Grand Tour Lake Como is the ambitious project of Davide and Massimo, partners in a fabric design studio who have been working with Italian and international printers and textile companies for almost thirty years now. During the long months of lockdown, in 2020 and 2021, they nurtured a wish to give life to something unique and personal, something that would offer them scope and space for their own creativity, without restrictions or external influences. “We had had this project in mind for some time, we wanted to create something that related to our Lake, but which was also of the highest quality and carefully considered in every detail, from design to printing. Something that was also designed for tourists, but not touristy”, say the two partners.
So it was that in 2021, “Lake Bliss” was born, initially conceived as a single product and later turning into a true collection of foulards, scarves and bandeaux inspired by the beauty of the lake. In these extraordinary pieces of textile art, each element identifies a place or feature of the Lake Como area. These include the gates of four famous villas in Como, the fountain at Villa Olmo and the decorative features of Villa Erba. “Lake Bliss” was followed by “The Rising City”, a collection dedicated to the city of Milan. Here too, there are many elements and details that characterise the city, such as the dome of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the floor mosaics, and its architecture. “The peacock is the distinctive element of our brand, which can be seen in our logo, and whenever possible we include it in our creations”, says Davide.
The largest and most demanding product has however been “Concerto”, a 135x135cm shawl whose design took almost two months. This amazing creation is also the result of careful and thorough study of detail and of decorative elements that are harmoniously gathered together in a single print. “Concerto” is an ode to Lake Como and to the many works on its shores. Its centre reproduces a bust of Giuditta Pasta, born in Blevio and regarded, together with Maria Malibran, as the finest opera singer of the 19th century.
“We took our starting point as Como because it is where it all began, but as our name, “Grand Tour”, suggests, we also decided not to limit ourselves to our local landscape, but to celebrate all the beauties of our country”. With this in mind “Viaggio in Italia” came about, Davide and Massimo's most recent collection, which picks up on motifs and elements typical of Italy's cultural and artistic heritage, such as the fine decorations of clothes represented in the traditional portraiture of the Gonzaga family, the coats of arms of the four Maritime Republics, and the style of the classical Italian garden.
All Grand Tour Lake Como products are designed by Davide and printed only on Italian silk. The link with the local area and support for local craftsmanship are cornerstones of this project that has resulted from a personal passion, and which has in just two years has become well-known and much-appreciated by local and foreign customers alike because of the quality of the fabrics and finish. Davide and Massimo’s brand started life in a small workshop in Nesso, and finally found a home in the centre of Como in February 2023. There in a charming shop the two partners, with the help of a trusted associate, present and display their creations in sophisticated black frames as elegant contemporary paintings.