Love fashion? Who doesn’t? Over the next 5 weeks, I’ll be walking Another-Day readers through some of international fashion’s biggest designers and labels. In Part 1 we took a look at American labels and designers, but now we’re ready to move on to another famous fashion destination. For the pure purpose of education, renewed knowledge or simply the impressive ability to throw a couple of names around in conversation, here is Part 2 (of 5) of Your A-Z Guide to Designers and Designer Labels.
It’s time for round two – this week we’re updating your Italian designer knowledge so that you can put your fancy fashion pants on at the drop of a hat. Yep, we thought it was nice of us too.
The A-Z (almost) of Italian Designers you should know.
A – Armani
You’ve heard of it, but you’ve always thought it a distant, unobtainable dream. One of “those” schmaltzy designer people that gets name-dropped regularly. To get you one step closer to the dream, Armani is a high fashion label that covers both men and women’s Italian power wear and yep, those famous, flawlessly fitting suits that very rich, well-dressed men wear. Clever old Giorgio Armani literally defined the modern working wardrobe; think Richard Gere in American Gigolo.
B – Bottega Veneta
Born all the way back in 1966, this label has since become synonymous with luxury and high-end design but has not developed without its hiccups. Near-bankruptcy and identity struggles took the brand down a notch or two. But thanks to the Gucci Group that bought it, and German designer Tomas Maier who took over as creative director, the label known for it’s hand-woven leather pieces got back in the game. Another thing to know about Bottega Veneta is that the reason you may not be familiar with their branding is because they’re pretty much against in-your-face labels and logos. We like that.
D – Dolce and Gabbana
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are the pair that make up this household name brand. Known for their corset dresses and leopard print, the pair are also famous for making the usually-cheap into chic and trashy into talked-about.
E – Etro
“Etro” just sounds so designer, doesn’t it? Well this family-run business is still as on-point as it was when it opened its doors as a textile house in the late 60s. Pieces are all about intricately-printed separates, fascinating color combos and uber-luxurious fabrics.
F – Fendi
The double F logo is pretty much at the forefront of Italian designer wear. Fendi has been producing it-bags for years. Those that people who can afford them make it their mission to own. Things you may not know about the brand? Karl Lagerfeld, yes the Karl Lagerfeld, created the famous emblem in the 60s and staged a fashion show, costing $10 million on the Great Wall of China. Who says fashion isn’t about squandering lumps of money in the name of vanity?
G – Giambattista Valli
A relatively new kid on the block, this guy already has a serious cult following. He likes to balance sharp, architectural lines with sexy ruffles, bows and other kinds of super feminine decoration. He does bold and experimental. Get to know him, and practice saying his name.
I – Iceberg
Italian knitwear specialists! Sweaters are their important business. That’s all you really need to know.
J – Jil Sander
With a streamlined and minimalist aesthetic, Jil Sander helped to popularize this look in the 90s. Serious and austere suits, coats and trousers line the runway each season and are quickly lapped up as soon as pieces hit shelves. The label demonstrates how flashiness and extravagance don’t always go hand-in-hand with style.
K – Krizia
Another luxury label that celebrates Italian design heritage – as if we haven’t heard of one of those before. Designer Mariuccia Mandelli plays with contrasts and contradictions in her much-loved work.
L – Luisa Beccaria
Luisa Beccaria consistently shows soft and feminine ready-to-wear dresses that celebrities go gaga for.
M – Marni
Consuelo Castiglioni! The goddess of eye-seducing graphic prints (that the cool can’t get enough of) is a genius at making the art teacher look elegant and anything but hippie.
N – No.21
No. 21 belongs to designer Alessandro Dell’Acqua, who launched the collection in 2010 as a means to get back into the fashion scene. Being only two-years-old, the clothing collection is contemporary, fun and young with high hemlines and towering platforms. With a name that sounds like a fragrance or a great Italian love song, it’s definitely one to add to the list.
P – Prada
Yep, this is the Prada that the devil supposedly wears. You know it but do you actually know know it? Founded by Mario Prada, the Italian leather company was then taken over in 1978 by Miuccia Prada, who quickly turned it into a women’s ready-to-wear line. She turned the concept of luxury on its head when her simple Nylon backpacks got her a massive cult following. She also started menswear and Prada’s little sister line Miu Miu. A fashion genius if ever there was one.
R – Roberto Cavalli
When you think of Italian fashion designers, yachts, half-naked, bronzed models and oversized sunglasses come to mind. Roberto Cavalli is exactly this. This stereotypical extravagance is what this label is about: animal prints, gold and exotic everything make up the womenswear, menswear, and recently launched nightclub. He is pretty much that creepy old man who opens his shirt down to his navel, still clubs and always has a hot model lady on his arm. You are allowed to be jealous.
S – Sportmax
No, this isn’t a fancy takkie brand. And no, Sportmax doesn’t do tennis racquets either. It’s the younger, cheaper, easier-to-wear offshoot brand that’s housed under the same company as Maxmara.
T – Trussardi
The story of Trussardi is a fashion soap opera drama. In a nutshell, the company started by making gloves and eventually blossomed into a leather goods, accessories as well as a mens and womenswear brand. Trussardi flourished under the leadership of the founder’s grandson, Nicola, who inherited the company after the death of his father and brother. He too was killed in a car accident and four years later, so was his son, in the exact same circumstances. The mind boggles. Good news is, the label lives on and continues to produce luxury pieces that boast old-school workmanship and true quality. The end.
V – Versace
Remember that safety pin dress that Liz Hurley wore to the Oscars way back when? Well, that’s Versace. This label is not for the demure and conservative. In fact, give us a healthy dollop of sex, skin and scandal. And the creators? After Gianni Versace’s passing, sister and scary orange-tinted skeleton Donatella took over and has successfully maintained the brand’s extravagance since.
And that’s it for the Italians. Come back next week for Part 3.
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