True glamour is one of those things that few people can learn; it’s usually inherent and people are either born glamorous, or not. For many, glamour is something viewed from afar—and almost always coveted. We’ve come across a woman and designer whose glamorous life can hardly be contained in one measly post—but we’ll try. Meet today’s designer influence, Gabriella Crespi.
It’s true that the word “glamour” is probably the underlying thread that connects all of Crespi’s designs throughout a long and fruitful career, of which included furniture, mobiles, flatware, jewelry and accessories. But many of her pieces also have other characteristics in common. Metallic finishes like brass, silver and other mirrored surfaces play a huge role in her furniture pieces, as well as sharp lines, geometric shapes and sensuous curves. Her designs were loud, experimental, bold and unafraid. She also played around with materials like Plexiglas, as well as more natural options like bamboo. You’ll often see contrasting colors and elements in her work (especially in her Yin Yang line).
Another fun element to Crespi’s work, and one that made her and her work so successful was her furniture’s inherent functionality. Originally trained as an architect in Italy, her furniture often features hidden compartments, interesting joints and exciting opening or closing mechanisms. This lent a balancing masculine feel to her pieces, which often had the luxurious glamour feel of the feminine.
It’s true that the word “glamour” is probably the underlying thread that connects all of Crespi’s designs throughout a long and fruitful career, of which included furniture, mobiles, flatware, jewelry and accessories. But many of her pieces also have other characteristics in common. Metallic finishes like brass, silver and other mirrored surfaces play a huge role in her furniture pieces, as well as sharp lines, geometric shapes and sensuous curves. Her designs were loud, experimental, bold and unafraid. She also played around with materials like Plexiglas, as well as more natural options like bamboo. You’ll often see contrasting colors and elements in her work (especially in her Yin Yang line).
Another fun element to Crespi’s work, and one that made her and her work so successful was her furniture’s inherent functionality. Originally trained as an architect in Italy, her furniture often features hidden compartments, interesting joints and exciting opening or closing mechanisms. This lent a balancing masculine feel to her pieces, which often had the luxurious glamour feel of the feminine.
The only big downside to Crespi’s work is many of her pieces were special orders for projects, meaning they were custom made and often only one at a time. Though some work was mass-produced, many items of Crespi’s work are one-of-a-kind pieces, so it should come as no surprise that they are quite expensive to come by these days. But, if you have the money to spend, her work makes excellent, as well as good-looking, investment pieces.
Crespi’s exotic and fashionable lifestyle abruptly came to an end in 1987—not due to death—but because she quit the business and devoted her life to Indian religious teachings, often spending months in remote parts of India with a guru, even into her old age. What an interesting way to end an interesting life! 
