Icon Trend: Carlo Mollino – A Postmodern Prophet I.

Carlo Mollino's residence in Turin, 1970 Icon Baby

Carlo Mollino was a era defining designer and architect with a penchant for erotic photography. H e p r e t t y m u c h h a d i t a l l. Born the sole heir to a wealthy Turinese family in 1905, he had a strained relationship with his father in a time when Fascism and Communism had a mutual stranglehold over Europe. Add to this the traditionalism of Catholic Italian society and Mollino should be applauded for his dogmatic, yet far-sighted devotion to non-conformity. Mollino was seen as an outsider and conservatives attacked his idiosyncratic designs and dandyism. A m a n a h e a d o f h i s t i m e, he was a post-modern prophet, architect, designer and champion skier, pilot, racing car driver and lady lover.

Carlo Mollino's residence in Turin, 1970 Icon Baby

I know-- these photos are around the web for a long time, but I'm still mesmerized by their style and modernity. Each element of the design is a today a classic. The oversized proportions of the paper ceiling lights, the mix and match of antiques and modern pieces, Grisaille wallcovering and animal print.... I love it all.

Carlo Mollino's residence in Turin, 1970 Icon Baby

Carlo Mollino - Icon Baby

Don't you love the curved line!