Baldassari

Maurizio (1936). Italian designer. Born in Liguria, Maurizio Baldassari launched his first menswear Collection in 1983, at a moment when international demand for subtle Italian men’s fabrics and clothing was pushing an entire generation of new Italian designers onto the international scene. Baldassari is a tailor at heart, working contemporary influences, including touches of leather and boldly modern hues, into a classic repertoire. Like many of his contemporaries, Baldassari began his career working for the Italian department store chain La Rinascente, where he served as a buyer and a consultant from 1957 to 1975. He left Rinascente to begin design consulting for fashion companies including Ellesse, Robe di Kappa, Redaelli and Levi’s. In the same period he served as a design consultant for the Italian Fashion Committee of the Textile and Clothing Industries. Baldassari followed his menswear line with a lingerie line in 1988, and a women’s Collection in 1989. In the 1980s he also designed a complete line for the Japanese department store Takashimaya.