Meet the Makers: Inside Irene Forte's World

“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. Each maker inspires us through their commitment to beauty, intention, and detail.

This week, we return to where it all began: with our founder, Irene Forte. Irene shares the small details that reflect her aesthetic, personality, and sources of inspiration.

Inside Irene’s World

1. A tool or material you can’t live without?

My skincare lab notebook - it’s where ideas for new formulations begin, and where I track the evolution of every texture, scent, and ingredient story.

2. Where do you feel most inspired?

Verdura Resort in Sicily. It’s where many of our ingredients are grown - home to our organic farm - and where the spirit of the brand truly comes to life. It’s a place that grounds and energizes me.

About 25 years ago, I flew to the site that would become Verdura. Back then, it was little more than wilderness. But with a lot of grit and determination, my father brought it to life. Soon after it opened, I came to work there - and I fell in love with both the place and Sicily itself.

So much of my brand is inspired by Verdura. The colors of the land informed our packaging. The Mediterranean diet shaped our ingredient choices. And the concept of skin longevity - rooted in a slower, richer way of living - sits at the heart of our brand promise.

3. Your favorite piece of décor?

Two pieces come to mind. My Ransom & Dunn sofa - it sits in my living room in the Irene Forte Skincare green, bringing color and character to the space. And a striking marble table by Alice Gyllenkrok and James Elliott - the first object ever made from this particular stone, as the quarry was opened for the first time in 2023.

4. A favorite book or magazine?

I love revisiting the Italian literature I studied at university - from Il Gattopardo by Lampedusa to La Storia by Elsa Morante.

5. A hidden place that holds meaning?

Caltabellotta. It’s a small hilltop town in Sicily that holds deep personal meaning for me. It’s where I got married, and where I’ve been made an honorary citizen.

What’s even more remarkable is that Caltabellotta is now being recognised by longevity researchers as an emerging Blue Zone. There’s something truly special about the way people live there - rooted in simplicity, community, and connection to the land. It’s a place that embodies the essence of long life and wellbeing, and it continues to inspire the philosophy behind my skincare.

6. A new maker or artist whose work you admire?

Truly all the makers highlighted in this series - keep an eye out for them.

7. Your daily ritual?

My skincare ritual is something I truly treasure. It’s a moment of calm in my day - whether I’m massaging in our Rose Body Oil after a shower, which supports lymphatic drainage thanks to Ximenynic Acid, or applying our Hibiscus Night Cream before bed, powered by the wrinkle-smoothing neuropeptide Myoxinol™.