Exclusive Fashion Breakfast with Margherita Maccapani Missoni
What started as a grey, rainy Thursday morning in East London turned out to be a beautiful journey, inspired by the culture, colours, flavours, icons and traditions of Italy.
A few lucky Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design students were invited to an exclusive breakfast with Margherita Maccapani Missoni. It was part of the launch of The House of Peroni Residency. The theme is ‘For The Love Of Italy’ and Margherita Maccapani Missoni is Master of Style 2016.
Who could better represent the Italian style and heritage than the youngest member of the legendary Italian fashion dynasty Missoni? Margherita is the granddaughter of Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, who founded Missoni in 1953. She has directed the creative teams for the Missoni Accessory and Swimwear collections and modelled for Missoni campaigns.
The exclusive breakfast took place at Shoreditch House, overlooking the City of London. Fashion legend Colin McDowell took us on his voyage to Italy while we lounged in big sofa chairs and sipped cappuccinos. “Italy is more than just a place. It is a nation of culture that inspires our passions. It lights the fire that fuels our creativity. The land breathes life into our ideas.”
Margherita explained how she is inspired by the beautiful Italian landscape, the smell of lavender, the taste of the fresh products, and how it feels to come home. “I have been lucky enough to grow up in a beautiful part of Northern Italy, where I am constantly taking inspiration from my surroundings, and from the beautiful view I have of the Monte Rosa. Native flowers, family gatherings and Lucio Fontana, the Italian philosopher of art, all shape my creative output and have helped me curate the space in the Residency.”
As much as she loves London, and she does have a very close relationship to the city- her grandparents Rosita and Ottavio met in London – she would always prefer to come home at night time and to wake up overlooking the Monte Rosa.
Margherita studied philosophy and theatre in Milan and New York. When asked if she feels that she missed a formal fashion education she replied she takes her inspiration from the creative world she grew up in. She would later realise her inspiration came from a “hat that Vivienne Westwood gave to her when she was eight years old.” She deeply believes in team-work and is lucky to have people with different backgrounds and knowledge around her.
Asked about her current career ambitions the mother of two makes it clear that at the moment being with her children and family is her number one priority. She will, however, always be involved in the iconic Missoni brand.