It’s finally here! I’m thrilled to share the limited edition collection I designed in collaboration with friend and talented designer Marta Scarampi.
During my first meeting with Marta, at Lafayette in Noho, we discussed our mutual love of capes and how they are unsung wardrobe heroes. Throughout history (both real and fictitious) they have been the favorite layer for superheroes, celebrities and the military. First documented in an 1099 illustration, capes came into fashion as the “it-accessory” in the Victorian era, when women wore capes in saturated scarlet hues to convey good breeding and societal standing.
But what does a Marta Scarampi cape convey today?
Thoughtful, ethical production – From Marta’s focus on sustainable materials (such as recycled fibers and biodegradable wool) to ethical production practices where every piece is made-to-order, by hand, in her Torino, Italy atelier. We are offering this special collection as a pre-order, meaning Marta will only purchase the fabric yardage necessary to complete the orders received which eliminates the waste and dead stock typical of fashion production. (The fashion industry contributes 92 million tons of waste every year from excess in product and fabric!)
Supporting a female-founded business – Marta Scarampi is founded by two fabulous sisters, Lucia and Marta, as a means of bottling the elegance of their hometown of Torino, Italy and sharing that effortless elegance with women around the world. One of my greatest joys from running this blog is supporting talented women creating beautiful pieces that add something special to the life of the owner.
When designing this collection I considering which pieces I’d love to add to my own wardrobe, and which silhouettes, colors, and patterns would become treasured essentials in your wardrobes for years to come!
The Giulia Green – Limited Edition Cape
My first Marta Scarampi piece was a cream colored Guilia and I just loved everything about it – the beautiful (and biodegradable!) wool, the neckline that compliments everything from a tee shirt to silk blouse to scarf, and the gentle nod to vintage styles of years past without seeming costume-y. Named for Marta’s head seamstress, the Guilia is effortless to wear whether running errands or running to dinner. I asked to add the cream self faced trim as a tailored upgrade with a slight preppy flair, inspired by some of my favorite blazers in my wardrobe.
The soft sage hue is the perfect 4 season color to me – layered over a chunky turtleneck in the winter, or a mini dress in complimentary colors on a cool summer night. The raglan cut shoulder seam has the perfect drape, and hits at a flattering spot right past the hip.
The Giulia Blue – Limited Edition Cape
Navy is the perfect neutral that coordinates with every other color: tan, gray, black…even shocking pink! This fun take on Marta’s Guilia cape looks especially smart when paired with a belt for a slightly vintage 60’s shape. (The belt can be worn with the sage cape as well!)
While we were taking these photos in Marta’s neighborhood, an elegant woman and her dog walked by, then paused and turned around to ask where the cape was from. The ultimate compliment since the women of Torino are renowned for their effortless style and we knew we had a winner. As timeless as a navy blazer, but perhaps the fun younger sister – I am obsessed with this cape.
I was on the hunt for a black, tan and cream plaid which would be the perfect topper for fall adventures, so when Marta unearthed this boucle plaid inspired by an archival 1980’s Chanel fabric we both fell in love. If you read my post from my recent trip to visit Marta in Torino, you can see the incredible archives at Vasino, Marta’s favorite mill, where a specialist on the Vasino team can reverse engineer old fabrics by burning a corner of the sample and smell it to unravel the fibers in the original fabric. Truly incredible!
I love coordinating my top and outerwear for a look that I refer to as a “modern twinset” and this blazer cape combo can be styled in myriad ways. The jacket’s collarless neck and little peplum at the back make it a standout on its own, beautiful with jeans and flats for brunch, or cropped trousers and heels for a board room meeting. The cape is similarly versatile – which looks great over a button down, sweater or blazer for daytime looks, or would be fabulous topping off a solid colored sheath or black trousers and strappy sandals for evening. I love the drama of wearing them together, as the sleeves of the jacket peak out perfectly from the cape, but you can also purchase the jacket or cape on it’s own.
You can discover the entire collection here.
Thank you so much to Marta, Lucia and the whole Marta Scarampi team for the opportunity to work with you on this beautiful collection!
