“Meet the Makers” is our portrait series celebrating the Italian creators and artisans behind Irene Forte Skincare, and those Irene admires for their creativity, precision, and shared devotion to craftsmanship. These makers inspire us with their commitment to beauty, intention, and detail.
Assia Pallavicino is a decorative painter known for her refined, nature-driven aesthetic. Trained at the prestigious Van Der Kelen Logelain Institute in Brussels, she specialises in traditional painting techniques - from marble and wood imitations to gilding and botanical motifs. Her work brings a sense of timelessness and quiet elegance to private homes and hotels across Europe, always rooted in a deep sensitivity to place and detail.
For Irene Forte Skincare, Assia has created something uniquely special: a limited-edition sarong inspired by the ease and beauty of Sicilian summers. It’s a wearable work of art - thoughtfully crafted, and a true reflection of her artistry and our shared love of nature.
Inside Assia’s World
A keepsake you hold dear?
I have a collection of cotton edelweiss-print handkerchiefs I use as bandanas on-site.
Your tool of choice?
Paintbrushes, always.
What is your biggest source of inspiration?
Being a decorative painter, my studio is wherever the worksite takes me. Homes, and the people who live in them, are my biggest source of inspiration.
A corner of your space you love most?
A sketch of my grandmother’s bedroom in Florence by Colefax and Fowler.
What’s on your bookshelf right now?
I’ve started doing some interior design consultancy recently, so I’m reading a lot of Cabana, World of Interiors, and How to Spend It.
A favorite hidden spot in Italy?
The place that holds the most meaning to me is Roccamare, a pine forest by the sea in Maremma. I spent much of my childhood there and learned more about color and light in that landscape than anywhere else in the world.
A maker or artist you admire?
I really admire Giovina Carabba and her Tapistelar Rugs, true works of art crafted from natural fibers and copper in Colombia. Another favorite is Tom Richards, an incredible portrait painter based in Florence.
A daily ritual you return to?
My favorite ritual is cooking dinner for me and my boyfriend. No matter how tired I am, the day always feels better when I can cook while drinking a glass of wine.
Your Skincare Favorite?
I’m a devoted Irene Forte Skincare fan, and swear by the Hibiscus Night Cream. It’s luxurious and feels like part of a ritual. I never travel without it.
