Can you inherit creativity? Yes, sometimes inventiveness has been passed down through generations. Istituto Marangoni alumna Isabella Marciano is a striking example of how family memories can be transformed into a label as a journey to “Re-Blooming.” We caught up with the creative mind behind some of the industry’s most inspiring emerging brands, L’Orangerie d’Isabella, to discuss how sustainability, vintage styles, an ode to diversity, and vision have led her to rethink the future of fashion.
IM Alumna Isabella Marciano © Courtesy l'Orangerie d'Isabella
Want to learn more about this groundbreaking project, like a closet of wonders filled with made-in-Italy creations designed in Paris and crafted from pre-loved fabrics and deadstock materials? We’ve got you covered.
@istitutomarangoni L'Orangerie d'Isabella 🌷 discover the brand collection created by Isabella Marciano, Fashion Design Alumna in #Paris. Live the #istitutomarangoni ♬ original sound - Istituto Marangoni Official
Can you tell us a bit about your upbringing – where did you grow up, and what influence did it have on you?
My story is about passion, creativity, and a deep connection to art and my family’s heritage. My inspiring muse, my mother, Maria Paola, handed me over her love for arts in all forms, introduced me to my grandfather’s inventiveness, vision and skill, and taught me to see beauty and art everywhere, from canvas to food, nature, and fashion.
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I started my studies in biomedical engineering and then realised that my true passion was in the creative field of fashion. Following my dreams, I moved to Paris to study at Istituto Marangoni, where I recently graduated with a BA in Fashion Design.
L'Orangerie d'Isabella digital pamphlet
Why L’Orangerie d’Isabella?
I established this brand because I needed to reinterpret my family’s history, especially my grandfather’s drawings, which turned into this unique toile de Jouy Campestre print, used for clothing.
L'Orangerie d'Isabella toile de Jouy Campestre print
Publio (Muratore Pellei, Isabella’s grandfather and artist, EdN) comes from Gallese, a small village in central Italy: this is where I had a chance to experience life in the countryside by appreciating small things and simple pleasures. And it also became the brand’s production site, where I produced all garments – 100% made in Italy from deadstock fabrics. This brand speaks not only about clothing: it speaks of food, emotions, and people; it expresses my family memories.
Isabella Marciano's family memory book presented during the Brand's event in Paris
“La Vita Campestre” collection: can you tell us more?
Each piece has been designed in detail. I focused on developing shapes in particular. I created the matelassé skirt, for example, to let people feel confident and comfortable at the same time. It happens very often that people need to adjust to the clothes they are wearing, and this is something I totally disapprove of! My clothing embraces the body; this skirt allows women to walk easily. My motto is: “If you can bike with it (the item of clothing, EdN.), that’s good!” I originally started developing this collection when I was a Fashion Design student at Istituto Marangoni Paris; it was a rough time because, during the pandemic in 2020, fabrics were hard to find. I started looking into my mother’s closet, and, voilà, an old dress gave life to my vice-versa pants. This is a very special collection for me; IM tutors and experts helped me examine every detail of the collection and make it truly wearable. Thanks to this great effort, I was selected as one of the top ten students of 2021.
Photo shooting of Isabella Marciano's "La Vita Campestre - Gallese" collection
What does sustainability mean to you?
I often find vintage garments to be deconstructed and then reshaped into different clothes: this is what upcycling means to me. Also, all garments are made from pre-loved fabrics and waste leather sourced from deadstock materials: this enables l’Orangerie to be unique – with each piece different from the others, timeless and inclusive (the brand offers French sizes from 34 to 48, EdN).
What is your current aspiration?
Changing the world one collection at a time, using fashion to raise awareness on social issues.
Silvia Tarini
Editor, Milan