Italian fashion brand Marni was founded by Consuelo Castiglioni in Milan, Italy, in 1994. Since 2016, Francesco Risso has helmed creative direction for Marni, employing evocative concepts and visuals that amount to storytelling in fashion. Marni is known for bridging conceptual elements with wearability, thanks to Risso’s dedication to meticulous detail, the heritage of Italian craftsmanship, and innovative patterning.
One of the most recognizable aspects of Francesco Risso’s vision for Marni is his use of patterns and prints, which exemplify his view of fashion as an art form that merges theory, mastery of fabrication, and nature as inspiration. Commonly derived from organic visual motifs like floral patterns or animal prints, Marni’s patterns employ a stylization that is signature to the brand’s aesthetic. Styles like the Marni Hooded Bomber Jackets Dusted Olive Camo feature Risso’s softened, curvilinear interpretation of camouflage print, while the Marni x Carhartt WIP Bag Black/Sun Yellow explores reducing floral print to contrasting shades of Sun Yellow and Black.
In Marni’s three decades of existence, the brand has become widely revered for its ethos and philosophy, which manifest as unmistakable style. Marni has collaborated with a range of thought-provoking partners, such as American artist Erykah Badu, multidisciplinary collective No Vacancy Inn, and Japanese brand Uniqlo, excelling at collaborative design harmony. Beyond clothing, Marni is also revered for its shoes and shoulder bags, like the signature Trunkaroo, known for its structured, minimalist aesthetic and top quality leather, drawing style devotees into its vast fashion world.
