WHY IT'S WORTH IT
Fornasetti
When one mentions Italian design, Fornasetti is among the brightest stars—synonymous with quality, luxury and tradition, where craftsmanship meets artistic whimsy. It simply doesn’t get more exclusive than this.
At times, Fornasetti’s prices may seem strikingly high, but this is a brand that embodies refined quality through and through. Take the scented candles, for example—one might ask why spend thousands on a candle? But these are not ordinary candles. They are decorative objects that elevate your space. Even after the wax has burned away, the container becomes a design piece with lasting cultural and aesthetic value. Owning Fornasetti is an act of investing in something truly special. This is the kind of luxury you owe yourself.
There’s always a classic Art Deco touch in Fornasetti’s visual language—but without becoming rigid or dated. A wink of playfulness adds a bold and rebellious spirit to each piece, just like Piero Fornasetti himself. Despite the strong classical influence, his style is modern and innovative, making each item feel at home in any setting or interior.
The mind behind Fornasetti
Interior architect, sculptor, engraver, and visual artist Piero Fornasetti—born in Milan in 1913 and educated at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts—laid the foundation for a design house that has, for over 70 years, created more than 11,000 unique objects. From furniture and ceramics to textiles, plates, and candles—each piece reflects his love of craftsmanship and unmistakable sense of humor.
Fornasetti drew inspiration from Roman and Greek architecture and frequently used stylized symbols like the sun and moon. His signature color palette leans heavily on black and white as a refined graphic base, often accentuated with touches of gold.
“A wink of playfulness gives the objects their bold, rebellious charm—just like Piero Fornasetti himself.”
He is perhaps best known for the countless objects adorned with the face of opera singer and muse Lina Cavalieri, immortalized on everything from candles and diffusers to plates and ceramics. Other recurring motifs include his beloved sardines and monkeys—both whimsical and charming.
Though Piero Fornasetti passed away in 1988, the family business continues under his son Barnaba, who keeps producing beloved decorative objects with the same strength, quality and style—true to his father’s legacy.
Atmospheric scents with elegance
At Gents, we’re especially proud to offer a curated range of Fornasetti’s highly exclusive scented candles and diffusers, developed by Barnaba Fornasetti in collaboration with renowned perfumers. These hypnotic, evocative fragrances are encased in beautifully handcrafted porcelain vessels. Each motif is hand-painted, then applied through a lithographic process and glazed by hand.
The dark, leathery scent “Otto”, created by Olivier Polge, is inspired by the aromatic herbs of Fornasetti’s own garden—bringing a subtle breath of Italy into your home. Lavender and thyme mingle with iris, sandalwood, incense, balsam and birch for a rich, embracing aroma. A more floral choice is “Flora”—a feminine blend of jasmine, rose and sandalwood, composed by perfumer Emmanuel Phillip. Both come in signature porcelain jars and cheerful spherical diffusers with various decorative designs.
It’s important to remember: these scented candles are also true design objects. Once the candle has burned down (it’s recommended to burn it only for an hour or two and let the scent linger in the room), what remains is a striking decorative container—perfect as a keepsake or simply to enhance your space. Diffusers can be reused indefinitely, and the “Otto” fragrance oil is available separately (lasting 3–6 months depending on usage).
Vintage Fornasetti objects can fetch high prices at auction—cabinets and chests reaching hundreds of thousands of SEK, and rare pieces up to 50,000 SEK. Fornasetti is a name that speaks of taste, craftsmanship and timeless design. Who wouldn’t want a touch of Milan in their home?