Blumarine has recently appointed Walter Chiapponi as its new Creative director. Known for his finesse in blending modern aesthetics with timeless elegance, Chiapponi will bring a fresh perspective to the iconic Italian brand.
In February, during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2024, fashion enthusiasts and industry insiders will witness the unveiling of Chiapponi’s first Blumarine collection. This marks a new era for the brand, following the departure of Nicola Brognano last month after four years at the helm.
Prior to this exciting venture, Chiapponi honed his skills and aesthetic vision at Tod’s, where he served as Creative director until late September, following the brand’s Spring/Summer 2024 womenswear show. His experience and mastery in creating luxurious and sophisticated collections has garnered international acclaim and solidified his reputation in the fashion world.
Marco Marchi, sole director of Eccellenze Italiane, the holding company that owns Blumarine, expressed his enthusiasm and confidence in Chiapponi’s ability to rejuvenate the brand while preserving its rich heritage. “Walter Chiapponi’s internationally recognized talent and refined stylistic sensibility will bring new energy to Blumarine while honoring the brand’s extraordinary heritage,” said Marchi. He added, “I am proud to be writing a new and important chapter with Walter.”
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Chiapponi’s journey in the fashion industry is marked by his extensive experience and collaborations with renowned brands. His career took off in the late 1990s after studying at the European Institute of Design. Since then, he has worked with renowned designers and brands including Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Givenchy, Valentino, Gucci, Miu Miu and Bottega Veneta under the guidance of then Creative director Tomas Maier.
During his tenure at Tod’s, Chiapponi skillfully crafted collections that embodied understated luxury, sophistication, and the quintessential Italian lifestyle. He brought a fresh twist to Tod’s signature pieces, reinventing the iconic Gommino pebble detail and expanding the brand’s range of handbags and accessories.
Blumarine, under the creative direction of Nicola Brognano, embraced a strong Y2K aesthetic, reinvigorating the brand’s appeal, particularly among younger fashionistas. This was further enhanced by the brand’s collaborations on special capsule collections with other notable names in the industry, including Heaven by Marc Jacobs, Japanese shoe brand Suicoke and Italian luxury retailer Modes.
Chiapponi is eager to seize this opportunity to redefine femininity through Blumarine‘s lens, bringing lightness and creativity to the brand’s aesthetic. “The possibility of contributing to establishing a new phase for Blumarine is for me an opportunity to embrace new thrilling and important horizons, to expand my vision and to restore sense to artistic expression,” he shared.
With this transition, Blumarine is poised for a vibrant future, as Chiapponi’s vision and expertise promise to lead the brand into a new chapter of innovation, elegance and undeniable charm.
Read more: Blumarine Spring/Summer 2024 – Milan Fashion Week
