Italian powerhouses are going soft, formful and romantic with the catwalk’s dreamy ballet-inspired look taking over interiors, too. Here we unpack the trend with a landmark shoot that brings this look to life
The New Pretty
Photography Jake Curtis Art Direction and Interiors Stylist Hannah Franklin Fashion Stylist Sofia Lazzari Concept Sarah Spiteri Words Pip Rich
e’re calling this trend The New Pretty, as it’s a fresh and invigorating take on classic themes. Delicate tones, muted pastels and curved edges have been around before, but this contemporary iteration – where ruffles, sheers and movement combine with a dash of 90s modernism – creates an atmospheric, inviting and ethereal feel.
Coming straight from the world-leading brands in Italy and influencing decor as a whole, it speaks directly to the balletcore trend so perfected by many fashion houses for SS24 (particularly look at the Chanel Haute Couture show). And it’s an evolution of a mood we’ve seen coming for a while.
It started two years ago, when curved sofas became the most covertable piece of furniture I could imagine. They symbolised a sense of comfort, smartness, elegance. I could picture using them to entertain in a way that made guests feel like the best versions of themselves. Like they could put on a nice dress (be gone the joggers of 2020!) but also kick off their shoes and curl their feet up under them. That vibe has crept into all corners of design - from stylist Colin King’s deeply rich yet minimal New York apartment to Gwyneth Paltrow’s sundrenched Californian palazzo-style home. And now it has taken on a beguiling softness, too.
Top of page and above: Karl dining table, Paolo Moschino. Nepal chairs in White Mongolian wool, Baxter. Tilda chandelier, Arteriors. Lazybones lounge chair, Baxter at Silvera. Mercury vase by Holly Dawes at M.A.H
On model: Top and shoes, both Erdem. Trousers, Hellessy. Necklace, Studio Sphinx. Earrings, Ruddock
There is a floatiness to The New Pretty, a dreaminess that invites a wardrobe of both tulle and lace and big, swooshing skirts, and is why we wanted to combine fashion for this landmark Livingetc shoot. It just makes me want to glide, and to create a home where there is no friction or hardness, where everything feels, well, pretty. It’s a look that looks after you, in a way, rounding the edges of your soul, too.
Its tenets are pretty straightforward. Luscious, tactile textures such as wool and bouclé are added in a considered way to a color palette of buttery neutrals, warm white, chalky pinks and delicate blues. Patterns are abstract and dreamy instead of floral or graphic, while black accents and silver details prevent the look from becoming too saccharine. Seating is oversized - all the better for lying back on - plump and cushioned. You should want to touch everything in a room that is decorated this way, and it should make you feel held, safe, comforted and elevated.
This landmark Livingetc shoot celebrates how that translates to an interior space, from color and texture to shape and setting.
You should want to touch everything
in a room that is decorated this way,
and it should make you feel held,
Left image: Screen by The Dormy House, covered in Sanjana in Clay, Karanja collection by Pure Concept at Warwick Fabrics. Pad floor lamp in Antique Faux Gesso, Julian Chichester. Gathered lampshade in Cream Moire, Fermoie
On model: Top and trousers, both Huishan Zhang. Shoes, Malone Souliers. Earrings, Chanel at 4element
Right image: Le Club armchairs in S-Pelle Silk 10 Terracotta, Poliform. Dusk Original rug, KnotsRugs x Nat Maks. Twig console, Porta Romana. J’ai Fait Un Rêve Obscur painting by Ha Hoang-Lamy; Aheste vase 4 by Ayse Habibe Kucuk, both at M.A.H
On model: Dress, ByVarga. Shoes, Emma Hyacinth. Earrings, Ruddock, Côté Caché at Wolf & Badger
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Global Brand Director Sarah Spiteri / @Sarah Spiteri
VP of Creative Alexa Wiley / @awiley_creative
Executive Director, Entertainment Jessica Baker / @jbake21
Director of Production Samantha Rockman / @rockman_productions
Photography Shane McCauley / @shanemccauley
stylist Danielle Goldberg / @daniellegoldberg Hair Stylist Irinel de Leon @ Mane Addicts / @hairinel
Makeup Artist Dana Delaney @ The Wall Group / @dana-delane
Manicurist Natalie Minerva @ Forward Artists / @natalieminervanails
Set Designer Cecilio Dolcetto Lara Ramirez / @dolcetto
Director / DP James Ollard @ Amusement Productions / @amusementproductions.la
Camera Assistant Nate Cuboi / @natecueboi Sound Mixer Jason Flaster / @jasonflaster Video Editor Tony Brown
Camaleonda three-seater sofa; Camaleonda ottoman, both by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia. Dawn Original rug, Knots Rugs x Nat Maks. Cicladi tables, Edra. Seaweed platter by Flora Wallace at Wondering People. Orbit coffee tables, Poliform. Pompeii II vase, Anna Lea Tunesi. Pacha lounge chair, Gubi at Heal’s. Torii stool, Porada. Fontana console, Paolo Moschino. Mercury vase by Holly Dawes at M.A.H
On model: Dress and jacket, both Selezza London
Chair Shell #1, Nilufar Edition
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Kenneth Sideboard, Minotti
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Riva Vase, Claude Home
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Emperor Side Table, STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN
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Annaway Dining Table, Anthropologie
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Tufted Wool Rug, H&M Home
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Italian - and Italian-inspired - decor that embodies this key trend
Shop The New Pretty
both tulle and lace and big, swooshing skirts
a dreaminess that invites a wardrobe of
There is a floatiness to The New Pretty,
Paipaï loveseat in Varese velvet, Ligne Roset West End. Megève rug, Nörki at The Invisible Collection. Rialto console, Rimadesio. Quadraginta vase by Kelly Jessiman at M.A.H. Seaweed platter by Flora Wallace at Wondering People. Arbour chandelier, Martin Huxford
On model: Dress, The Vampire’s Wife. Shoes, Chylak. Earrings, Emma Holland Jewellery at Wolf & Badger
safe, comforted and elevated.
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Global Brand Director
Sarah Spiteri / @Sarah Spiteri
VP of Creative
Alexa Wiley / @awiley_creative
Executive Director, Entertainment
Jessica Baker / @jbake21
Director of Production
Samantha Rockman / @rockman_productions
Photography
Shane McCauley / @shanemccauley
stylist
Danielle Goldberg / @daniellegoldberg Hair Stylist
Irinel de Leon @ Mane Addicts / @hairinel
Makeup Artist
Dana Delaney @ The Wall Group
/ @dana-delane
Manicurist
Natalie Minerva @ Forward Artists
/ @natalieminervanails
Set Designer
Cecilio Dolcetto Lara Ramirez / @dolcetto
Director / DP
James Ollard @ Amusement Productions
/ @amusementproductions.la
Camera Assistant
Nate Cuboi / @natecueboi Sound Mixer
Jason Flaster/ @jasonflaster Video Editor
Tony Brown
Dress, Tory Burch. Shoes, By Far. Earrings, Ana Khouri
and surprising
– I want it to feel
rich and interesting
walk into a room
something when I
I want to feel
SS I personally think space affects your outlook so much, and where you live reflects who you are and how you feel. Do you have an early memory of when you became conscious of space? LH When we moved into our Evanston house, I had two bedrooms, which was a huge flex as a seven year old. It was an old house and there was a bedroom and then what would have been a dressing room. And it was the 90s, right. Remember the plastic inflatable furniture? I remember getting an inflatable chair. It was clear and sparkly. That was the coolest thing ever. SS I love it – what a throwback! Nowadays you have such a clear and developed aesthetic. When and how did you start to develop your sense of style? LH It’s always been something that I’ve been obsessed with in a way that made no sense for my surroundings. I remember from a young age begging my mom to buy me Vogue and saving all of them and cutting favorite pages out. In that childhood bedroom I covered the walls with these pages. It started for me with fashion and as I got older morphed into this love of interiors as I’ve become more aware of my space and my surroundings, and having my own homes and wanting to furnish those homes. I love clothes so much but that’s what I’m drawn to more I think now. SS So would we say that it was having your first home that sparked that interest? LH My first place on my own was in the East Village. I was 18. It was a fifth floor walk-up which is annoying but also really nice as you get the good light. I had a brick wall and this vintage couch. I have no idea where I got it and it was so uncomfortable and nobody would sit on it. But I was like, oooh it’s design-y. Looking back, it is not how I would want a space to look today, but it represents a sense of adulthood and creating my little nest, which is something I still love. I’m ageing myself here but it’s so cool now having Pinterest and all of these sources for inspiration that are easily accessible. You can just go on your phone and see so much stuff and know what you’re drawn to as opposed to when I had my first apartment I didn’t really know what I liked and was just going for stuff. SS I agree, design is now really democratised thanks to social media. I am sure you also get a load of inspiration from your work, right? You’re exposed to these incredible sets and you more or less live in this other world for the duration of filming. How do you think this has affected you? LH That’s a good question. I have never thought about it. I guess they feed each other. When I’m researching a character, or figuring out how to get into who this person is, space is definitely part of that. As are clothing choices and hair and the whole look. I think, where do they live? What does their space look like? What is their aesthetic? Because that’s how I move through the world. I don’t know if every actor does that. For me, what I am wearing and how my hair looks informs who I am as a person. I do think my work has grown my appreciation for space and for my surroundings because I’m always in awe of set design and set designers and the people who create these entire worlds from the ground up. Every time it’s mind blowing to me.
Dress, Rosie Assoulin. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Ear cuff and ring, Ana Khouri
hen you see people on the pages of Livingetc, they’re usually one of two things. Either a homeowner, posing nonchalantly in their kitchen as we tell the world about how fabulous their house is; or a designer we like and want to introduce you to. We’d now like to start occasionally using people in a third way. Because people can be a powerful tool to bring themes to life. So to celebrate our quarterly landmark issues (this one is themed Expressive Elegance), we plan to identify well-known, interesting and emerging people from the world of film, music and television to represent something, well, interesting and emerging. A tangible way to talk through an idea.
Photography Shane McCauley fashion stylist Danielle Goldberg VP of Creative Alexa Wiley Director of Production Samantha Rockman
Actress Laura Harrier is the embodiment of Expressive Elegance - the emerging design style of 2024. She's also interiors obsessed. Global Brand Director Sarah Spiteri meets her and gets to the bottom of it all
Laura Harrier on Modern Maximalism, Martini Vibes and Why She Hates Quiet Luxury
make you feel held,
held, safe, comforted
it should make you feel
decorated this way, and
to touch everything
You should want
and elevated.
Top image: Screen by The Dormy House, covered in Sanjana in Clay, Karanja collection by Pure Concept at Warwick Fabrics. Pad floor lamp in Antique Faux Gesso, Julian Chichester. Gathered lampshade in Cream Moire, Fermoie On model: Top and trousers, both Huishan Zhang. Shoes, Malone Souliers. Earrings, Chanel at 4element
Bottom image: Le Club armchairs in S-Pelle Silk 10 Terracotta, Poliform. Dusk Original rug, KnotsRugs x Nat Maks. Twig console, Porta Romana. J’ai Fait Un Rêve Obscur painting by Ha Hoang-Lamy; Aheste vase 4 by Ayse Habibe Kucuk, both at M.A.H
On model: Dress, ByVarga. Shoes, Emma Hyacinth. Earrings, Ruddock, Côté Caché at Wolf & Badger
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