In Nigeria, on Thursday December 15 2016, the Alter Ego Private Atelier officially opened. This is singular event of immense significance because, for the first time in Africa, higher-class personalities now have within their reach a company of well-trained luxury experts to help translate their desires for supreme quality home décor pieces and travel accessories.
Traditionally, the haute pieces to be presented by Alter Ego are only made to measure and available by pre-order. But for its inaugural appearance in Nigeria, the multinational creative emporium arrived with a commemorative collection of limited edition ALTEREGO Milano Artcases and Alchymia interior décor objects.
Unlike the usual high-end but off-the-shelf travel cases, ALTEREGO Milano Artcases are created to reflect the distinct personality of the owner. From conception to design and construction, ALTEREGO Milano collaborates with its clients to fashion out remarkable travel gear that are in themselves outstanding works of art.
There are three exquisite levels on the ALTEREGO Milano scale. First is the AE Original Collection, which comprises thirteen lines. Eight of these lines are made of calfskin. The rest are of crocodile leather.
When the Original Collection is further customised, using pre-defined options of leather, stones and woods, it becomes the AE Evolution.
But the AE Revolution is the ultimate grade of ALTEREGO Milano products. Made from start to finish according to the acquiring party’s request, items in the AE Revolution class are developed at the Physiognomic Lab, a special ALTEREGO Milano department overseeing research, advanced technologies, and projects elaboration.
To bring these masterpieces into being, according to Julia D. Lantieri, CEO of Alter Ego Project Group, Alterego craftsmen explore the unlimited possibilities in the relationship between science and art.
“This is where art embraces science and high quality engineering fuses with Italian chic. Just the way fine champagne is born from water and grapes, an exclusive personal artcase is handcrafted from leather and steel to find its rightful customer.” Says Lantieri.
ALTEREGO Milano Artcases are created with “exotic leathers, handpicked stones, velvet-soft durable textiles and precious woods” and the customer enjoys the privilege of selecting the trims, decoration, and extended functionalities of the finished item, guided, of course, by a private concierge.
When it is time to put it all together, raw materials are carved, polished, and sewn together by experienced Italian artisans who do their work in a decades old family workshop on Como Lake.
However, beyond the Artcases, the Alter Ego Private Atelier is itself a work of art. Basking in the pristine opulence of Alchymia, it is the perfect space for distinguished Nigerians to explore private advice on top-of-the-range interior design and exclusive travel accessories, which are of a higher value than most designer names.
A visit to the new facility will expose style connoisseurs to standards only enjoyed in other prestige locations around the world.
The Alter Ego Project Group, which owns a similar atelier in Milan, an upscale design bureau in Moscow and seasonal off-site venues at St. Tropez and London, says it will continue, as it does everywhere it operates around the world, to give “the ultimate response” to VIP tastemakers who call in to inquire about exceptional comfort, aesthetics and exclusivity towards a rich and fulfilling lifestyle.
For those who instinctively know the kind of feeling they crave from their home design, Alter Ego artists and consultants will introduce them to the gilded world that has made Alchymia world famous.
Born many centuries ago in Italy, Alchymia is a family business whose genius, passion and mastery of decoration have led to inspired decorative concepts that are based on Italian heritage yet perpetually enchanting to the rest of the world. The company builds on its colourful history with a painstaking research and development philosophy. This is why its products, while broadly European in foundation, are native to everywhere cultured design languages are spoken.
In the twenty-first century, Alchymia is giving new meaning to art deco by combining classical and oriental motifs. The result is highlighted with unexpected references from areas of human adventures such as music, eastern architecture and opera.
Because true bespoke excellence is rooted in the stylist’s skill to capture the unspoken needs and desires of the customer, the Alter Ego Project Group brings its nuanced client services approach to Nigeria. It is also partnering with the Black Pelican Limited, whose CEO, Michael Owolabi, is the country’s leading expert on luxury bathrooms, kitchens, and accessories via his Il Bagno brand.
As Alter Ego Private Atelier opens at Rachel Court, Gudu District, Abuja, the client, according to Lantieri, will remain the centre of its luxury universe.
To find out more about the Alter Ego Private Atelier click here