INPERSON
Pontine Paus
Originally from Oslo, bag designer Pontine Paus honed her skills in Milan, where she still employs a team of artisan craftsmen to make up her vibrantly coloured handbags. Trained at the Domus Academy, Pontine’s designs combine Norwegian simplicity with a Milanese sense of style
01 Where did you live in Milan?
I always lived in the Brera area; the old town of Milan.
02 Why did you choose to live there?
I chose it because I think it’s the most charming part of town. All the streets are narrow, and some are cobbled, too. Beautiful flowers drape down from people’s balconies. The architecture is extremely romantic and it has a wonderful village-like feel.
It was once known as the area where artists and poets lived. So as you can imagine, I loved it.
03 You originally intended to design furniture or architecture. What’s your favourite building in Milan?
My favourite is Il Cimitero Monumentale di Milano, which opened in 1866 and was designed by Carlo Maciachini. It’s an enormous cemetery; not normally my favourite spot, but in this case the architecture is so perfectly proportioned. It’s absolutely stunning.
04 Where would you buy furniture?
As Milan is the capital of design, there are so many options. My all-time favourite, though, is Milan’s Salone Del Mobile (cosmit.it), the furniture fair that takes place every spring.
The whole city comes alive, with everybody presenting their latest furniture. It’s fantastic, especially for kitchens and bathrooms.
Otherwise, Dilmos (Piazza San Marco 1) represents some interesting furniture designers, such as Gaetano Pesce. The pieces sold here are more like art than furniture. For lamps or light sculpture, go to Jacopo Foggini (Via Sannio 24) or Edra (Via Ciovassino 3).
05 You often go back to Milan. What do you miss most about the city?
The food, the people and their sense of aesthetics.
06 Where’s the best place in Milan to shop for bags?
There are many, but I always find Banner (Via Sant Andrea 8a) has an eclectic selection.
07 What advice would you give to someone who wanted to invest in a really great bag?
I always say buy something you love. If you find something in a colour you love and you can fit all the things you want to carry in it, go for it.
08 Apart from your own, whose bags do you like to wear?
I’m afraid I’m still looking for a bag that’s not my own that I’d want to wear.
09 If money were no object, where would you shop for an outfit?
There are so many great designers out there at the moment; I guess it would really depend on what type of outfit I was looking for. Having said that, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and Lanvin would be at the top of my list.
10 Where’s the best place to buy clothes if you’re shopping on a budget?
My mother’s old wardrobe. Either that or Portobello Road in London. Zara (www.zara.com) can be great, too.
11 You are based in London now. How does the sense of style of Milanese women compare to that of Londoners?
They’re very different. In Milan, there is a clear uniform – it’s much more sophisticated. In London, there are so many styles, it’s almost as if anything goes. Overall, I’d say London is much more casual and street-influenced.
12 Where did you get the inspiration for your new collections?
I draw my inspiration from life, in the way that an artist draws on their own experiences.
13 Where’s your favourite restaurant in Milan?
It has to be Quattrocento (Via Campazzino, tel. +39 02 8951 7771, www.4cento.com). It’s on the outskirts of town, but is well worth the trip.
14 Where’s the best place to soak up culture?
I love going to see The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2). Another great spot is the Pinacoteca di Brera (Via Brera 28), which has an extensive collection of important Italian paintings.
15 Where in Milan would you go for cocktails?
I love going to Bar Jamaica (Via Brera
32). It has real character and a wonderful outdoor terrace. For something more glam, I love going to the Bulgari Hotel (Via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7/b, tel. +39 02 805 8051) or the Sheraton Diana Majestic (Viale Piave 42, tel. +39 02 20581). Both have great aperitivi.
16 Where would you go in Milan to relax and get away from it all?
I’d go for a spa treatment at my gym, the Caroli Health Club (Via Senato 11).
17 Where would you go in Milan to see a beautiful view?
I would climb to the top of the Duomo (Piazza del Duomo). When you see Milan from above, everything looks green because most of the houses have some kind of roof garden. I was quite surprised when I saw that for the first time.
18 What advice would you give to people visiting Milan for a weekend?
I’d tell them to indulge in a bit of shopping. Or head to the mountains because they’re so close.
19 What other European destinations do you like to visit and why?
I love going skiing in the Alps. And I love going back to my hometown, Oslo.
20 What’s your philosophy or motto for life?
Live and be yourself.
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