Marni

MARNI

Marni, brand founded in 1994

Marni SS 2019

The Origin

Marni is a luxury brand founded in 1994. The fashion line started in 1994, when Consuelo Castiglioni became known for her contributions to the design of fur, stemming from her husband’s family fur business. At the time, fur was typically designed in an old-fashioned manner, but Castiglioni instead treated it as a normal fabric to make modern, wearable clothing. Her fashion line, named after her sister Marni, grew as her customers needed something to wear under or with their fur.

Brand Development

The time period of 2000s saw the brand expand and flourish in various markets, earning a global appeal. In the year 2000, the first Marni boutique found its place on Sloane Street in London and Marni Japan was also established this year. The first Marni boutique was opened in Milan on Via Sant’Andrea. Marni launched its first Men’s collection in 2002. The same year, the first boutique of the house was opened in Paris on Avenue Montaigne and in Tokyo in the Aoyama district.

marni
Consuelo Castiglioni in the backstage of a fashion show

The following year in 2003, the brand launched its first jewellery collection and its eyewear collection in the year 2005 while opening boutiques in Los Angeles and Hong Kong in the same year.  Marni Virtual Store was launched in Europe and the US in 2006. The first Marni accessories boutique opened in Milan in 2007 with the launch of Balloon bag.

Some collaborations

In 2006, the house collaborated with Richard Prince for Spring/Summer 2007. In the year 2010, Marni collaborated with Claude Caillol and Gary Hume for the collections and with Matteo Thun for “The Wooden Beacons” installation at the Milan Furniture. Marni fragrance was launched in collaboration with Estée Lauder in 2012 and the same year, the company was acquired by the OTB group led by Renzo Rosso. The year 2013 saw the launch of the Trunk bag. Marni also collaborated with Isetan on The Ethical Fashion Initiative – Kenya 2013. Marni Opened Flagship Stores in via Montenapoleone in Milan, Maiden Lane in San Francisco, Mount Street in London in 2015.

Same year held, “Becoming Marni” Installation during the 56th Venice Biennale and presented the Men’s Collection at the Marino Marini Museum. Marni became a Guest Designer at Pitti Immagine Uomo 2015.

marni
SS 15

Style

Castiglioni, who has always been the label’s chief designer, is responsible for Marni’s aesthetic of “European-inflected bohemianism.” Other descriptors that have been applied to Marni designs include “quirky,” “feminine,” “off-beat,” and “funky.” Early design features included idiosyncratic prints and vintage-inspired shapes and fabrics; Marni has retained these elements but has become more streamlined. Other Marni hallmarks include juxtapositions of texture; colour-blocking; a palette focused on grey, beige, and blue, in which bright colours are interspersed; and unusual shapes, such as bell hemlines, gathering, asymmetry, and large volumes.

Current Situation

Francesco Risso is the creative director of Marni since 2016. Marni sells clothing in sixteen countries; boutiques locations include London, New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Beijing, Shanghai, Sydney, Moscow, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo. Online sales began in 2006. Marni’s line is made in Italy, and does not have any licensees.

Francesco Risso Marni
Francesco Risso the creative director of Marni since 2016.

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