The discovery of Paisley occurred during a trip in 1981. It was during his stay in India that Gimmo Etro, founder of the eponymous brand in 1968, discovered a cashmere motif inspired by Indian and Pakistani fabrics: Paisley. This design, born in Mesopotamia, traced droplets that symbolized the seeds of palm or date trees. Synonymous with exoticism and pagan beliefs, the Paisely motif became the brand’s emblem and a veritable source of inspiration. The proof: the Italian family today possesses a precious collection of cashmere motifs dating back to the 19th century, a precious legacy uniting artisanal savoir-faire and a unique sense of prints. “These treks throughout the world strongly influenced the original designs… Even though we invented numerous prints, the most famous is the Paisley motif,” tells Veronica, Gimmo Etro’s daughter.
Jacoppo, the eldest of the bunch, is in charge of accessories while his brother, the stylist Kean, infinitely releases the Paisley motif for men’s collections. Between the two of them, they’ve been able to turn the familial luxury fashion house into a trendy and unique label. While preserving multicolor prints and strong Bohemian inspirations, it’s the numerous meticulous details in tonalities that are the foundation of Etro’s charm. That’s because the brothers are able to mix past and present, combining fashion with an art that continues to honor the dynamic instigated by their father – innovation.
While the eccentric masculine silhouettes are seizing and wildly contemporary, Veronica Etro, creative director for the female collections, never ceases to seduce season after season by unveiling new impressions brought back from the four corners of the Earth. “The idea is to go on a new journey for each collection. I create for an audacious woman, who’s not afraid of color and a touch of eclecticism.” She takes her inspiration from her number of treks to imagine a treasure trove of a wardrobe associating textures, motifs, colors, and embroideries. “We highlight new techniques in order to create increasingly innovative fabrics and prints.” The passion for exoticism and aesthetic patrimony of all these peoples encountered throughout these travels continues to animate the children of Etro in a sort of fascinated modernity, respectful of the cultures that once laid the foundations for the Etro brand.
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