A ‘Brilliant’ bird: the story behind Hotel il Pellicano’s iconic logo
Marie-Louise Sciò shares the story behind Hotel Il Pellicano’s iconic, world-renowned logo.
When it comes to creativity and ingenuity in prestige branding, Italy has no shortage of intriguing logos, each with their own stories of provenance and heritage. And animals, you say? Our new ISSIMO Il Pellicano Cashmere Blanket showcases the iconic Il Pellicano logo on a grand scale, inspiring us to explore the origins of its design and its legacy, along with a few other famous animals featured on Italian brand logos that have captivated the world.
The ‘essential and brilliant’ Hotel Il Pellicano logo
Who better to ask about the hero bird on Hotel Il Pellicano’s logo than ISSIMO’s ultimate muse Marie-Louise. We sat down for a cup of tea and a chat about when and how the logo was created, its enduring legacy, and why it captures the essence of Italian Dolce Vita that defines the Pellicano universe.
“The logo was created when Hotel Il Pellicano first opened around 1965, if not before. It was designed by the 14-year old daughter of Michael Graham and Patsy Daszel. Graham was a British RAF aviator and Daszel was an American socialite. They met in the 50s, fell in love, travelled the world, and eventually opened a ‘hidden gem’ hotel in Tuscany,” she tells ISSIMO.
“The name ‘Il Pellicano’ was inspired by Pelican Point, the place where the couple first met in California, and the design of the logo soon followed the naming of the property,” she says.
Evoking what Marie-Louise calls the “elegant, essential and timeless” essence of Hotel Il Pellicano, the logo depicts a minimalistic, yet unforgettable silhouette of a Pelican. The bird is designed with one sleek, continuous solid line that twists and turns to form the outline of its body, head and giant beak. Regardless of whether you spot the logo on a sweatshirt, a classic keyring, or indeed, an artisanal Cashmere blanket, it’s instantly recognisable. In fact, as Marie Louise and hotel staff confirm, the logo is always a talking point among guests who are fascinated by its visually captivating design that can be applied to almost any product or design context. So where will our friend ‘Pelli’ pop up next?
“There is definitely a plan to design more ISSIMO products that highlight the logo, as is the case with our new 100% Cashmere blanket. I cannot say exactly what these products are right now but watch this space!” Marie Louise says.
Other flying and fancy friends
Of course, our dear Pelli isn’t the only iconic animal to take centre stage in the realm of premium and heritage Italian branding. The eagle, another ‘feathered’ friend, is depicted in a formation of horizontal stripes on Emporio Armani’s brand logo, which was first released upon the brand’s inception in 1975. The eagle symbolises a regal sense of lightness, ease and style associated with the Emporio Armani brand.
And if it’s a fast, shiny Italian car we’re talking about, there’s a good chance its logo will feature some kind of symbolic animal. The golden bull on Lamborghini’s logo, for example, references the personal history of the company’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini. Born under the Taurus zodiac sign, he took much inspiration from the bull’s power, tenacity and spirit of determination, incorporating it into the logo as a key symbolic element.
If you’re not familiar with the Cavallino Rampante, you’ve definitely come across the Prancing Horse before, right? Now a worldwide phenomenon, Ferrari’s logo was originally designed and developed by a man called Francesco Baracca, who, in 1929, gave Enzo Ferrari permission to use the image of the black horse rearing on its hind legs on his vehicles. It’s believed that Baracca’s wife, Countess Paolina Baracca, encouraged Enzo Ferrari to paint the horse on his vehicles as a sign of good luck!
Introducing the ISSIMO Il Pellicano Cashmere blanket
Get up close and personal with our favourite bird in your own home. Our 100% Cashmere Blanket is printed with Hotel Il Pellicano’s logo on the front and back, crafted in Italy by ISSIMO artisans. It’s the perfect snuggling companion for those wintery days by the fire, while also adding a touch of tonal elegance to any room, especially when used as a
bedspread or throw.
