The minds behind the signature prints that bring joy to life

If you take a look at my wardrobe, you will find mostly neutral colours, I’d say, 80% of my closet leans towards timeless shades and minimalist staple garments. On the other hand, I have to say, some times colourful motifs and geometric patterns inspire me to experiment and try on something different.

When I was living in Italy, I rediscovered the concept of prints. With this, I’m not referring to Versace’s opulent patterns or the pictorial motifs of Dolce & Gabbana, inspired by the beautiful Sicilia, but to the way the Milanesi wear these vibrant pieces in their day-to-day. These marvellous garments welcomed the summer in an artistic way that made me spend hours reading about the designers behind them.

Source: Aleksandra Viktor

Emilio Pucci

Let’s go back in time to the 1950s, when Emilio Pucci created the first one-piece ski suit. That was the beginning of his revolutionary vision encouraging him to open his first boutique in Capri dedicated to simple resort garments in vibrant hues.

Considered as the Prince of the Prints by the media, Pucci brought a radical approach to the fashion industry and redesigned the concept of Italian sports wear. Beyond abstract designs in the garments, his inspiration came from contemporary art and his surroundings, from Sicilian mosaics to African motifs.

Source: LVMH

JJ Martin

A veteran American journalist who moved to Milan and transformed her eclectic lifestyle into the incredible e-commerce website La Double J.

The first time I heard about her was from my friend Chiana —who by the way I miss so much! We met for lunch after spending the morning applying for internships in mid-summer. When she showed me the website, I was curious about the founder of this eye-popping, fun fashion brand, which last month opened a brick and mortar store in the middle of the pandemic.

A personal project that started as a digital space to tell stories about creative women in Milan became a hub of eye-catching and impactful collections. She is now working exclusively with small historic Italian manufacturers and has created a world of unique maxi-prints on beautiful dresses.

Source: La double J

Angela Missoni

Last week, she announced her step down as the creative director of the Italian house, after almost 25 years at the creative helm. She brought a connection of the past and present to the collections, balancing contemporary relevance and the heritage of her parents, Ottavio and Rosita Missoni. Angela introduced a knitwear which was appealing to an active generation looking for comfort and chic styles, experimenting with a broad palette of colours and patterns, such as the brand’s signature zigzagged stitch.