From Rome With Love: Antonio Grimaldi’s Letter To Middle Eastern Women Everywhere
As the Italian designer celebrates 10 years at the helm of his eponymous label, he dedicates his Darkness of Light S/S21 to the women of the region…
Bazaar shares Antonio Grimaldi‘s declaration of admiration and love here…
My Dear Middle Eastern Friends,
My latest Antonio Grimaldi collection celebrates the 10th anniversary of my maison, and it’s dedicated to Haute Couture – the love of a lifetime – and to you, Middle Eastern women; special friends who have supported and encouraged my style and technique.
When in 2010, after 15 years of work dedicated to Haute Couture, I decided to embark on my solo adventure by founding my brand and opening my atelier, I lived for several months a year in the Middle East, where I established solid friendships with magnificent women who soon became muses and personal icons of beauty as well as part of my big family. To these women who loved me, pampered me, and believed in me, I want to dedicate this collection – to celebrate an anniversary that is so important to me.
I developed my talent under that Roman sky: in the form of the beautiful and well-made, thinking of history and of the future, of stylistic avant-garde, and with respect for the most rigorous sartorial traditions made great by Italian high fashion that is well evidenced by my work. And over the course of the years, my creations have travelled the world, starting from the Middle East, and conquered the hearts of international princesses, actresses, and artists – in a world of women who seek in a dress – in a creation – the best of friends and the most faithful of allies.
The feeling I have with you is incomparable. You totally understand me and my style. Every time I travel in your beautiful countries I feel at home being surrounded by your affection. Even in this difficult time, although I could not come to you, I was able to bring my atelier into your homes thanks to technology and by having my seamstresses communicate with yours.
As you can see from my latest collection, my hidden thread lies in that which is authentic, sewn into the heart. This, together with technique and the study of new geometric or classic balloon shapes, majestic volumes, and regal column silhouettes. This is thanks to the inspiration that comes from you, your culture, art and beauty. My declaration of love is dedicated to all of you, my fantastic Middle Eastern muses, princesses, managers, great professionals, mothers, and friends who I love and value.
Sincerely,
Antonio Grimaldi
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s March 2021 issue
