The exclusive styles created for Fashion Weeks tell a story that spans two generations and looks to the future
It is enough to cross the threshold of Maglificio Pini to breathe fashion; literally. Since the 1990s, we have been working side by side with the most prestigious brands on the international scene; this gives us the opportunity to land on the runways of Milan, London, Paris and New York and to bring Made in Italy into the spotlight.
Each collaboration has always pushed us a little further, such as experimenting with new yarns and seeking new technical solutions, to give life to unique styles, ready to surprise. And without being intimidated by last-minute setbacks. With pride and a lot of passion, we continue to turn challenges into true works of art.
Gaetano Navarra and the groundbreaking use of stretch viscoses and jacquards
In the early 1990s we embarked on a memorable collaboration, to say the least, with Gaetano Navarra, a partnership that represented a real turning point. We still remember the episode starring Eva Herzigova, who with her nonchalance – when the top of her dress slipped, leaving her uncovered – turned a minor setback into an applause-worthy moment. This experience has prompted us to experiment with stretch viscoses and jacquard fabrics, paving the way for more complex and out-of-the-box solutions.
The creative challenge of patchwork with Proenza Schouler
Our first collaboration with Proenza Schouler in 2016 began immediately as a creative challenge: a patchwork dress made of more than thirty pieces, fully fashioned and uncut, in different stitches (piqué, bouclé, ribs) and knitted in as many as six different yarns, mixed and pleated. Then, the big finale: the development team gets sick! Despite the difficulties, the garment delivery was on time; and we were even able to add further color variants. The fashion show was a success, the garment was presented in two colorways and left a mark for its originality and complexity.
JW Anderson between organic cotton, exaggerated shapes and… foam rubber
A little later, for Spring-Summer 2017, we dared the unconventional with JW Anderson: an organic cotton style with a structured, crisp hand, featuring exaggerated hems, collar and cuffs. After numerous attempts, we found the creative solution to give the dress the right volume: using foam rubber, the kind normally used for sofa stuffing! The result was an eye-catching fashion show garment that made the news, proving once again how the creative spirit is an infallible guide.
Avant-garde design conquers Met Gala with Proenza Schouler
Another collaboration we’d like to recall is, once again, with Proenza Schouler, and it resulted in the creation of a viscose bandage dress, presented in two versions: a long and tight-fitting one and a short and loose-fitting one. The long-sleeved version was then custom-made for the artist Grimes, who wore it at the 2017 Met Gala, themed “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between”. With a metallic twist, the dress paid homage to the stylist’s avant-garde design, confirming our commitment to daring without forgetting our craftsmanship mastery.
These are just a few of the unforgettable moments that have dotted Maglificio Pini’s life. In our Archive we collected the testimonies of a long journey, because, in order to build the future, it is essential to be aware of one’s history.