Antonio Marras made his first showing stateside this Resort season, bringing along his muse and wife Patrizia and their two sons, 21-year-old Efisio and 15-year-old Leo. It was the latter’s first time in the city ,so he was busy skateboarding in the Bronx, while the rest of la familia was holding down the fort at the Negri Firman showroom in Soho. That adventurous spirit runs throughout the family and the collection, but home is where the heart is, which is why this season Marras was influenced by old photographs of Veruschka shot against a rocky background. “I recognized the landscape, because it’s typical of my country in Sardinia,” said Marras. “She’s very elegant and very strong at the same time.” A description that would also fit his wife Patrizia, who was elegantly dressed in Antonio Marras with her hair done up in a ’40s-style updo. In addition to running the label, the couple runs a concept store in Milan called Nonostante Marras, which literally translates to “In Spite of Marras”. Turns out, Marras wasn’t initially too fond of the idea, but Patrizia forged along with the space. Two years later, the space serves as another outlet for the couples’ creativity and hosts live performances, serves as a library and book store, and regularly holds exhibitions for artists.
The designer’s creativity knows no bounds: Marras even sews his own sketches into a cloth sketch book that could equally be a piece of art (see the gallery) and the clothes have that same attention to detail. Each pattern is designed by Marras himself and the collection is full of exquisite jacquards, silk fil coupé with netting, and tartans with hand sewn paillettes. One green and white striped swing skirt and crop top was inspired by a beach umbrella. “It gives you the idea of the summer,” said Patrizia Marras. “There’s the lightness and the freshness.” Two words that could easily describe the summery array of patterns, the breezy voluminous shapes, the florals, and the bubble gum pink coats and dresses. “I used a lot of pink, because of the sun and the reflection on the rocks in Sardinia,” said Marras. Speaking of the coats, the interiors were just as immaculately done as the exteriors; you could practically wear them inside out, everything was so finished, which is something Marras takes pride in. But if it sounds all sweet, flowery, and put together, think again. The collection was such an eclectic mélange of patterns and textures, it had that certain “in the know” feel that’s certain to continue to garner Marras the kind of attention he deserves.
