You founded The House of Correale together. Where did that idea come from?
First, we would like to thank Istituto Marangoni for asking us to participate in this very exciting project.
From the moment we started our Bachelor’s program, we instantly had the idea of creating something together after our studies. Our academic journey in art and fashion has also influenced our choice to create a brand together. Antoine is a designer, and I am a creative director; we complement each other, so it was only natural that we would make it a family affair. The House of Correale is a natural result of that.
Your brand is an anthem for family, gender equality and respect of the environment. What do you think about these issues that are so important today?
As a new company in the fashion industry, our idea was to be very aware of what needed to be changed.
First, our family is everything. We have always taken our family working together as an example to follow. When you join our family, you instantly become a new member: this is the concept that we wanted to use to trigger our customers. For us, they are more than just people buying our products; they are new members of our family. Talking about the environment, we wanted to have a brand that stands for sustainability. We create our pieces from garments found in thrift shops, and we redesign them into something new. We also found fabric drops to create our event collection. It means that we don’t waste anything. Therefore, inclusivity was another of the main values that we wanted to work on. All our garments are made for everyone; there are no boundaries in our brand.
You recently opened an e-commerce store, which is a very important step for an emerging brand. In your opinion, how important is an e-commerce for a new brand?
It’s required. Everything is on the Internet now, this is the place to be.
Our generation lives on smartphones, so if you want to be visible, you need to be online. It also allows you to reach a wider audience: when you promote your brand on social media, you are targeting the whole world. This is also the reason why you need to have an online shop.
What are your main inspirations in fashion? Are there any fashion icons or designers who inspire you in your creative process?
Our main inspiration is our family. When we create something, we are deeply inspired by the attitude of the women in our family and the backgrounds of men. We are a Franco-Italian family, so fashion is in our DNA. We are also influenced by many fashion icons from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, like Grace Jones, Lady Diana, Diana Ross, Joan Collins, Madonna, Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Prince, Elton John, Michael Jackson…
As siblings, we are often compared to the iconic duo of Gianni and Donatella Versace – who, by the way, are a great source of inspiration for us. We also love the artistic universe of Alessandro Michele from Gucci, we find it very inspiring.
What would you say to the Antoine and Manon of three years ago, before you started your academic journey at Istituto Marangoni Paris?
It might sound cliché, but to believe in your dreams. Don’t forget you are talented, and you will make it. Every chapter has some ups and downs, but in the end, the result will be worth it. Don’t be quiet; be loud and be proud.
What advice would you give to an emerging designer who wants to start an online store and a business in the fashion industry?
Trust yourself and your project. The fashion industry is a very hard place to be, but don’t think that you can't be a part of it. There are also many things that school doesn’t teach you about being an entrepreneur, so be super curious and learn by yourself. Before starting a business, you need to be 100% sure about your brand ID. Our last piece of advice is: don’t rush it, everything happens when it needs to happen.
Elizaveta Ostanina
Career Service & Industry team