AT MILAN FASHION WEEK, SUSTAINABILITY AND ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP WERE FRONT AND CENTER. THESE EMERGING BRANDS STOOD OUT BY PERFECTLY MARRYING ITALIAN ARTISAN CRAFT WITH ETHICAL PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.
This Milan Fashion Week, a new wave of designers emerges, committed to sustainability and Italian craftsmanship. These brands harmoniously blend Italian design with a focus on ethical practices and environmental responsibility, distinguishing themselves in the dynamic fashion industry. As they showcased their latest collections, they reaffirmed that style and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.
DEFAÏENCE: BRIDGING FASHION AND ART
Founded by Nicola Bacchilega, Defaïence brings a unique perspective to the world of fashion, seamlessly blending contemporary style with time-honored tradition. Drawing inspiration from Bacchilega’s connection to his former environment, Defaïence breathes life into the legacy of Italian craftsmanship and ceramic artistry. The brand specializes in avant-garde ready-to-wear apparel and accessories, offering a fresh take on classic designs.
At the core of Defaïence’s ethos lies a dedication to timeless design blending craftsmanship with innovation. Their commitment extends beyond ready-to-wear apparel to include a striking jewelry line, showcasing their passion for artistic expression and sustainability. Defaïence’s jewelry, from fine pieces to 3D printed creations, epitomizes a genderless aesthetic, meticulously crafted with ceramic artistry techniques. Each piece is a harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity, bearing the hallmark of individuality and sustainability.
SAMANTA VIRGINIO: STYLISH SUSTAINABILITY
Samanta Virginio emerges as a distinctive women’s ready-to-wear brand, founded in 2023 by CSM graduate Samanta Virginio. Drawing inspiration from her dual Italian-American heritage, as well as nature, city life, and pop culture, Virginio’s collections encapsulate a fusion of influences from diverse realms. Collaborating with carefully selected Italian manufacturers and craftsmen committed to sustainable practices, Virginio’s designs exude elegance with an environmentally conscious ethos. Her latest collection defies convention by seamlessly blending knitwear with evening wear, erasing boundaries between daytime attire and party dresses. Utilizing cutting-edge machine knitting and crochet techniques, each piece embodies a unique representation of Virginio’s creative vision.
PĪFERI: TIMELESS ELEGANCE
Founded by Alfredo Piferi, Pīferi is challenging the perception of leather-free footwear. With a mission to change the industry’s approach to luxury shoes, Pīferi crafts timeless designs using innovative, bio-based, and recycled materials. By combining outstanding design with genuine ethics and sustainability practices, Pīferi is paving the way for a more environmentally friendly future in fashion.
ALBERTO CIASCHINI: EMBRACING ELEGANCE IN ITALIAN FOOTWEAR DESIGN
Alberto Ciaschini, originating from Italy’s Marche region, brings a rich background in footwear design to Milan Fashion Week. Immersed in the creative atmosphere of Italy’s renowned footwear production districts from a young age, Ciaschini is known for infusing his designs with a hyper-symbolic dimension, where each shoe embodies dreams, emotions, and self-expression. Trained at Milan’s esteemed Istituto Marangoni Fashion School, he further refined his craft at various luxury companies, including Alberto Guardiani, where he made a significant mark with his iconic stilettos featuring lipstick heels. Now, with his latest Smoking-Hot footwear collection, entirely Made in Italy, Ciaschini continues to push the boundaries of footwear fashion, blending traditional Italian shoemaking craftsmanship with elegance, irony, and sensuality.
AIM: HANDMADE IN ITALY
Another standout at Milan Fashion Week is AIM, founded by designer Anna Maria Mongillo. AIM‘s sustainable bags collection is handmade in Italy, utilizing leather overproduction to create timeless and sophisticated designs. Each bag is crafted with longevity in mind, allowing it to complete a woman’s style over seasonality and years. With a focus on uniqueness and responsibility, AIM’s products are handmade by expert craftsmen and do not impact the planet, making them a truly sustainable choice for the fashion-forward consumer
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