Italian-based designer Christian Pellizzari visited Japan for the Spring/Summer 2015 exhibition of his eponymous brand. We had the opportunity to speak with him at IZA, a select shop on Aoyama's Kotto-dori street that carries the brand. Born in Treviso, Italy, in 1981, Pellizzari worked for brands such as TONELLO and Vionnet before founding his own brand in 2011. He was selected for Giorgio Armani's Young Designer Support Project, and in June 2014, he held his Spring/Summer 2015 men's collection show at the Armani Teatro. He is a young Italian designer currently garnering attention. "Although I received no financial support, being selected caught the eye of buyers and editors around the world, which has given me a valuable opportunity for the future. And above all, I am honored to have been recognized by Mr. Armani," Pellizzari said. The brand's concept is to offer "a highly adaptable total look that can be worn for any occasion" by fusing different details and various elements, such as tailored and sports styles, evening wear made from casual materials, traditional fabrics from the Biella region, and new silk jacquard fabrics. This season, inspired by Latin culture, where folk and contemporary styles coexist, the collection mixes vibrant yellow and pink with a base of white, black, and blue. When creating a collection, "thorough material research precedes the design," says the designer. A key feature of this women's collection is a 3D jacquard dress featuring dynamic peony flowers floating on silk organza. The material is a new invention of the designer, and is inspired by the paintings of Frida Kahlo. Other pieces include a dress made with a jacquard skirt and iconic viscose or silk georgette top, a skirt and pants with three-dimensional floral embroidery, and a dress with a more elegant silhouette, as well as a masculine look combining a classic striped Italian shirt with shorts. For men, the collection offers a contemporary feel, featuring a focus on tailoring, with a focus on burgundy colors, botanical patterns, embroidered shirts, and jackets made with abundant bronze and other lamé threads. Unusually for a young designer, Pellizzari has presented both men's and women's collections. "While it's very important to me to continue creating men's wear, the market for women is still larger. I aim to further expand the brand by applying my sartorial skills, which I specialize in, to women's items," he says. He has already presented items using the same materials for both men's and women's. Pellizzari's 2015-16 Autumn/Winter men's collection show is scheduled for January in Milan, with a women's presentation scheduled for March. He left the interview in a hurry but with a satisfied look on his face.
