If Italian PM Draghi’s road map is to be believed and this summer follows last year’s tendency, over the next month we’ll be returning to some semblance of normality. It also means we’ll be needing the right wardrobe to revive our social life while supporting Florence’s independent fashion scene. Here are a few looks for the hottest months ahead.
Modelling, concept + words: Helen Farrell
Photography by Marco Badiani + Valeria Raniolo
Step out of the wilderness: Hello Wonderful
Step out of the wilderness (or the greenhouse!) this summer with a shimmering number to vaunt your zest for life. Head to Oltrarno-based artisanal boutique Hello Wonderful for empowering outfits purposely made from Italian deadstock fabrics. Individual pieces are designed and crafted on the bright and breezy via Santa Monaca premises by Italian owners Livia Quaresmini and Vivian Ventroni. Handcrafted ear cuffs, rings and bracelets by some of the jewellery makers of the coworking studio Officine Nora pair with the Grecian look for a stylish evening of statuary.
Dress (89€) by Hello Wonderful (IG: @shophellowonderful / via Santa Monaca 2R)
Jewellery (prices start at 63€) by Apnea, Arata Fuchi + Monastery Jewelry from Officine Nora (IG: @officinenora / via dei Preti 2-4R; by appointment only)
Carefree + free flowing: New Kid
Australian designer Rachel Beagley’s label New Kid channels nature with fun and free-flowing ice dye dresses styled in deadstock brushed cotton, plus her signature footwear that stands out in a Florentine crowd while always remaining the epitome of comfort. Head to via del Ghirlandaio for Shoes and More, the name of the studio store, or purchase online. Margherita de Martino Norante and Lucilla Vecchiarino’s ex voto golden eye necklace and a gold plated silver bracelet by Colombian-Swiss jewellery artisan Meret Pérez complete the carefree look.
Dress (90€) + shoes (125€) by New Kid (via del Ghirlandaio 18; by appointment only)
Jewellery available from Officine Nora (via dei Preti 2-4R; by appointment only) and LucillaVecc Illustrations (via Romana 8-10R)
Embrace your inner elegance: Tiche Clothing
Embrace the summer with this light and lovely red zebra-print dress from Tiche Clothing. Tijana Stanković, from Serbia, celebrates elegance, femininity and joie de vivre in her feel-good outfits fashioned from quality overstock fabrics leftover by luxury brands—Stanković’s signature buttons add the final flourish. Pop over to the via San Zanobi atelier for a dose of creativity in clothing. Valentina Caprini’s Floema Jewelry instills natural grace to the airy look with the goldsmith championing and preserving the precious metal wire filigree technique from the artisans of Campo Ligure, near Genoa.
Dress (175€) by Tiche Clothing (via S. Zanobi 122R)
Necklaces (small 180€, large 240€) and earrings (modelled as rings, 220€) by Floema Jewelry
Bizarre brilliance: AVAVAV
Make a statement with AVAVAV’s bold looks driven by conscious production crafted from luxury deadstock fabric from the Florence area. The satin-cord drawstring detail on the 100% wool pants topped with the holy bowling check dress and tailed with the bizarrely brilliant Burberry-lined finger feet sandals dazzled all during our secret garden fashion shoot. Made to order by Berlin-born Stephanie Lehmann, Frau Leman’s gorgeous and spacious leather tote bag hangs steadfastly by our editor’s side.
Dress (220€), pants (200€) + finger feet sandals (800 euro) by AVAVAV
Bag (349€) by Frau Leman (via della Chiesa 21R)
Relaxed for travel: Bastah
Easy-to-wear elegance that is rich in detail accompanies us on our resumption of reality with these relaxed fit kimono and pants by Bastah. Yoga and travel inspire Serbia-born Natasha Kontic’s designs styled from fabrics from local textile mills. Samba Artigianale’s handmade bag combines Tuscan craftsmanship with the joyful Brazilian spirit embodied by artisan Priscila Lira. Inspired by tropical nature with its exotic scents, the inside is lined with colorful fabrics, while Marla Desii’s harmonious Bloom necklace and ring lend an alluring naturalness to the look.
Kimono (120€) + pants (120€) by Bastah
Bag (320€) by Samba Artigianale (via Sant’Agostino 17R).
Necklace (120€) + ring (90€) by Marla Desii at Campucc10 (via del Campuccio 10R)
The location: Serre Bistrot
All the photos were shot at Serre Torrigiani (via Gusciana 21, entrance from the Porta Romana car park). Florence’s “secret garden” is the place to unwind this summer surrounded by greenery while sipping a glass of wine, a just-mixed cocktail and enjoying the freshly prepared fare from the bistro. +39 328 9666268 for lunch / aperitivo / dinner / after-dinner
The advertising on these two pages has been generously gifted to businesses by The Florentine readers David Bach and Alatia Bradley Bach. With thanks to Creative People in Florence for the collaborative effort.
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