Consuela Castiglioni
About
the designers
The house of Marni is the birthright of Consuela Castiglioni. She is one of the IT designers today, and her label is quickly becoming a favorite among the fashion savvy.
Consuela was born in 1954. This Switzerland born fashionista found her mark when she married Gianni Castiglioni at the age of 25. He was then the head of Giwi Furs, which soon became part of the exquisite Italian fashion house of Fendi.
It was not long after the birth of her two children that Consuela became the fashion consultant for the Castiglioni functions at Fendi. The fur establishment itself was started by her husband’s father in 1970, and eased into a ready-to wear market by Gianni in 1995. It was in the following season that Consuela launched the Marni line with her own designs. This debut collection was an exquisite celebration of Italy’s finest leather.
In 2000, she opened her first showroom in London and won the UK ladies over in spades.
The Look
It is now well-known for its eclectic romantic collections. Marni clothes focus on natural fabrics like linen, cotton and silk, in breathtaking colours, flawless seams and with an exceptional attention to detail. It is a rare combination of quality, originality and wearability which makes every collection so very desirable. Castiglioni is known for quirky but feminine combinations of bright colors, bold graphic patterns, elaborate fantasy prints, and natural textures, including many furs. The result is off-beat, funky clothes that are still elegant and eminently wearable, day or night. It’s a flirty, youthful look that can be carried well by women of most ages.
Who Wears It
Julia Roberts, Ashley Judd, Reese Witherspoon, Kirsten Dunst, Audrey Tatou, Monica Bellucci, Courteney Cox Arquette