Autumn In Rome with Hox Friend Livia Lazzari

Rome changes pace in autumn. The light gets warmer and softer, leaves along the Lungotevere turn yellow and the city begins to feel quieter, more intimate and made for taking slowly. For Roman jewellery designer Livia Lazzari, founder of Voodoo Jewels and a Hox Friend, the perfect autumn Sunday is a mix of the things she loves most: hunting for vintage treasures at Porta Portese, stopping at The Hoxton for brunch, then heading to GNAM (National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art) for an afternoon of art. But her Rome stretches far beyond one perfect day, into neighbourhood rituals, unexpected views, old-school pastry shops, wine bars and places tied to memories that go all the way back to childhood. We caught up with Livia to find out where she goes, what she notices and the places she thinks are worth slowing down for.

FOLLOW THE LIGHT

Where is the light at its most beautiful?

There’s a spot on the Gianicolo terrace, on the side facing away from the city, where at sunset the sun looks enormous and incredibly close. It’s one of those moments that feels almost unreal, very simple, but incredibly intense.

And somewhere simply to sit and take Rome in?

There are two spots I’d choose. One is on the Palatine Hill, at the top of the archaeological park, where you can lie down on the grass and look out over Ancient Rome. The other is Tiber Island, where you can stretch out by the river, catch some sun and almost forget you’re in the centre of Rome.

MONTI, AT HOME

Why did Monti feel like the right home for Voodoo?

We’ve always felt that Monti was the perfect place for Voodoo because it has this rare mix of authentic Roman character and a fresh, contemporary energy. It’s a neighbourhood where you still find independent designers, small boutiques and emerging creative projects rather than the usual chain stores. Via Panisperna, in particular, has a very distinctive charm. It feels iconic, but still intimate and slightly hidden away.

How has Rome shaped the way you create?

Rome has always been deeply connected to Voodoo, not only because it’s where the brand was born, but because I think the city has shaped the way I approach creativity. What I’ve always loved about Rome, especially when I think about fashion, is that trends don’t really exist here in the same way they might in Milan. Romans are quite spontaneous, instinctive and free in the way they dress and express themselves, and I think that gives creativity much more space to grow. In a way, Voodoo comes from that same freedom. We love vintage jewellery, old techniques and the history that surrounds us, but we mix them with bold shapes, unusual processes and a very contemporary attitude. Rome itself works in a similar way: ancient and chaotic, monumental and imperfect, elegant and completely spontaneous at the same time.

APERITIVO, THE ROMAN WAY

Where does your perfect aperitivo happen?

Right downstairs from my place there’s La Mescita, a lovely little wine bar. Otherwise, when I’m in the centre, I love Il Vinaietto, very rustic, very no-frills, and unmistakably Roman. For me, though, what really makes an aperitivo worthy of the name is the light in Rome at the end of the day: soft, warm and welcoming. And one thing is absolutely essential: a strip of pizza bianca scrocchiarella to go with your glass of wine.

Make a slow Roman weekend of it at The Hoxton, Rome, with brunch at Elio and plenty of time to explore Livia’s favourite corners of the city. Rome is best enjoyed slowly. With Flexy Time, arrive early or leave late and give yourself a little more time for long lunches, neighbourhood wanders, golden-hour walks and everything in between.