We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luciana Barilari Bullentini. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luciana below.
Luciana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
It was a casual twist of fate, a moment in time where everything aligned seamlessly, and life took an unexpected turn. The story of VIVACE, a brand with roots deep in the heart of Brazil, began like a long-lost dream that had found its way back into reality. To recap, VIVACE had been conceived as a Fashion Maison, but like many dreams, it had been temporarily shelved. Life’s current had swept me, once a Fashion Designer, into the realm of Textile Design. This path, unexpected yet not unappreciated, ultimately led me to a remarkable 14-year journey through the world of Automotive Color & Materials Design.
Living abroad had been a hallmark of those years, collecting experiences that spanned the globe. Each new place visited, each culture encountered, added a layer to the colorful mosaic of life and grew my network.
Then, as if guided by a force beyond comprehension, the stage was set for a truly remarkable turn of events. It was a evening of celebration, laughter, and clinking champagne glasses among friends, old and new. Among the party, a tap on my shoulder interrupted the lively chatter. Turning around, I was met with the gaze of an intriguing individual. She introduced herself as Aleksandra Ilic Bjelica, known affectionately as BelA, a renowned and intuitive large-scale art painter from Serbia.
BelA, with an air of spontaneity that matched the evening’s spirit, shared her intention. She was preparing to bid farewell to Detroit, her artistic haven, and she had no desire to burden herself with her beloved paintings during her journey. Instead, she had heard whispers of my extensive social connections, and with a gracious smile, she requested a favor – she asked if I could help her find new homes for her cherished creations. It was the moment that would change the course of our lives forever.
In less than two months, a whirlwind of activity followed. The dream of an art exhibition was brought to life. Connections were forged, venues secured, partnerships formed, and volunteers rallied. I found myself a new passion, and embarked on a mission to share Bela’s artistic vision with the world. Invitations, meticulously crafted, were sent out to a fresh mailing list, the stage was set for a night of enchantment, situated by the waters that mirrored the magic of the moment.
The day has come, guests arrived in the golden tones of the sunset and, attracted by the allure of BelA’s Art and the great atmosphere, the silent auction took place. As the night progressed, it became evident that destiny had indeed played its part. We had a sold-out night, all art pieces found new homes, resonating with art lovers who saw in BelA’s creations a reflection of their own dreams and desires. Suddenly it was clear to me that this was not just an art exhibition; it was a manifestation of destiny, a reminder that life’s journey often leads us to the right place, at the right time, with the right people.
VIVACE had found its new purpose, woven into the world of art and creativity, and everything was reborn with a tap on the shoulder, a call for help and letting the power of connections unexpectedly do the rest.
Luciana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In the wake of that unforgettable and successful art exhibition, the universe seemed to conspire in my favor. Artists began to gravitate towards me, and new opportunities started to arise. Either artists that I personally knew and was already a big fan, like Leonardo Dolfini (an internationally acclaimed watercolor painter), or while I was travelling to Brazil on vacation, on art-related events in Miami or by recommendation, so I realized that it was time to revive VIVACE, but this time, it would reborn as something far more than a fashion brand. It would become a House of Creators. This way, VIVACE’s mission extended beyond the mere appreciation of art. It became a beacon of art education, an advocate for investment in the creative world, a place dedicated to helping collectors find hidden gems, a curation of collections that would tell stories, and a name that would orchestrate unforgettable “Art Parties” in an array of unique venues. Through partnerships, VIVACE’s expertise expanded to encompass interior design services and serving as a bridge, connecting professionals from all walks of life – Fashion designers seeking bespoke patterns for their collections, Musicians searching for a visual representation of their melodies and lyrics, commissioning art that would dance according to their rhythm, supporting the community by spotlighting local artists and worthy causes. providing material to architecture and interior design studios seeking a portfolio of inspiration to fuel their creative visions, and supporting the real estate market, where VIVACE Co. stood as a steadfast supporter of staging companies, transforming houses into homes with carefully selected pieces of art.
Above all, we want to inspire. The message is clear: there is no excuse not to embrace art in one’s life. For those who can not yet afford an original masterpiece, we can offer authentic replicas, allowing everyone to welcome the magic of art into their daily existence. With pieces spanning from the humblest $10 to opulent six figures, we want to redefine luxury – it’s not about the price, it is the value of happiness and a celebration of precious time.
At VIVACE Co. life is lived in vivid colors. Art is not a distant concept, but an ever-present force that illuminates the soul. The house of creators is more than a brand, it is a testament to the limitless power of passion, creativity and connection – a place where dreams and reality converge to create a world where art is not just appreciated, it is lived, breathed and enjoyed every day.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When I held the first Exhibition, I was still part of the corporate life, working long shifts and most of the time after hours at one of the big three OEMs in Detroit auto industry, spending most of my life inside a Studio and not seeing the daylight. I believe many can relate here.. and its ok, I don’t regret it, it was part of my journey and I’m very grateful, but it was a path that was making me sick, I was almost having a nervous breakdown, so I decided to take a sabbatical time, I had so many plans: studying new things, traveling to places I’ve never been, visiting friends I hadn’t seen for a long time, being close to family in Brazil… well, then the Pandemic came and I managed to accomplish only the first item of my list. . And once again I noticed that Art played a crucial role during this unknown phase – the entire world was locked indoors and to maintain a minimum of sanity, Art was the answer in many ways. People developed craft skills they didn’t know they had, started playing instruments on their balconies, started dancing by following an online instructor… so many creative ways to use their energy. At that point I was 100% sure that I had to do something related to Art, I had to raise this flag and promote the benefits of letting Art integrate people’s lives.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I really love the quote “Design is not a profession, is a behavior” and I truly believe that is what made the difference to build my reputation. I’m not fake, I live and breathe Art from the moment I wake-up, the outfit I decide to use that day, the playlist that will inspire me at that moment, the places I frequently go, cute little spots I find when travelling, to “silly” conversations when gathering with friends. Notice that I’m not even touching the fact of being an Art Collector myself, I’m talking about ordinary things. It’s the POV – Art & Design follows me everywhere…or is it the other way around? ;) Anyway, when this comes from the heart, it is inevitable that people will notice and make the connections. So it starts by asking your opinion, since you have a good aesthetic sense, then you are asked for advice, introduced to a new circle of creators and then you start becoming a reference and resource. That’s exactly how Mariana Gadelha, an Architect and Artist, with awards in both areas, pieces exhibited at Art Basel Miami, clients in France, Brazil and US to mention a few, was introduced to me and consequently joined VIVACE Co. house. Same I could say about the sweet helena dal, personality as humble as her signature (lower case), but giant in creativity and talent – her Contemporary Naive work is well known in Italy, Belgium, Brazil and now, US thought VCo. Most recently I was introduced to Andreia Tarelow, an incredible Photographer that has a very unique and sensitive work, we instantly connected and now her Urban Cities around the World and Nature Collections are conquering Michigan. Media, Social Media, Press, Marketing… All of these are great tools and absolutely positive for the business, but embodying what you are trying to communicate, is the most important.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vivace-company.com
- Instagram: @vivace.company
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VivaceCom
Image Credits
Luciana Barilari Bullentini personal archive