Being a cinephile obviously isn’t enough to qualify someone for a successful career as a fashion designer; yet movies have always been a gold mine of references for many collections, often helping to substantiate their narratives. Piazza Sempione Resort was an example. Taking their cue from the Italian film La donna della domenica (The Sunday Woman), shot in 1975 by director Luigi Comencini, design duo Federico Piaggi and Stefano Citron were (not surprisingly) fascinated by Jacqueline Bisset, who starred in the movie alongside Marcello Mastroianni. Her character, an alluring Turinese bourgeoise with a conspicuous dark side, was the collection’s elegant muse.
Dark side notwithstanding, the chic restraint of her style resonated with the label’s understated, discreet tone of voice. The daywear offer, which is Piazza’s forte, was, as usual, full of wearable options designed with elegant practicality. Soft-tailored pantsuits in light wools with abbreviated jackets; clean-lined short shift dresses in crisp poplin; trench coats and dusters in a delicate neutral palette. These were no-nonsense pieces to wear every day to look well put together with effortless ease.
As the saying goes, “God is in the details.” It’s definitely the designers’ mantra here. Every item came with sometimes undetectable, but finely executed, minute finishes, which turned simple shapes into something rather special. A masculine white poplin shirt was outlined by a scalloped organza trim in contrasting color; a ribbed cotton sweater was bonded at the front of a poplin blouse in discreet trompe l’oeil mode; what looked like a cotton lace jacket was actually part of a fit-and-flare black cotton dress.
On a more decorative note, an abstract print of tulips blossomed on faille blouses and circle skirts, while on fitted poplin shirts, stripes were mixed with florals, injecting a summery, fresh feel into the collection.
