Maps and the Heroic Age of explorers are in fashion

Maps and the Heroic Age of explorers are in fashion

Fashion designers are charmed by the old-fashioned maps, the art of cartography and the Era of explorations

by Barbara ZORZOLI

Old antique maps were particularly fascinating because they had a sense of adventure and spirit of exploration. Old maps were designed by cartographers that brought far away lands to life, adding a personal style and creativity to them, that’s exactly what fashion designers propose.

Map is in Fashion

Collections of 1a Classe Alviero Martini fall 2012, one of Italy’s top manufacturers of leather goods, accessories and women’s clothing are characterized by a “geographic map” motif (called the ‘Geo-Map’), an original design inspired by the era of legendary voyages, explorations and by the Belle Époque. The map also represents an amalgamation of cultures and a potpourri of new ideas and lifestyles. When Alviero Martini designs map bags, he uses old maps and divides them into pieces, so each map on the bag is unique. The handbag comes in a variety of outstanding styles to suit every woman’s taste: barrel bags, baguette shoulder handbags, clutches flat crossed–body handbags, geo printed carry all bags, cross-body shoulder bags, and drawstring bucket handbags. The range of his collections covers several accessories, from watches to cosmetic cases, and more this designer has thought of it all.

The Gentleman Explorer

The allure of the exploration and Nature combined with sophisticated elegance: the Carlo Pignatelli Outside collection for next fall-winter draws inspiration from gentlemen explorers, the heroes of exciting and hazardous expeditions. The Pignatelli collection looks on the one hand to Mungo Park, the Scottish explorer who discovered the source of the river Niger, and on the other to the images captured by photographer Herbert Ponting, who accompanied Captain Scott on his expeditions to the Antarctic. The collection marks the return of key sportswear pieces, but with a hint of chic: the Parka and the backpack, for example, are accompanied by classic, traditional garments such as double-breasted suits and double lapels.

Men… prêt-à-partir

Yossi Cohen, Creative Director for Ballantyne (the Italian fashion house with a Scottish name), emphasized the urban explorer at the Ballantyne presentation during Milan Men’s Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012/2013. Ballantyne’s collection is inspired by the Heroic Age of explorers. It’s a collection dotted with all-over knits, furs, capes and trousers. The latter are cut to the masculine shape, the knits are spun with the luxuries of knop yarn in cashmere, tweed cashmere, wools and velvets. This included casual looks but also tailored pieces coupled with coats and jackets, and luxury fabrics like cashmere, along with some knit and tweed.

About the Author

Barbara ZORZOLI 

is a Columnist for the Italian Journal