Florence-based historic Maison Loretta Caponi presents its Fall/Winter 2024 collection, inspired by the festivity of the holiday season. The new line is designed to transition from cocktail hours to elegant evening affairs, filled with historical references and sophisticated volumes. Each piece in this collection is crafted as if it were a collector’s item, showcasing the brand’s dedication to preserving its rich heritage while embracing contemporary design.
Under the visionary leadership of Creative Director Lucia Caponi, the collection highlights two of her favorite fabrics: smooth silk velvet and silk taffeta. Caponi has long been celebrated for her exquisite dressing gowns, and in this collection, these fabrics are given a new life. The designer’s innovative approach has made these materials nearly unrecognizable, demonstrating her commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion while maintaining the Maison’s signature elegance.
The velvet in this collection undergoes a transformative triple processing. First, it is ‘devoré’ to create a three-dimensional floral effect, revealing the transparent tulle base beneath. Next, the velvet is embroidered with silk thread to accentuate the floral patterns, giving them a raised, tactile quality. Finally, a ‘metal flocking’ effect, akin to a delicate “rain” of stars, is applied using tiny confetti-like foil pieces. This intricate process results in a fabric that, in the words of Caponi, “sparkles like champagne,” adding a touch of celebratory glamour to each piece.
Silk taffeta, another highlight of the collection, is woven with a jacquard tartan pattern featuring hues of cream, black, and amaranth red. This base is then overlaid with black velvet flocking, embossed with rose motifs, adding a rich texture and depth to the fabric. These carefully selected materials, combined with a light cream silk velvet adorned with bronze lace and a heavy silk satin with a two-tone 1930s print, create a collection that feels almost suspended in time. The designs are reminiscent of the elegance found between the two world wars, an era that holds a special place in Lucia Caponi’s creative vision.
The silhouettes featured in Loretta Caponi’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection exude a seductive, fluid transparency. High empire waistlines, intentionally bare backs, and flowing skirts evoke images of glamorous nights aboard the Orient Express or soirées reminiscent of The Great Gatsby. Despite appearing to diverge from the brand’s well-known printed and embroidered cotton shirts with smocked stitching, this collection remains true to the Maison’s DNA. For over 60 years, Loretta Caponi has been celebrated for its luxurious lingerie and velvet gowns, and this latest collection reaffirms its mastery in working with velvet, silk, and lace.
Loretta Caponi’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection will be available starting in September. It can be found online and at select retailers, including Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter, Aerin, Halsbrook, and Harrods.
View the collection in the Gallery below:
this is gorgeous 😍