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The Journey of a Print

The
Journey
of a Print

The Journey
of a Print

 

Each season, we work intimately with
our partners at some of Italy’s most celebrated
print houses — or stamperia — to develop
the exquisite fabrics in our collection.

We recently traveled to Lake Como, the printmaking capital of the world, to document how we created the exclusive prints in our Spring 2019 collection. Rich in artistry, and steeped in tradition, our collaboration with our mill partners is the quintessential labor of love, woven through with creativity and passion.

Shop New Arrivals

 

Each season, we work intimately with our partners at some of Italy’s most celebrated print houses — or stamperia — to develop the exquisite fabrics in our collection.

We recently traveled to Lake Como, the printmaking capital of the world, to document how we created the exclusive prints in our Spring 2019 collection. Rich in artistry, and steeped in tradition, our collaboration with our mill partners is the quintessential labor of love, woven through with creativity and passion.

Shop the Spring 2019 Collection


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There is nothing coincidental about Como as the destination behind the world’s most iconic prints. It grew from the region’s ancient connection to silk. As a stop on the Silk Road as early as 1000, it was quickly realized that Como’s mild climate and warm waters were ideal for growing the mulberry bushes that feed the silkworm. In the 15th century, the Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza induced farmers to plant fields of mulberries, and thus setting in motion a local industry that has thrived for centuries. Today, Como is home to 85% of Italy’s silk production and a vibrant community of artists, entrepreneurs and designers —including the world’s most famous print houses.

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Our Creative Director Emily Smith arrives at our partner mills with her inspiration boards ready, each one telling the story of the season in color, texture and fabric. At Lafayette 148, our prints act as the final piece of that story. They add contrast and dimension, evoking the season’s themes and acting as touchstones bringing together the entire collection.

Our Creative Director Emily Smith arrives at our partner mills with her inspiration boards ready, each one telling the story of the season in color, texture and fabric. At Lafayette 148, our prints act as the final piece of that story. They add contrast and dimension, evoking the season’s themes and acting as touchstones bringing together the entire collection.

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Using the boards as a starting point, Emily and the Fabrics team work closely with the mill’s own artists to create the perfect print. Sometimes they begin in the archives, pulling references from the mills’ massive collections — one house has 600,000 designs, while another has prints dating back to the 17th century — that are then sketched by hand, repainted and adjusted for color and spacing.

Using the boards as a starting point, Emily and the Fabrics team work closely with the mill’s own artists to create the perfect print. Sometimes they begin in the archives, pulling references from the mills’ massive collections — one house has 600,000 designs, while another has prints dating back to the 17th century — that are then sketched by hand, repainted and adjusted for color and spacing.

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“I always look forward to our trips to Como.
Exploring the archives, seeing and feeling these
beautiful fabrics and working with the
artisans there—it’s inspiring.”

—Emily Smith , Creative Director

 

Shop New & Now

 

“I always look forward to our trips to Como. Exploring the archives, seeing and feeling these beautiful fabrics and working with the artisans there—it’s inspiring.”

—Emily Smith , Creative Director

 

Shop New & Now
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In some cases, the mills will take Emily’s vision and use it to create a completely original motif, rendered with watercolor on canvas. This requires exceptional collaboration and nuance—the result of two creative minds speaking the same language, artist to artist.

In some cases, the mills will take Emily’s vision and use it to create a completely original motif, rendered with watercolor on canvas. This requires exceptional collaboration and nuance—the result of two creative minds speaking the same language, artist to artist.

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Without exception, our partners are small mills
with deep roots in the region. Many have been
in the same family for generations.

They are the heirs to a 1000-year-old tradition — and that is why their embrace of modern methods is so striking. With a close eye on sustainability, they have adopted state-of-the-art technologies to preserve the land and waters around them.

Shop Styles from our Design Desk

 

Without exception, our partners are small mills with deep roots in the region. Many have been in the same family for generations.

They are the heirs to a 1000-year-old tradition — and that is why their embrace of modern methods is so striking. With a close eye on sustainability, they have adopted state-of-the-art technologies to preserve the land and waters around them.

Shop Our Italian Prints