Co-founder and creative director of the Marni Italian fashion label, Consuelo Castiglioni, launches her debut childrenswear line this autumn, reports Vogue.
Inspired by the label’s retro-style Edition collections, and targeted at young girls ages 2 to 12, the junior collection features hooded parkas with check wool linings, polka-dot rain capes, and striped jersey T-shirts and dresses.
"The Marni Edition collections were very inspiring to me and somehow the idea came up to design certain items in childrenswear," said Castiglioni.
"Some pieces take over details from the adult line, but of course reworked, thinking of a child,” she added. “The collection follows the idea of playfulness and free movement."
The designer’s husband Gianni Castiglioni, CEO of Marni, worked at his parents’ fur company for many years before he and his wife, Consuelo, founded the eclectic line of women’s clothing and accessories in 1994.
Despite never studying design, Consuelo was named the company’s chief designer.
"I would say that she is a born designer," said Gianni Castiglioni. "Consuelo is always ahead of the trend. She doesn’t follow the trend, but makes the trend." Marni opened its first flagship stores in London and Milan in 2000. So far, it owns 45 boutiques around the world, and each store features a unique interior design.
Marni’s junior collection, priced from $65 to $650, will be available in Marni stores and online.