The Pleated Dress

Today we introduce a piece of contemporary elegance: The Pleated Dress – by Zucca.

Innovative and evolving style, paired with functionality and versatility, mixes well in this beautiful dress. A piece to wear for the Christmas festivities. But you’ll always find an occasion to put it on afterwards. Undoubtedly, it will be one of the classics in your capsule wardrobe.

The design point
The silhouette is simple, boxy and stylish. V neckline along front and back. Sleeveless with dropped shoulders. Two side slip pockets, under-knee length. Relaxed fit, a side slit makes the movement comfortable.

Three different fabrics with distinct textures are sewn together and then pleated. Indeed the design plays with juxtaposition in a refined and modern manner. Moreover, the hand of the fabric is soft and glossy.

The Pleated dress by Zucca


About the texture
The difference in texture is created by stitching three types of fabrics, such as velour, satin and crepe. And after, pleating them.
This particular technique makes the dress really special.

About the colour
Dark brown tending to bronze. It is a warm hue with a slightly shiny effect which gives a natural glow to your outfits.

The pleated dress by Zucca
The Pleated Dress – by ZUCCa

Coordination ideas
Although it is a unique dress, both colour and shape are basic. So you can use it as a one-piece. When the weather is cold, we suggest wearing a long-sleeved basic top underneath, also tights or leggings. Instead, for a party or a dinner at the restaurant, you can combine it with a jacket or long cardigan to create an elegant style.

Advice and care
This item is pleated by heat and pressure. The pleating could gradually disappear by repeating wearing and washing. Please acknowledge it beforehand. Also, when wearing and storing, do not apply pressure for a long time.

Easy-care material. You can wash it by hand at home.

The Pleated Dress is a statement piece. It reminds us that good design is made to last.
And you can enjoy it in your everyday life.

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Change: between reality and dream

The alleged change brought in by the pandemic, and much discussed in the fashion field, is mostly imanginary.
We had this conversation with Antonio Miranda, designer of the Anmi jewellery brand.

Antonio invited us to the Piccolo Teatro to see “Doppio Sogno” (Dream Story), by Arthur Schnitzler. Firstly, the show was amazing! Much better than Kubrick’s movie “Eyes wide shut.” Each character had multiple versions of oneself simultaneously, highlighting a dense psychoanalytical landscape. The mixed emotions in a deep flow of consciousness have made it intense.
Thank you, Ugo Fiore (assistant director and Antonio’s nephew). We really appreciate it!

However, before the show started, we exchanged some thoughts about fashion.

change
ANMI Collections – Made in Italy

Fashion and change

We quote Antonio Miranda:

“Those who changed because of the pandemic were already on that path before Covid19 hit. This is demonstrated by the fact that the majority of people worsened or didn’t change at all. And, look, in the fashion field, we talked a lot about change. It seemed everything had to be different the following season. Well, now the fluff is even stronger.”

According to the Anmi designer, those who changed were already sensitive to the topic. Somehow they were ready or open to it. In fact, they were on the route to make a change. Therefore, the pandemic was the last drop or an invitation.

But for the majority of people, nothing has changed. Not for the good. And fashion is stuck in the usual hot air.

Indeed, the path towards change is individual. It is a matter of awareness and perspective. But, even though a shift in attitude depends on our journey, whatever our situation may be, we can get inspired by virtuous people and activities.

A play, a book, what we buy, define the universe we want. Let’s keep the door open, search for value, support and share it. That’s how we change!

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The fashion bullshit

A list of notorious fashion marketing empty claims

The fashion industry loves to discuss important matters that we would better describe as fashion bullshit.

How does the system work?
As soon as a new concept becomes popular in the fashion field, the proclamation gets released. So the word spreads. As a result, marketing takes over the subject right away. And, once marketing steps in, you can feel the smell of it. Indeed, you will perceive a sense of fakeness that permeates the whole set of communication.

As voices outside the chorus, we’ve created a list of some of the fashion bullshit: terms that, the more people in the field put at the centre of the discussion, the more they sound weird.

The fashion bullshit list:

• New:
usually said about things done and redone. Again and again. Eye roll when you hear this word.

• Change:
a kind of mystical belief we like to talk about, but never happens.

• Luxury:
or the fake representation of it. What remains after the voluntary shift towards overproduction and mass distribution.

• Affordable luxury:
a total absurdity launched to compensate for the collapse of real luxury.

• Sustainability:
the biggest bullshit of our times. The majority of designers who wave this flag have no design imprint. Therefore, have no reason to exist.

• Diversity:
possible or allowed only in fashion shows or advertising.

• Inclusion:
possible or allowed only in fashion shows or advertising.

• Disability:
possible or allowed only in fashion advertising. But please, don’t show up during fashion event!

• Fluidity:
gender-fluidity is popular in fashion shootings. But when you go shopping, items are divided by categories. And so, the shop assistant kindly invites you to shop in the section assigned to your gender.

• Collaboration:
possible only as co-branding (sharing a profit). However, very rare among fashion professionals as a genuine exchange.

• Humbleness:
did not report.

Does anyone have anything to add to this list?

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The Furry Cardigan

Today we recommend – The Furry Cardigan by Plantation1982.
An extraordinary piece of design, perfectly curated in every single detail.

This cardi is a timeless and seasonless wardrobe staple. Very soft and comfortable to the touch, it is surprisingly lightweight.

Discover The Furry Cardigan

About the material
Nylon is the core yarn, and cotton brushed bouclé (a knitted fabric with a yarn loop on the surface) is wrapped around, covering the nylon. The soft and fluffy texture feels great on your skin, and we recommend it for those who have problems with the tingling sensation of wool. Also, this cotton knit cardigan can be easily cared for, and you can wear it every day. It is a seasonless piece, and even though it contains cotton, you can use it during the winter season. That is because the fuzzy finishing makes it warm.

About the design
The shawl-collar 3-button cardigan gently wraps around the back of the neck.
It is a whole garment and so, a non-sewn knit. It means that there are no shoulders or side seams. Therefore, thanks to this knitting technique, the garment has no tension, and it is very comfortable to wear. Also, a small percentage (5%) of polyurethane added to the yarn prevents it from losing its shape and provides a fit.

The Furry Cardigan by Plantation1982
The Furry Cardigan – Plantation1982

About the colour
The mood recalls the warmth of a cocoon. Light brown with an intense yellow tinge, it is a colour that makes you feel all the warmth of the knit.

Easy-care material. Machine washable.
This item can be hand-washed at home. We suggest laying it flat to dry.

The collar has a beautiful V-line, so you can enjoy coordination by layering high-necked inners and looking into colours and patterns. Extremely versatile, The Furry Cardigan is suitable for wearing in different combinations.

Good design, quality, timeless, seasonless, easy-care.
Style made to last. Buy less, buy better!

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Why Japanese Fashion

The Point on Style & Japanese aesthetic

Making the point on style, examining the international fashion panorama, helps answer the recurring question we hear: why Japanese fashion?

Why is Japanese fashion design relevant?

What is our prerequisite

On an international basis, we look for brands who have something to say, present good design and a consistent expression of their vision. Also, we keep in mind the shift brought in by the pandemic: going to the essence. So we put together a capsule selection of meaningful pieces.
“Less but better” means that there’s a reason for every garment we choose.

A glimpse on international fashion panorama

We are quite perplexed about the designers’ proposals we have seen lately. We noticed that many brands have lowered the bar offering poor quality and meaningless design, also labelled “sustainable,” which makes us laugh. Although some brands show beautiful dreamy lines, these have no context in our lifestyle, at least for now. So, we’ll keep an eye on them for the future.

The Italian situation, specifically, requires a deep analysis.
In short, after the demolition of Italian craftsmanship and after production was dislocated to other countries, Italian fashion is not at its best. Many brands have no soul or remain stagnant, offering no evolution. Those who thrive mainly sell the vision of a sexy woman that sounds so status quo. We would like to see something more than the sexy doll.

Why Japanese Fashion - an image of Japanese style by Plantation1982
Plantation1982

What leaves us perplexed is the direction that many international brands, considered the cool ones, are pursuing. If they aim to design a modern style, they repurpose a Japanese aesthetic. And so, the Instagram images are beautiful, but when you analyze the clothing design, the patterns, you can see where the idea comes from. In the end, there’s a common thread connecting brands from Italy, the U.K., North Europe or US. Despite their significant followings, they all reveal the same specific characteristics that strongly resonate with Japanese fashion design.

By the way, what we find somehow interesting is that those brands sell even to Japanese stores. The Japanese buy their own aesthetic made by someone else. If a Japanese buyer would illuminate us on this, we would be grateful.

In conclusion: Why Japanese Fashion?

Nippon offered a wealth of unconventional and advanced fashion design. What we notice as a commonality between Italian and Japanese cultures is the obsessive attention to detail and style. While drawing inspiration from Italian, European or international brands in general is acceptable, we do not expect exactly the same Japanese designs.

So, why Japanese fashion? Rather than choosing International brands featuring a Japanese aesthetic, we take the original ones!

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