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volante:
méxico
 Nature prevails: Capricho, by Custo Barcelona
Custo Barcelona will go beyond its fashion design roots with the interiors
at Capricho, a Cancun resort. Kamitha Sloan gives a preview
BETWEEN a bantam lagoon of mangroves
and the ocean lies an exclusive and surreptitious paradise in the
Mexican Caribbean proudly named the Capricho Residences at the Playa
Mujeres Resort. Ten minutes from downtown Cancun, what distinguishes
the property is the marriage of Capricho and fashion design house
Custo Barcelona, which will be behind the interiors of the residences.
Notoriously known for their graphic wizardry and polychromatic
expressionism, Custo Barcelona—brothers Custo and David Dalmau—are
a vanguard in collaborating and harmonizing textiles and colour. Once
asked what the difference is between an artist and a designer, Custo
Dalmau replied, ‘We are designers of art. Our philosophy is in the
DNA of our formation since the company’s
inception over 25 years ago. Comfort, function, mobility, shape, structure
and tone are elemental in how we devise our collections. We simply
allow our senses to play into a higher level of spirituality. We reinvent
the wheel by shifting our operetta of fashion.’
From their first œuvre, the T-shirt, which has become
a staple in every collection, to accessories, footwear, fragrance,
handbags, swimwear, sunglasses and limited-edition pieces which include
a customized Hummer, Motorola phone, Perrier bottles and cans and
a regatta sail for an Estrella Damm sailboat, Custo Barcelona has
steered its course into revolutionizing our perceptions of living
and feeling. It’s the infectious and prolific compositions of their
creative consciousness that set them apart.
Their expansion into the world of interior design is
another elaboration of their æsthetic. Custo Dalmau states,
‘The new challenge is to integrate eco-friendly materials into our
lives; in fact, we believe that it will become the new luxury.’
Capricho is a low-density gated community with each building
standing no more than five storeys, sitting on 900 acres of posh and
panoramic views, with over two miles of pristine beach front and access
to the second largest coral reef in the world. The sought-out destination
for the élite features a 170-strip marina and two championship
18-hole signature Greg Norman golf courses, a helipad and an exquisite
selection of upscale restaurants and boutiques. Their salon hotel
is comprised of only 16 spacious rooms starting at 1,500 ft² for the
use of family, friends, owners and visitors.
Other amenities include a beach club, gym and spa and
private residences that will shelter 220; two-, three- and four-bedroom
units ranging from 2,200 to 4,500 ft² and four penthouse suites at
6,500 ft², including large outdoor and rooftop terraces, plunge pools,
fire pits and luscious gardens of fauna and flora.
The influence of Custo Barcelona is apparent upon arrival.
As guests travel to the property’s main pool, they will proceed to
walk along a ‘Barcelona-style’ Custo floor design. Custo explains,
‘We have begun to capture a graphic concept using different kinds
of indigenous wood. The brainstorm of the vision differentiates itself
due to the natural materials we are working with. We were inspired
by the wonderful Mexican artists who utilize a technique called marquetry;
thus linking the theory of Diego Rivera’s traditional mirrors.’ Marquetry
is the art of inlaying different surfaces to create a picture and
is often found in the finest of furniture. The peculiarities in the
grain and knots are used in the overall effect.
The beach club will emphasize eco-zen chic elements starting
with an original mural at the entrance, chaise and lounge chairs,
sun beds, pool umbrellas and a private dining room with stylized textiles
and interiors.
All other murals surrounding the property will be made
with other materials such as glass, marble, stone and wood. The spa
at Capricho will feature a hypnotic circular mural on the ceiling
of the indoor pool, exclusive facets in the treatment rooms as well
as organic signature uniforms for the employees, sustaining a soothing
and healing atmosphere.
Custo Barcelona’s virtuoso will be in the allure of the
salon hotel and restaurant. The lobby will encompass six masterful
murals, carpets, chairs, pillows, sofas and vibrant textiles. The
prime restaurant will follow with hand-crafted tablecloths. Four rooms
in the hotel will be fully conceptualized by Custo, from the artworks
throughout the suites to bathroom amenities, lush bedding, robes and
furniture pieces.
The most exciting opportunity of the Custo-Capricho accord
is for owners of the residences to choose a unique interior package,
making their unit a true designer home. Custo revealed, ‘To bring
my graphical perception into a world resort is a rewarding experience.
I would like to think that when collaborating with owners on their
residences, finding the integration between personal custom characteristics
and conceptual aspects, we will accomplish a balance.’ •
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‘We are designers of art. Our philosophy is
in the DNA of our formation since the company’s inception over 25
years ago. Comfort, function, mobility, shape, structure and tone
are elemental in how we devise our collections. We simply allow
our senses to play into a higher level of spirituality. We reinvent
the wheel by shifting our operetta of fashion’
—Custo Dalmau
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