Home, in the hands of Cal Fernie, Sophie Dalah, and Alex Ponting, takes on new dimensions – spaces curated not only for style but for sanctuary, with Emporio Armani offering a seamless bridge between rest and elegance. Emporio Armani has always stood for more than clothing, embodying an elevated lifestyle steeped in sophistication and urban ease. And the spirit of the House's Fall 2024 collection is a refined embrace of comfort, melding timeless tailoring with soft, fluid silhouettes that echo the serene luxury of city dwellings.
In this collection, we find garments that invite us to slow down, to craft a sense of home even amidst the chaos of modern life. Fernie, Dalah, and Ponting, each immersed in the creative hustle of their respective big cities, bring a unique perspective to this notion. They understand the paradox of the city’s frenetic energy and how to secure those rare moments of stillness within it. Through their eyes, these pieces find new life, worn not merely as attire, but as expressions of a life well lived, where the importance of slowing down – whether over an ice-cold aperitivo or snacking on a crudité board – is as valued as the precision of a well-tailored jacket.
For Cal Fernie, home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, is a refuge amid the bustling city. The co-founder of Arlo Communal, a culinary project dedicated to gathering people through shared food and culture, finds grounding in his cozy kitchen-centred abode. "I would describe my space – being my home in Brooklyn – as a place to come home and recharge," he tells RUSSH.
"It’s very focused around the kitchen, those four gas hubs. Between my life in my house, it’s the hubs, the couch, and the TV." Fernie’s approach to unwinding is simple yet communal – cooking and inviting friends into his garden. With a Negroni in hand – his go-to aperitivo, he tells us – he takes a step back from city life, indulging in moments that celebrate connection. And when he has the time to truly escape? "If I’ve got a little more time, I’m going to Mallorca," he shares. "Soller, Alconáser, Deià…chilling by the ocean, that’s what I’m going to be doing if I had a week off."
Australian-born chef and events stylist Sophie Dalah, whose L.A. space exudes an eclectic charm, finds her sense of home in collections that tell stories. "The way I describe my space is very eclectic. Each object has a story, and I know where I got it from," she says. For her, her collection of vintage Le Creuset vegetable pots from the 70s and 80s represent more than just décor – they’re pieces of her journey.
When unwinding, Dalah’s ritual involves creating heartwarming stews from leftover produce, grounding her in the sensory pleasures of home. "I also love to online shop," she confesses, "I will just scroll and scroll..." Her aperitivo hour is marked by small indulgences: a big chunk of parmesan, pickles, and prosciutto paired with a light, chilled red wine. "Home is where my pots are," she laughs in summary.
Meanwhile, architect and AP Design House founder Alex Ponting’s living and work space in Sydney radiates a blend of grandiosity and modern minimalism. "I’m drawn to quite modernist pieces of furniture," she says. "It’s a little bit eclectic, but minimal at the same time." For Ponting, Emporio Armani’s oversized coat epitomises the elegant comfort she seeks when winding down.
"It cinches in at the waist, but you can also wear it open. It’s a little bit androgynous but feminine at the same time," she explains, capturing her blend of structure and softness. Her aperitivo ritual is equally refined: "Beverage? Definitely a Negroni. But some days call for some fizz. And for a snack – I love a crudité board." When she needs to truly disconnect, Ponting heads to Gerroa on the NSW South Coast, where a mix of countryside and coast offers her the perfect creative reset. "It’s just bliss," she says. "It’s like country-meets-coast, and I truly unwind there."
