A Milanese legacy in green - “Pasticceria Marchesi: Savoring the Spirit of Milan” by Julia Buckley (2024)

Dear readers, when spring arrives, pastel tones often dominate the fashion palette alongside timeless neutrals. Yet, there is another color that harmonizes beautifully with the season — green. I was never particularly fond of this hue until recent years when I chose a soothing forest green for the packaging of my latest perfume. Since then, I have developed a deep affection for the color, from the rich emerald shades of winter to the refreshing pistachio and pastel mints of spring, green has an undeniable magnetic charm that continues to draw me in. What appeals to me most is how it evokes the refined world of the legendary Milanese patisserie and café, Pasticceria Marchesi. Their signature green, gracing everything from their interiors and packaging to their elegant book, titled “Pasticceria Marchesi: Savoring the Spirit of Milan”, it has become instantly recognizable. I had been longing for this beautiful coffee table book for ages and recently found a pre‑owned copy that felt like a treasure in itself. Today, let’s take a closer look at this luxurious publication and travel back in time to experience the timeless elegance of this Milanese institution, along with a glimpse of the city’s bygone art of living.

Published by Assouline in 2024 to mark the 200th anniversary of Pasticceria Marchesi, the book is written by Julia Buckley, a journalist and author specializing in Italian culture, with a foreword by Angelo Marchesi, a descendant of the founding family. This exquisite edition celebrates the enduring legacy and stylish evolution of one of Milan’s most beloved rendezvous points, especially since its acquisition by the Prada Group in 2014. The presentation itself is irresistible: a lime‑green slipcase embossed with the golden façade of the pastry shop, and a cover printed in the brand’s iconic “eau de nil” tone adorned with delicate floral embroidery, a motif which can be found inside the patisserie’s Milan boutique. These thoughtful design details make the book an instant collectible and a statement piece for any coffee table.

Founded in 1824 on Via Santa Maria alla Porta, Pasticceria Marchesi began as a humble family‑run pastry shop revered for its handcrafted pastries, especially the panettone, and traditional confections made following cherished family recipes refined through generations. Over the years, it earned a steadfast reputation among style‑savvy Milanese for quality, craftsmanship, and discretion. When Angelo Marchesi took the helm and introduced one of Milan’s earliest espresso machines, the pastry shop naturally evolved into a refined café, and it became a sophisticated meeting place where Milan’s fashionable crowd gathered to enjoy breakfast, espresso, and signature delicacies such as Torta Sbrisolona and Amor Polenta, honoring the flavors of Northern Italy and embodying Milan’s innate elegance and art of living.

Through its richly illustrated chapters, the book traces the evolution of this legendary patisserie, from archival photographs of the original 19th‑century shop on Via Santa Maria alla Porta and snapshots of early Milanese life to the delicious and elegantly made pastries under the artistic direction of Diego Crosara, Marchesi 1824’s pastry art director. Readers will find close‑ups of its most iconic creations — cakes, chocolates, panettone — as well as glimpses of its modern and chic interiors across Milan and London. For those with an eye for tasteful design and visual merchandising, this book also highlights Marchesi’s enchanting window displays and its pastel‑toned packaging — mint green, powder blue, blush pink, and soft yellow — finished with a touch of gold and elegant ribboning. Each box embodies refined Milanese minimalism: luxurious, discreet, and effortlessly stylish.

Even before having a chance to visit the flagship café in person, this magnificent volume offers a sensory journey through taste, beauty, and history. It captures the essence of Pasticceria Marchesi, its enduring charm, profound craftsmanship, and its subtle bridge between haute gastronomy, high fashion, and the Milanese art of living. After all, green is not only the color of spring, it is also the color of refinement, timeless sophistication, and Milanese chic.