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Antonio
Berardi where tradition meets trend
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Fashion's
hottest star artfully mixes Italian craftsmanship
with English rigour for third millennium glamour
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 Glamour
- following the dictates of turn-of-the-millennium
fashion - and pure imagination are the trademarks
of Anglo-Italian fashion designer Antonio
Berardi. Berardi, the latest bright young thing
in the world of high fashion and better known as
Posh Spice's favourite designer, successfully mixes
his Italian creativity with a more English sense
of rigour and austerity.
 Berardi,
who designs for the Exté
label, first became famous with his own label. He
trained in London but has inherited the Italian
love of craftsmanship as can be seen in his
latest collection, a veritable journey through Italian-made
handcrafts. His clothes aren't for everyday
use but you'll be guaranteed to turn head s when
you don them for that special occasion. Such as
the exquisite bobbin lace dress made from lace which
was crafted by 14 skilled lacemakers in the small
town of Offida in the Marches, famous for its lace
production. Scintillating crystal corsets made from
hand-blown Murano glass, hats made from exclusive
Capodimonte
porcelain, not to mention sexy straw dresses
made by expert craftsmen in Appignano near Macerata.
And it doesn't stop here. . . Berardi's creations
also include a luxurious beaded jacket, wooden
bags with delicate inlays and a magnificent
mediaeval gown crafted by Federico Fellini's
very own wardrobe assistant. Complete the look with
sculptured stilettos in 18-carat gold and
a hand-painted leather jacket.
 Although
Berardi was born and bred in Britain he has relied
on his Italian roots when setting up his company.
All production of Berardi's lines is handled by
Itc in Bologna (a part of the fashion
group IT
holding), distribution is through L.A. in
Milan while Berardi's latest venture, Antonio
Berardi Maglie, a contemporary knitwear line, is
manufactured by Paima, a knitwear specialist
from Osimo, near Ancona.
However Berardi learnt his most important lesson
from the English designer and international fashion
guru John
Galliano, who advised him to pursue his dreams
without listening to others. Going by the results
this certainly seems to work . . .
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ELENA
GUARNERI |
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September
2001
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
