ANOTHER NEWBIE: Luxury fashion label Giada has tapped Gabriele Colangelo as its new creative director. The brand, which was founded in 2001 by Italian designer Rosanna Daolio, was acquired in 2006 by Chinese fashion distributor RedStone Haute Couture, which boosted the expansion of Giada in China. There, the brand operates 50 stores and 10 additional units are to open by 2016. In 2013, Giada unveiled its first flagship outside the Chinese market in Milan, on Via Montenapoleone. “I see a certain continuity between my work and Giada’s aesthetic — we both look at a very sophisticated and elegant woman,” said Colangelo, who launched his namesake label, showing at Milan Fashion Week, in February 2008. “The goal is to further expand the brand focusing on the research of fabrics and the creation of a modern, design-oriented look.” No sales figures for the company were provided.
For his debut collection for Giada, which will be unveiled to the press in March, the designer revealed that he was inspired by the work of British contemporary artist Katia Borges. Focusing on luxury daywear, Colangelo worked precious fabrics including double-faced cashmere and crepe de chine for egg-shaped coats and a range of dresses, “cut much below knee-length or above,” he said. The designer also gave a twist to Giada’s signature white, black and gray color palette, with pops of lilac, camel, tourmaline and emerald blue. To complete the look, bags will have pleats adding volume to the flat silhouettes, while a square point shoe will show a sculpted heel inspired by Borges’ art works.