“BARBARELLA” IN THE WORLD OF DESIGN

“Barbarella”

Designer Gabriella Crespi – her expressive face inspires photographer Oliviero Toscani. She is a fashion icon in the world of the home design.

In one of Toscani’s photographs, she looks a lot like hot Jane Fonda from the cult movie “Barbarella” by Roger Vadim. And she, like Barbarella, resembles an astronaut, but in space of design. Her flights are airy, unexpected, breathtaking.

Gabriella Crespi – Milanese by birth, but citizen of a world

“My mother has always had the incredible need to express herself artistically. My grandmother Emma Pellini was creating haute couture jewellery and my grandfather worked as an engineer. So my mother is actually the perfect combination of artistry and technical precision. She had an eye for beauty and a sense of functionality” – her daughter Elizabetta says.

Still-life of Brunschwig et Fils’ velvet leopard-print cushions, with Gabriella Crespi’s steel cube table with pull-out slides for dining. Published in Vogue, 1972(Guliver Photos/ Getty Images)

Love Happens @ Dimore Gallery where Gabriella Crespi’s gorgeous creations were on display for Milan Design Week 2019

“The universe is my inspiration”

Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright have a profound influence on designer Crespi. They both “incorporate” nature into their projects, which is part of Gabriella Crespi’s creative philosophy.

“At home, my mother wouldn’t let the curtains hide the flow of natural light. It was deeply connected to the cosmic energy of nature. When asked her about inspiration, she always answered, “The universe is my inspiration,” Elizabetta says.

Her objects are made for nice people, for good taste people. She has always been at the centre of an active social life.

Royal. Modern. Exotic.

Among her favorite clients were Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy. The sister of the Shah of Iran was addicted to her grandest works decorating her brother’s summer residence on Mauritius. Her studio was visited by Gianni Versace, Qatari princes and princesses, the Belgian Queen Paola…

“During her many travels, my mother used to love to buy exotic things, which she mixed with“ modern ”pieces. In the 70’s she was dressed in Bali cotton tunics, embroidered ethno blouses, kaftans, Indian long shirts combined with elegant patterns.“

Gabriella was hard, selective with an almost animal-like sense for people who were no good, namely those who tried to copy her models. “When she realized that someone had only come to snoop, she would kick them out,” remembers her daughter Elisabetta.

Silence, meditation and yoga

This obviously explains one very key point in Cresspi’s life – her voluntary travel to India. She begins writing a new script of her life in a small village in the Himalayas. There she meets her guru Sri Munirajji. Her point of view rolls over. The city noise no longer worries her. All her wealth fits in one backpack and in her thoughts. She enjoyed in silence, meditation and karma yoga.

Gabriella Crespi, in her Milan home of 40 years, surrounded by the furniture designs that made her famous, including the Rising Sun table and chairs, a heron sculpture and a 1974 candlestick.

My mother died on February 14, 2017, the day of the death of the Babaji priest who left this world in 1984. Until the last breath she was convinced that she has had the greatest pleasure in her life when she started from scratch”- her daughter said.