L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 32 L'Italo-Americano O n May 17th, the C a s t e l l u c c i family opened i t s O a k v i l l e home for a spe- cial occasion: the showcasing of Eva Rorandelli's Alta Moda couture collection, a line inspired by Florence's e n c h a n t i n g r o s e g a r d e n s . Throughout her career, Fash- ion Designer Eva Rorandelli, who had assisted her father Massimo in his San Lorenzo stores, has blended her early immersion in Renaissance art with studies at Florence's Accademia di Belle Arti and a career in modeling and design in New York City. Since her father's passing in 2007, she has evolved his classic Italian s t y l e , e s t a b l i s h i n g E v a r o Italia as an internationally recognized luxury fashion house celebrated for its time- l e s s e l e g a n c e a n d r e f i n e d craftsmanship. "The inspiration for Evaro Italia began over a decade ago, following the passing of my father. It was a moment t h a t l e d m e t o r e f l e c t o n everything I had learned from t h e b u s i n e s s , w h i c h m y grandfather had started, and which I had always taken for g r a n t e d . M y f a t h e r r a n a leather outerwear business; growing up, I spent a lot of time in his stores and learned a lot. When he was gone, I realized I had inherited more than just experience, as I got a deep appreciation for quali- ty and craftsmanship, values I wanted to carry forward." Evaro Italia brings to life the synergy between tradi- tional Italian craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for Florentine late Renaissance culture. The brand's aesthetic is influenced by the era's rich colors, distinctive architec- ture, and enduring artistic spirit, making these elements an integral part of its identity. The core aesthetic of Evaro Italia is defined by several key elements, with timeless ele- gance being the most crucial signature across its collec- tions. This emphasis on ele- gance was particularly evident and became a defining char- acteristic during the fashion show we attended. The open- a i r s e t t i n g a m p l i f i e d t h e designs, demonstrating how they translate into real-world e n v i r o n m e n t s . " I d e s i g n ready-to-wear couture gar- ments with a deep focus on m a t e r i a l s , p r o c e s s , a n d craftsmanship. Many of our pieces are separate, versatile designs that easily transition from day to night; they're created for women of various ages and backgrounds who want to express their individ- uality," Rorandelli under- lines. "These women appreci- a t e q u a l i t y a n d w a n t garments or accessories that become a lasting part of their life; not just as clothes to wear, but as beloved pieces that endure through time." Signature pieces include l e a t h e r o u t e r w e a r , w h i c h pays tribute to both the fami- ly's heritage and the rich tra- dition of leatherwork in Flo- rence. Evaro Italia is also known for beautiful Ital- ian lace, which they use in everything, from blazers to g o w n s . I n R o r a n d e l l i ' s w o r d s , " E v a r o I t a l i a embraces both simplicity and boldness. I'm drawn to clean, modern silhouettes and, at t h e s a m e t i m e , I a m n o t afraid to use vivid colors or bold prints when balanced with minimal shapes. I also l o v e o p u l e n t , i n t r i c a t e , romantic designs, especially w h e n g r o u n d e d i n a s o f t , tonal color palette. That con- t r a s t b e t w e e n b o l d a n d understated, classical her- itage and modernity is really at the heart of the brand." F a r f r o m b e i n g a m e r e geographical indicator, the M a d e i n I t a l y l a b e l attached to each Evaro item s t a n d s f o r t h e b r a n d ' s e m p h a s i s o n q u a l i t y a n d c r a f t s m a n s h i p . " M a d e i n I t a l y i s a c o m m i t m e n t t o excellence, authenticity, and tradition. We take this very seriously and, unlike many brands, we produce every garment entirely in Florence using locally sourced materi- als and textiles. From the ini- tial design to the final stitch, e v e r y s t e p o f o u r p r o c e s s takes place in Italy," Design- e r R o r a n d e l l i c o n t i n u e s . "This level of control and proximity allows us to main- tain the highest standards of quality and reflects some- thing very important to me: respect for Italian artistry and a desire to keep these traditions alive. It's what defines us, a dedication to true Italian heritage, not just in style but in the integrity of how each piece is made." Evaro Italia works on the release of small collections each season, especially with- in the ready-to-wear line; but the goal is to make timeless pieces for women to wear. "If you love to wear something, it should be worn year-round a n d s h o u l d o u t l a s t t h e trends," Rorandelli shares. "Versatility is a really impor- tant part of this. I intention- ally design pieces that can be mixed and matched within a woman's existing wardrobe, to offer longevity and room for personal expression. The challenge is how to stay cre- ative and relevant without relying on seasonal themes or trends. This requires trust- ing my personal inspirations and intuition. I love fashion a n d s e e i n g w h a t o t h e r designers do. I'm excited by c o l o r s , n a t u r e , a n d o t h e r kinds of experiences." There is, however, also space, in Rorandelli's cre- ative process, for emotions, family ties, and aesthet- i c s : " I w a s i n a w e o f m y father's leather designs, espe- cially the craftsmanship, the richness of the materials, and some of these pieces I still o w n , w e a r , a n d t r e a s u r e today," the Italian designer highlights. "I also have jewel- ry from my grandmother, d a t i n g b a c k t o t h e e a r l y 1900s; not only are these items beautiful, but they also carry stories, memories, and a sense of identity. I realized early on that these are the pieces that I turn to when there's a special occasion; not because they are trendy, but because they mean some- thing to me. That's the spirit I b r i n g t o m y w o r k w i t h Evaro Italia: creating gar- ments that are meant to be cherished." Sustainability is another core element at Evaro Italia, achieved through a responsi- ble, small-scale supply chain with local material sourcing, close artisan collaboration, and limited collections that prevent overproduction and waste. "There's very little waste in our process because we are focused on precision, quality, and longevity. We are a small operation, and our goal is to slow down the fashion cycle by producing garments that are carefully made and meant to last. We e n c o u r a g e c u s t o m e r s t o invest in pieces they can truly v a l u e , a n d t h i s m o v e s u s away from the throwaway culture of fast fashion," she shares. The aim is to further grow internationally, without los- ing its core identity: "We are looking to grow our interna- tional reach in a way that stays true to who we are," Eva concludes. To experience Evaro Italia firsthand, the brand is excit- ed to launch a new collection at Milan Fashion Week this fall, an opportunity to make an international impact in t h e s t y l e c a p i t a l t h r o u g h craftsmanship, materials, artistry, and inspiration that brings it to life. SERENA PERFETTO Evaro Italia launches rose garden-inspired Alta Moda Collection in Napa Valley SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN COMMUNITY Rorandelli (center) with models of the Alta Moda Couture Show (Photo: Dasha Semyonova)

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