There are beautiful clothes and then there are clothes that are beyond beautiful. Eleventy founder Marco Baldassari does not view fashion in a vacuum. Instead, he sees fine Italian clothing as an intrinsic reflection of history, culture, art, music, nature and contemporary lifestyle.
It’s no wonder, therefore, that a recent Eleventy photo shoot took place in the same marble caves from which Michelangelo took inspiration centuries back. “The color of the marble blended perfectly with our collection,” Baldassari ex- plains. Eleventy fashion is modern but timeless, sophisticated but totally uncontrived.
Partnering with the best luxury merchants in the US (which, after only three seasons in business, already generates about 25 percent of total company volume), Baldassari and Eleventy’s North American sales director Geoff Schneiderman have been hitting the road across the country to determine what American customers are looking for in luxury fashion.
What they learned: both men and women seem to want modern classics crafted in the finest fabrics, and a unique blend of comfort and cool. Other buzzwords: soft to the touch, light in weight (“office buildings in the States are overly heated!”) and impressive price/value ratios. (Yes, their prices will surely surprise you…)
A key must-have item for this coming fall: the “Laser Blazer,” a totally deconstructed, trim-fit knit jersey sport coat with patch pockets, available in navy and gray. “It feels more like a sweater than a sport coat,” Schneiderman explains. “I wear it all the time because it’s amazingly comfortable but also stylish.” Comfort and style are key factors in how Eleventy’s various components work together. Expect to pair elegant sport coats with fine cashmere hoodies and joggers—surprisingly sophisticated in Donegal tweed!
It’s self-expression meets sophistication meets street, a uniquely winning combination in Italian luxury fashion, and one that is sure to impact how Americans dress.
