Home Base: Milan
Defining Style: Eclectic and innovative. Luxury with a quirk.
The Face Behind the Name: Consuelo Castiglioni
Did You Know: The forerunner of Marni was Castiglioni's husband's family business, Ciwifurs, a fur supplier to Italy's top fashion houses. Marni was launched in 1994.
Spring '08: In one word: paradox. Lightness with depth, formal with informal, and natural with man-made is manifested in such pairings as poplin with techno-paper, gabardine with nylon and leather with imitation leather.
Colour Palette: Staple classic shades of black, ocean blue, salt grey and graphite with bold flashes of iris blue, coral pink and sienna red.
Highlights: Big yet defined volumes in cotton-poplin shirts, jackets and short-sleeved sweaters. Trench coats in softly structured silhouettes that set off slim-fitting shorts.
By Robin Payne
