Altaroma presents finalists for 2016 Who Is On Next?

AZZURRA GRONCHI

Azzurra Gronchi is a Tuscan brand of bags, a guarantee of high-quality, sophisticated Made in Italy craftsmanship. Azzurra’s training as a pattern maker at Centro Formazione Professionale and later as a designer and product manager at Polimoda resulted in her desire to create her own-name brand. Her family’s renowned tannery, Samanta, a prominent Tuscan industry, specializing in the production of high-quality printed leathers, served as the perfect training ground to fine-tune her sense of aesthetics. Collaborations with Dolce&Gabbana, Costume National and Ferragamo gave shape to her creative skills, while her innate determination did the rest.

www.azzurragronchi.com

DAMICO MILANO

Born in Latina in 1982, Francesco D’Amico initiated his career in fashion while studying at the Accademia Costume & Moda in Rome. Following numerous collaborations that enabled him to acquire in-depth technical skills, in September, 2015, he launched the Damico Milano women’s footwear line. Styles for day and evening wear featuring details that highlight the expertise of haute Italian artisanship. His interventions on materials and his manufacturing techniques highlight Francesco’s in-depth experience in the world of women’s clothing, creating a crossover between the world of apparel and that of footwear. The trademark of each Damico Milano creation is a fine gold thread embedded on the sole of each shoe.

www.damicomilano.com

IOANNA SOLEA

Ioanna Solea, the daughter of a Cypriot father and an Austrian mother, was born in Cyprus. After graduating from the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, she initiated her career in fashion while working for Valentino and Piazza Sempione. Based on the strength of the experience acquired while working for these renowned fashion brands, she decided to launch IS, her own-name brand of accessories. A spirit of luxury and the poetics of artisanal working techniques blend harmoniously in Ioanna’s creations, giving life to contemporary, sophisticated pieces that are always infused with a touch of irony. Inspired by the world of nature, her bags and necklaces are characterized by a skillful combination of sensuality and the use of priceless materials.

www.isaporter.com

LODOVICO ZORDANAZZO

After graduating with a degree in Fashion Design from the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Lodovico moved to London to pursue her passion in the footwear sector. After completing various design courses at Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion, she honed her skills while working as a consultant for several international brands including Casadei, Victoria Beckham and Karl Lagerfeld. She launched her own-name brand in February, 2015. The footwear designed by Lodovico Zordanazzo is entirely handcrafted in Italy by master shoemakers who pay painstaking attention to each and every detail.

www.lodovicozordanazzo.com

PUGNETTI PARMA

Born in Parma in 1983, Filippo Pugnetti is a designer and an artisan whose work is characterized by a combination of tradition and modernity. Following numerous experiences both in Italy and abroad, Filippo returned to Parma, his home town and the place where he had first learnt about the inextricable link between artisanal working techniques and art, intent on establishing his own name brand of bags. Creative flair and an in-depth knowledge of the techniques used by master craftsmen, particularly the makers of leather goods, represent the cornerstones of Pugnetti Parma which was founded in February 2015. Filippo does not sketch his models on the computer, but first assembles the patterns together to visualize the handbags that he has in mind, detail after detail.