. Fortuny Lamps 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.
The Collector Magazine
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
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
Studio Art in Venice
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
The Collector Magazine
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
Fortuny Lamps
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
Fortuny Lamps
Yasuke
Fortuny Lamps
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
The Collector Magazine
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
Edra
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
products and ladies clothing in South Africa, Africa and worldwide.
fabrics
and décor
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