When Gerry and Jinky Sy first approached the group behind the famed Fornasetti luxury home decor during a trip in Italy, they were told right off that the plates were very expensive and that they were not exactly for eating off.

Jinky recalled back then how she and her husband thought that maybe not in the Philippines where the social set has never been encumbered by such decrees. Jinky related that Gerry's persistence eventually convinced the group that there was truly a market in the country for such pricey decorative plates and tableware.

Fornasetti decorative plates are normally hanged on the wall like paintings. On the contrary, the craziest of rich Asians are unstoppable and insist on eating off them anyway. In a sea of made-in-China fakes sold at about P200 online, the genuine plates made in Milan could range from P10,000 to P40,000 apiece.

In November 2019, the inception of the pandemic, Gerry and Jinky opened Opulence Design Concepts showcasing exquisite Fornasetti pieces that were readily lapped up by its posh market. The store also expanded to include more affluent brands like Versace, Sambonet, Thomas, MisuraEmme, Stosa Cucine, Vimar, and Samsung.

Gerry and Jinky are one of five partners of Fornasetti around the world. "We're actually doing well in Asia considering we took the big risk. All pieces are
hand-painted and it could take long for shipment to arrive but clients are willing to wait. A lot of people are into the arts now so it's even better."

In 2020, the business had to halt operations as luxury retail was palpably excluded from what was considered as "essentials."

"Business suffered for a while," Jinky recalled. "But good thing people were into online shopping and, in a way, we were blessed because we had clients who were just buying furniture. It helped that people had no choice but to shop locally.

While travel plans abroad didn't happen due to the lockdowns, Jinky surmised that clients diverted their focus on improving their living spaces instead. Gerry, an IT expert, quickly drove the company to pivot towards selling online.

Fornasetti achieved its fame with the iconic face of opera singer Lina Cavalieri who appears in various black-and-white themes conjured by its artist-founder Piero Fornasetti. The artistic design company, named after its driving force, is also known for whimsical motifs like the sun, moon, animals and other Surrealist images that was the prevailing genre of its early years.

The Milan-based company is run by the founder's son, Barnaba Fornasetti and has branched out to offer handmade home decor, furniture, and tableware.

At home with influencers

Admittedly, the unexpected success of Fornasetti sales in Manila was given added push by content creators like fashion and showbiz celebrity Heart Evengelista who regularly posts photos of her Fornasetti collection. And yes, Heart is known to share stories of her gorgeous and decadent table settings where Fornasetti plates are luxuriously used for eating.

Jinky said, "Influencers have also played an important role in (luxury retail). Whenever they buy, they post and it becomes a boost to our sales. I believe there's a growing number of luxury influencers.
Heart has great convincing power. There was a time she posted a Fornasetti cabinet that she bought from us and instantly, we got private messages how much it was, if there were stocks available, what color does it come in, and so on. The same thing is true when she posts her Fornasetti teacups, table, and plates."

On another note, the pandemic has inspired people to be more thoughtful about living, she added: "But at the same time, I think that people now know how to enjoy life. Life is short. Don't just keep your money in the bank, you have to enjoy it."

Tablescapes of joy
In time for the holiday season, Opulence Design Concepts has laid a spread of color and elegance on the table for Christmas with Signum collection, a marriage of two global luxury brands, Swarovski and Rosenthal.

On 3 December, the store launched the collection with guest influencers showing off their elegant and whimsical tablescapes. Leading the list is Heart Evangelista who worked on the Azure (blue) collection; TV host Pinky Tobiano who styled the Rose collection; content creator Camille Co who presented her Jonquil creation; and stylist Robert Blancaflor for the Fern collection.

Besides appreciating the fine and gentle art of tablescaping, the event also presented the individual signature features of both Swarovski and Rosenthal: the octagonal motif of Swarovski and the exquisite craftsmanship of Rosenthal ceramic flatware.

The resulting candy colors alone are mouth-watering in pastel blue, pink, yellow and green. There's a hippy retro-futurism style to it, inspired from the 19th century Austrian art movement. The new Swarovski x Rosenthal collab incorporates swan-engraved, cut crystal lids as the brand's spin on playful and whimsical tableware.

It's the first time that Swarovski has released a tableware line. Besides the Signum Collection pieces, the store also dropped Fornasetti's latest candles.

For the gift-giving season, the store's newest releases, Jinky suggested, are "for those who have everything."

Home for the holidays
"Oh yes, I think shopping in physical stores are so back. People are dying to go out. There's a sense of normalcy now.," Jinky said. "But Christmas will always be about family. Spending time wiht family and thanking God for the gift of life."

On giving away beautiful , indulgent things as perfect presents, she added: "When you receive something from the store, it just makes it more special, gives more added value to the gifts. Beyond luxury, it's always the thought that counts."

Opulence Desings Concepts has another store in Connecticut Street in Greenhills, and a pop-up shop at the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell. Soon, stores in Greenbelt in Makati City and in Bonifacio Global City are also set to open.