Copyright © 2025 Motivate Media Group. All rights reserved.
identity interviews the team behind this avant garde marble brand that debuted at Downtown Design 2024
Debuting at Downtown Design 2024, identity hosted an interview with the Founder of Fioravante Alessio Jovanovic, Creative Director Carolina Ferraro and the designer of their current collection VIA – Shay Levi.
While recognising that most brands often worked with prominent product designers, Jovanovic wanted his brand Fioravante to focus on upcoming designers. “Our philosophy is to give the opportunity to young, talented designers to express themselves. What we want to achieve is that the clients will judge and appreciate our products for the beauty and materials, not just the name.”
The name Fioravante carries a deep personal resonance for Jovanovic. “It’s the name of my grandfather, a self-made man who built a successful career from nothing,” Jovanovic shared. “His story of perseverance and ambition is what I want for our brand—to create something enduring, rooted in craftsmanship, and destined to flourish.”
For the designer Shay Levi, the challenge lay in presenting marble—an inherently heavy and classical material—in a way that feels light, functional, and modern. “The biggest challenge was making the marble seem less heavy than it is,” Levi explained. “And, equally, ensuring that all our furniture remains clean, functional, and free of visible screws or supports. This seamless design approach was not easy; but it was essential for achieving the aesthetic we envisioned.”
Levi highlighted the unique fusion of materials in Fioravante’s collection, particularly the interplay of marble with glass. The innovative designs not only transform how marble is perceived, but also create striking, multi-dimensional forms that are both contemporary and timeless.
You can watch the video below:
Subscribe to our Youtube channel.
Read more features here.
Five prominent designers have been selected to judge this year's milestone 11th annual identity Design Awards
In honour of Emirati Women’s Day, we celebrate the visionary Emirati women in the industry that are pushing boundaries
Casa Cazaux designed by Jordana Maisie Design Studio was inspired by Slim Aarons photography of post WWII Italian high society and Mediterranean-inspired coastal architecture
A Collection Where Flow Meets Form
Here's a breakdown of the 21 categories we have for this year's identity Design Awards.
How Vedra, a Boutique Project Development Consultancy is Redefining Development in the UAE
Here's how you can become a landlord and live in your property at the same time.
Lulie Fisher Design Studio Completes a Penthouse in the Intercontinental Dubai Marina
Designed by acclaimed studio Verhaal, KIRA is inspired by the Lunaria plant.
OBMI and Katara Hospitality breathe new life into a 1920s royal residence, balancing heritage and modern luxury on the eucalyptus-clad slopes of Tangiers, Morocco.
Japanese craft meets contemporary design at Kiyoshi designed by Mahsa Gholizadeh
The Design Residency programme 2025 also coincides with the Year of Handicrafts as designated by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture.