My 9 to 5: The Duo Behind (Nude)
Luana Rivi and Marinella Sighinolfi, two great friends and designers, are seen throughout their collection (NUDE), which means bare but also pure, simple and transparent. Rivi, the head designer of (NUDE) takes Papercut behind the seams to learn about this Italian designer duo.
Interview by Chelsea Deakin
Where are you originally from and where do you currently live?
I was born in Modena, Northern Italy, the heart of Italian knitwear production, where I still currently reside.
How did you get started in fashion design?
My father was a talented artisan of wooden furniture so I grew up with a strong interest for arts and crafts and started early to sew, embroider and design clothes for myself.
Did you attend college and if so, where did you go?
I studied arts at the Institute of Art in my hometown. After graduation I began working for important textile companies in the area refining my skills as an art director of knitwear collections.
How would you describe your designer aesthetic? What inspires your work?
Traveling is my greatest passion — collecting vintage clothing, jewelry and objects, discovering different cultures. Throughout the years I created a huge archive of collected goods that often are the inspiration for new collections.
What are some of your daily duties?
Most of the time, I look after the collections I design. I have fittings and meetings almost every day. When I have time I like to look at blogs and magazines for inspirations and daily ideas!
What do you love most about your job?
I love the fact that it is always changing and challenging and that it’s never boring! I also enjoy working in a team. I think it’s very important to compare with other people in order to grow and build a perfect product together.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to travel and visit friends I have around the world, but I fully enjoy some relax and pampering time, taking care of myself.
Schedule for a typical day:
I never have a “typical” day but here’s how one could be.
7 am: Work-out with my personal trainer
9 am: Start working in the office with a big cup of coffee
12.30 am: Have lunch with friends, I like to eat organic food and enjoy company and a chat for lunch.
2 pm: Fitting samples of the new collection
4.30 pm: Return to the office to answer e-mails and set the time-table for the next days
7.30 pm: Happy hour and dinner with friends
11.30 pm: Finally…bed!
What is the inspiration behind your S/S 2015 collection?
This collection reflects a mental journey towards the East mixing and stratifying various inspirations. The East meets the West, the natural mixes with the technological, the grace of femininity and the comfort of the masculine. It starts with the idea to create a wardrobe that expresses modern and relaxed beauty, day-time clothes which are easy to wear but elegant at the same time.
What fabrics, details and techniques did you work into this collection?
The fabrics are natural, linen and cotton with their fresh and raw tactility, but the techniques are avant-garde: layering of coatings over laminated materials, special sequin embroideries and pleated fabrics that create surprising technical effects, as well as hand-made painted effects.
How is this collection unique from your last?
The continuous research of innovative materials and techniques gives a new and special effect to every collection.
Who do you envision wearing this collection?
A modern woman that wants a wearable but always “special” wardrobe.
What are the key pieces of this collection and why?
Knitwear is in my DNA so I would say every knit of the collection.
What is your personal favorite piece or look and why?
Personally I really like the first look in the lookbook: a voluminous 3d-effect sweater worn with a long pleated and laminated skirt.
How do you set your designs apart from other designers?
I think it could be the never-ending research on materials and new techniques.
What do you hope to contribute to fashion?
I hope to give easy and wearable designs that women can wear every day but that still makes them feel special and unique
What’s next for your design career?
In the immediate future I will develop the accessories (bags and shoes) for the collection, and the dream could be of opening a flagship store!
What steps are you taking to continue growing your brand?
We are working to expand our distribution in foreign countries and diversifying the product introducing new accessories to the collection.
What advice do you give to people who dream of starting their own collection?
Follow your instinct and never give up on your ideas!
What is the best way for emerging designers to get their name out there?
Be unique!
