An iconic photograph of the Hotel Il Pellicano pool, shot by Slim Aarons
Courtesy of Hotel Il Pellicano; Photography: Slim Aarons
A perfectly tanned woman lying on a yacht, a swimming pool glistening in the Mediterranean sunshine and sunbeds beckoning you to lounge — Slim Aarons’s iconic photographs of the jet set era epitomized the pleasure of leisure. It also turned one of his favorite haunts, Hotel Il Pellicano in Italy’s Porto Ercole, into a symbol of Italian glamour.
This intimate, family-owned resort off the coast of Tuscany, which Aarons frequented between the 1960s and 1980s, is considered one of the most fabled hotels in the world. Six decades since it first opened its doors, it continues to attract A-listers and creative nomads season after season, and has arguably become even more popular in real life and on social media.
The Hotel Il Pellicano Beach Club is a symbol of Italian glamour
Courtesy of Hotel Il Pellicano
Even if you’ve never been to Il Pellicano, it’s the kind of place that you can clearly picture, thanks to how it was immortalised by Aaron but also how it has nurtured a community of tastemakers who become Pellicano ambassadors.
Welcoming artists, film makers, photographers and other creatives is one that Marie-Louise Sciò, Creative Director and CEO of the Pellicano Hotels group, fervently prioritizes. Case in point: She invited the likes of Jurgen Teller, Angela Missoni, Margherita Missoni, Maria Sharapova, and Alex Eagle to come for a stylish soiree in June to mark the hotel’s 60th birthday.
The Pellicano Life
A true-blue creative herself, Sciò also has a genuine passion — and unique knack — of creating highly covetable collaborations. She formalised this with Issimo, a digital extension of the Pellicano world and a home for the best of Italy and Italian craftsmanship.
The Highsnobiety x Hotel Il Pellicano capsule collection marks the legendary hotel’s 60th birthday
Courtesy of Hotel Il Pellicano
For the hotel’s 60th anniversary, they unveiled a partnership with Highsnobiety, a much-loved global platform for youth and contemporary culture, established in 2005.
The retro-modern collaboration showcases the Pellicano spirit but with a fresh spin, designed to attract both loyal guests as well as fashionable travellers looking for relaxed, elegant pieces for their summer sojourns.
“This collaboration with Highsnobiety feels original, playful, and incredibly true to who we are. It celebrates our history, but also connects with a new generation of travellers and dreamers who crave beauty, style, and a little bit of magic,” says Sciò of the partnership.
The Highsnobiety x Hotel Il Pellicano capsule collection spans clothing, accessories and even a pétanque set
Courtesy of Hotel Il Pellicano
The collection features navy terry sets for lounging by the pool; short sleeve jerseys adorned with imagery from Slim Aarons dubbed as “wearable postcards”; navy and beige caps for an “off-duty yacht guest” look; a market and cute mini tote bag to hold beach reads and vacation essentials. Other fun items include special edition Speedo trunks as well as a pétanque set — the ultimate way to recreate a holiday feel at home.
Naturally, the hotel has also launched its own celebratory collection, the Pellicano Logo Capsule Collection, to officially mark the milestone. Drawing inspiration from 1960s-era photographs by John Swope, it showcases the Pellicano logo print across easy to wear pieces such as tees, pants, sarongs, and the first-ever Kids T-shirt collection.
The Highsnobiety x Hotel Il Pellicano capsule and the Pellicano Logo Capsule Collection are available exclusively at www.issimoissimo.com. The Highsnobiety x Hotel Il Pellicano capsule also retails on the Highsnobiety iOS App, Highsnobiety Shop and Highsnobiety Berlin Flagship Store.
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