Couture by LaFaenza

Collection Summary

Couture by LaFaenza is an Italian color-body porcelain collection from LaFaenza, a brand of Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola. LaFaenza presents Couture as a curated “look book” for clients drawn to refined, iconic classicism. The collection brings together four coordinated series: Aesthetica (CAM), Zeus (A), Loira (A and B) and Vis (A and W). Most pieces are 6.5 mm thick, in sizes from 12″ x 24″ up to 48″ x 110″ panels, with mosaics and 20 mm outdoor pavers in select series. Couture’s distinguishing idea is the balance between veined marble-look surfaces and quiet solid color within one specification.

Design & Aesthetic

LaFaenza describes Couture as an elegant distillate in which color and aesthetics are held in creative balance. Aesthetica, in LaFaenza’s words, reinterprets the classic elegance of marble with unexpected shades. Vis supplies the counterpoint: LaFaenza describes it as capturing the character of plaster and cement alongside the neutrality of solid color.

The manufacturer’s installations show how the series are meant to work together. Vis walls sit over Loira floors, Loira walls over Vis floors, and Zeus is used wall-to-floor as a single continuous surface. Aesthetica CAM panels appear on walls above Loira floors. The approach lets a designer place pattern and movement where they matter most while keeping the rest of the room calm. Shade variation is rated V2.

Material & Craftsmanship

Couture is color-body porcelain stoneware with rectified, monocaliber edges, classified under UNI EN 14411 (ISO 13006) group BIa. Average water absorption is below 0.1%. The 6.5 mm body allows 48″ x 110″ panels for walls and floors, while 20 mm pieces in Loira and Vis are produced for exterior paving.

Design Applications

Tile X Design lists Couture for floors, walls, outdoor areas and shower floors. LaFaenza lists residential, light commercial, retail and outdoor uses.

• Bathrooms: 48″ x 110″ marble-look panels on walls with a Vis or Loira floor limit grout lines in a wet room.
• Feature walls and fireplace surrounds: Aesthetica CAM or Zeus panels give a single uninterrupted veined surface.
• Floor-to-wall continuity: Zeus is offered in 24″ x 48″, 36″ x 36″, 48″ x 48″ and 48″ x 110″, so one surface can wrap floor and wall.
• Terraces and patios: 20 mm Loira (24″ x 24″, 36″ x 36″) and Vis (36″ x 36″) pieces carry the interior palette outside.
• Detail areas: 12″ x 12″ mosaic sheets in Aesthetica CAM and Vis suit niches, shower floors and small-scale surfaces, subject to slip verification.

Specifying Couture

• Formats differ by series. Aesthetica CAM is limited to 48″ x 110″, 48″ x 48″, 24″ x 48″ and mosaic. Vis is the only series with 12″ x 24″. Check the series before committing to a size.
• Outdoor pieces are limited to 20 mm Loira (24″ x 24″, 36″ x 36″) and Vis (36″ x 36″), rated R11.
• Lappato surfaces: LaFaenza recommends its honed and polished lappato surfaces for walls, residential floors, and floors not directly connected to the outdoors or protected by mats. Most Aesthetica, Zeus and Loira items are listed in lappato versions.
• Slip data is published only for Loira (20 mm) and Vis. Confirm the slip rating of any other floor item, especially in wet areas.
• Panel logistics: 48″ x 110″ panels ship one per box; products are sold per piece in full boxes only.
• Lead time: Special order from Europe, typically 10–16 weeks; confirm current timing with your Tile X Design representative.

Product Specifications

LaFaenza technical data for color-body porcelain (values referred to the 60 x 60 cm size):

• Water absorption (ISO 10545-3): < 0.1%
• Flexural resistance (ISO 10545-4): > 45 N/mm²
• Breaking strength: 1800 N at 6.5 mm; 3000 N at 10 mm; 13000 N at 20 mm
• Deep abrasion resistance (ISO 10545-6): < 140 mm³
• Linear thermal expansion (ISO 10545-8): ≤ 7×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹
• Thermal shock resistance (ISO 10545-9): Resistant
• Frost resistance (ISO 10545-12): Resistant
• Household chemicals and pool cleansers (ISO 10545-13): min. B
• Acids and low-concentration alkalis: from LA, LB to LC
• Stain resistance (GL): min. 3
• Shade variation: V2
• Vis, natural (6.5 mm): R10, A, DCOF > 0.42
• Vis AS (20 mm): R11, B+C, DCOF > 0.42
• Loira AS (20 mm): R11, B+C, DCOF > 0.42

Frequently Asked Questions

How should veined and solid surfaces be combined in a Couture space?

LaFaenza’s own schemes put one patterned surface against one quiet one, such as Vis walls with a Loira floor or Aesthetica CAM walls with Loira underfoot. Zeus can also be used on both floor and wall for a single continuous look.

Which Couture pieces can be used outdoors?

The 20 mm Loira 24″ x 24″ and 36″ x 36″ pieces and the 20 mm Vis 36″ x 36″ piece are made for exterior paving and rated R11. The 6.5 mm items are not the outdoor paving option.

Is a polished Couture surface appropriate for a kitchen floor?

In a home, yes, provided the floor does not open directly to the outdoors or has entrance mats; that is LaFaenza’s guidance for its lappato surfaces. For heavier traffic or wet conditions, look at the natural-finish Vis with its published R10 rating.

Which Couture series is best suited to a shower floor?

Vis is the only Couture series with published slip data for its 6.5 mm natural finish (R10, DCOF > 0.42). Confirm the rating of any other item before specifying it for a wet floor.