Italian luxury textile brand Fortuny is expanding its design portfolio with the launch of its first wallpaper collection, developed in collaboration with San Patrignano Casa D’Arte, an arts and crafts initiative that provides professional training to members of the Italian rehabilitation community.
The collection brings Fortuny’s signature decorative patterns into wall coverings, combining the brand’s historical designs with artisanal finishes inspired by marble, lime wash and embossed leather. Each wallpaper is handcrafted and made to order, with customization options across materials, colours and textures.
The new range will be unveiled at Fortuny’s historic showroom on Giudecca in Venice as part of the Homo Faber in Città programme, which features craft-focused events across the city. The launch highlights the company’s continued exploration of traditional craftsmanship while extending its established aesthetic into a new interior design category.
A New Chapter for Fortuny’s Design Legacy
Founded in 1921 by artist and inventor Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo, the company built its reputation on distinctive textiles and enduring designs. Its fabrics and iconic Delphos dresses attracted admirers including Isadora Duncan and Oona Chaplin, while its creative influence continues to resonate with contemporary designers such as Rick Owens.
Brothers Mickey and Maury Riad have led the family-run business since taking over from their father, Maged Riad, in 1998. Under their leadership, Fortuny has pursued new opportunities while preserving its design heritage, including the launch of its e-commerce business in 2024.
Although Fortuny textiles have traditionally been used as wall coverings, the wallpaper collection introduces new ways to explore the brand’s decorative language through different surfaces and production techniques. Mickey Riad described the move as a natural extension of the existing collection, allowing the company to express its creative identity through additional materials and finishes.
The collection is designed for both residential interiors and hospitality spaces. It will be showcased at the Venice showroom throughout September, with live demonstrations planned for September 8, 22 and 29. During the events, artisans from San Patrignano Casa D’Arte will present techniques used to create the collection’s distinctive finishes.
The collaboration also underscores San Patrignano’s commitment to using craftsmanship as a pathway to professional development. Established in 1978, the Rimini-based community supports people recovering from drug addiction by providing training and opportunities to develop new skills.
Casa D’Arte has previously worked with established design businesses, including Artemest, creating handcrafted objects and collaborating with textile producers on exclusive wallpaper and fabric collections.
According to San Patrignano, it has supported more than 26,000 young people free of charge and currently accommodates approximately 900 residents. The organisation also reports an independently verified drug-free success rate of more than 70 per cent.
For Fortuny, the launch marks an expansion into a new product category while maintaining its focus on heritage and craftsmanship. For San Patrignano, the partnership provides another opportunity to bring the skills of its artisans into the luxury interiors market.
