"Discover the Oasis of Modernity: Inside Barbara Borghini's Florence Home and Gia Borghini's Rising Fashion brand"

2023-04-18 07:00:00

Like its label, Yeah Borghinithe interior of Barbara Borghini is an oasis of modernity in the heart of the rich and opulent historic center of Florence. His house, designed by the architect Roberto Monsani, is located in Costa Scarpuccia, in the oldest district of the city, called San Niccolo. “Florence is a compromise between Livorno, where my husband is from and Rome where I was born” she says. From Florence, Barbara appreciates the omnipresence of art and beauty. She regularly roams the streets, exploring galleries and surveying flea markets, in search of new trinkets. At the head of the rising brand, Gia Borghini, seen at the feet of personalities such as Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid or Sienna Miller, the Florentine entrepreneur studied communication before graduating with a master’s degree in Fashion Design from the Central Saint Martins School in London and then from the Polimoda School in Florence.

“If I launched into the creation of my own shoe label, it was to propose new standards”. Surrounded by the best Italian craftsmen, know-how is the pillar of the brand. Barbara Borghini also had the idea of calling on fashion personalities to create collaborations. Among them? Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Pernille Teisbaek or even Claire Thomson-Jonville. The idea being to bring Gia Borghini to life with fresh ideas and creative exchanges.

At home, pure lines, geometric elements and natural colors reflect Barbara’s taste for purity. Minimalist in spirit, the house nevertheless lets the designer’s generosity and sensuality shine through. With large curly wool sofas, many cushions and large rugs that warm the rooms, comfort and softness are the key words of his universe. Passionate about design, this collector at heart is attracted above all by shapes. His favorite object? Vico Magistretti’s lamp, theAtollwhich she has in her room.

Composed of two distinct geometric elements, joined by a subtle element, this becomes almost invisible when lit. “The extreme simplicity of this piece makes it so powerful”she explains. “I am touched by the fact that such a common object can be transformed into such a sculpture”. His favorite of the moment? The designer Pietro Franceschini, from whom she has just acquired an armchair named Bling Bling. Among his other favorite objects, the dining room table Tulip signed Ero Saarinen, her marble coffee table from Marbera, a recent acquisition, her colored glass balls offered by her friend Eva Cavalli Duringer, her vase by Anissa Kermiche and her interior books that she cherishes. The ceramics and certain antique objects confer charm and character. The few partitions and the angles blurred thanks to plants create harmony between the rooms.

A true common thread, white and neutral tones have been favored. The earth tones, beige, cream and ivory, available in different textures and combined with wood, give serenity to the place. “My interior is the reflection of my soul”, explains Barbara Borghini. To decorate her apartment, the latter says she followed her instinct and surrounded herself with the valuable advice of her friend and interior designer Erin Quiros. In addition to the natural tones, the kitchen and the bathroom stand out and stand out from the rest.

Designed by architect Roberto Monsani, the entirely blue bathroom has remained in its original condition. Just as avant-garde, the kitchen plays the geometric card, equitably mixing black and white. The highlight of the visit: the interior patio. It is reminiscent of the courtyards of the riads in Marrakech. “I call it my Florrekech”, laughs Barbara, in a nod to this destination she loves. Affable, she likes to entertain there, especially in the spring for dinners. “I no longer have time to cook, so I call on a wonderful chef, Emmevugi Cuisine, who always has great evenings in store for me”.