Tailored garments, exquisite fabrics, and a contemporary taste—this (and more!) is Christian Pellizzari. Read our Q&A with the young Italian designer.
Born in Treviso, Italy, in 1981, Christian Pellizzari has a style of his own. After studying at the Polimoda Fashion School, in Florence, he went on to work with Italian brand Tonello, French brand Vionnet, and Jay Ahr, a path which culminated with the launch of his eponymous label in 2011.
In his FW 21/22 collection, Christian Pellizzari takes into consideration how our world has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He rethinks wardrobe staples, prioritizing comfort and warmth. You will find oversize coats, wool slippers, and pajama-like tailored pants.
We reached Pellizzari to find out more about his unique style, his creative process, and his plans for the future.
How was the brand born? Did you always know you wanted to work in fashion?
The brand was born ten years ago from my desire to create garments with the proportions I liked, which I couldn’t find anywhere…so my first collection was born. Then, step by step, clients arrived, and the business grew.
The turning point was the runway show in the Teatro Armani, when I was chosen as New Emerging Brand. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been drawing and creating. I didn’t know then where my creativity would take me, but little by little, everything became clear.
How would you describe your style?
The Christian Pellizzari style as a “continuous contamination”. It doesn’t follow trends, it’s independent and nonconformist.
What’s the inspiration behind the FW 21/22 collection?
The FW 21/22 Christian Pellizzari collection is inspired by a casual, relaxed mood. The pieces can be worn both to stay in or go out—they’re perfect for relaxing at home, but you only need to add one of my “blanket coats” and you’re ready to go. The coats are made in casentino wool and jersey. They’re incredibly soft.
And what about your (upcoming) SS 22 collection?
The SS 22 collection revolves around natural fibers, such as linen and cotton, and embroidery. It’s an explosion of color, a clear contrast between a natural “base” and sparkling details. This collection is born for the holidays, for parties on the beach. Glamorous and relaxed at the same time.
You say that fabrics are the soul of the brand. Tell us some more about that—what kind of fabrics do you use, and how do you source them?
Yes, materials are very important to me. My creative process often starts by researching or creating fabrics or prints. Fabric research and development has always interested and inspired me. I love spending days in the archives of textile companies and looking for old samples, and imaging how I could give them a new life.
Talk us through your creative process. What inspires your creations?
The rule of my creative process is that there are no rules. I find ideas and inspiration everywhere: from my travels, from books, the streets, from art and design. My mind never stops working: life and nature are constantly inspiring me, what’s difficult for me is summing up all the ideas and funneling them towards a single result.
How important is sustainability to you?
I don’t like when sustainability is used by big companies as a marketing tool. I advocate for “real” sustainability. I believe sustainability should be a part of all the choices that we make every day.
We need to understand that every one of our actions has an impact on the environment, and we need to be responsible in all of our choices–where we eat, where we go, how we travel, what we buy, and what we throw away. Sustainability should be a daily habit.
How has the Christian Pellizzari brand changed over the years?
The soul is the same, but the style has evolved and sharpened. The brand has grown and things are done differently now, but I remain a creative who loves changing the rules.
And where do you see the brand in the future?
The world is changing, and the world of fashion is evolving very rapidly. We need to learn to think globally, but stay focused on quality, tradition, and research. I would like to see my social platform grow, but at the same time I would love to have a physical space that contains the creative world of the brand, maybe in Milan, or in Venice.
Find the entire Christian Pellizzari collection here, and save up to 40%* off retail.
About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.