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Ernest Hemingway once said Paris is a moveable feast—meaning that, even when you leave, its beauty stays with you. That’s how Emilia Wickstead feels about the Lake Como hotel Passalacqua, which was recently named best in the world. “You walk into this fantasy world,” the British designer says of the 18th-century villa. “It’s the epitome of: you wouldn’t change anything. It’s something just so beautiful and mesmerizing. Every little detail.”
There was no corner of Passalacqua, Wickstead continues, that she didn’t fall in love with. She loved the gardens with their ancient pergolas, the jewel box guest rooms with Murano chandeliers, antiques, and silk taffeta curtains. She loved the grand marble staircase, the breakfast with cakes on silver trays. And she loved the terraces that overlooked Lake Como itself, where a wooden Riva Aquamarina bobbed off the dock.
So she decided to design a summer capsule collection inspired by it. The Emilia Wickstead x Passalacqua line is composed of stylish, statement summer staples: think caftans and wrap dresses you can throw for lunch by the pool, as well as swimsuits for a quick dip afterwards. The cheerful color palette—of blues, reds, yellows, and oranges—is taken from the hotel itself. “You have this mustard, which is very much the quintessential Passalacqua color, as it’s the same shade as the exterior of the 18th century villa. The red is a nod to the rose gardens,” she says. “Then there’s the extraordinary blue in the breakfast room and dining area.”
She also created a new twist on florals—a house code of Wickstead’s—by intertwining the classic print with Piscean details. “Floral with the fish—that is very much Passalacqua,” she says.
The collection will be sold online, at Emilia Wickstead stores, as well as at Passalacqua itself.
“These timeless designs perfectly capture the spirit of Passalacqua, and give every woman a chance to carry it with them wherever they go. I can’t wait for everyone to experience the beautiful craftsmanship, flattering silhouettes, and vibrant prints of these swimsuits and caftans.” says Passalacqua owner Valentina de Santis. Go ahead and add it all to your vacation packing list.
