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ALBERTO CALIRI THE MISSONI DNA:
VISION AND IDENTITY
A creative direction that embraces every dimension of the brand. Rediscovering and enhancing its more hidden aspects by bringing one’ s natural instincts into play.
For Alberto Caliri, preserving the authenticity of Missoni is a natural, spontaneous process, but at the same time it is a fertile ground for exploring and expressing his own stylistic identity. A bridge between fashion and design.
In October 2024, Alberto Caliri resumed the role of Creative Director at Missoni, marking another prestigious step in a relationship that has taken various forms since 1998. Following his successful experience at Missoni Home, Caliri now perfectly embodies the direction of the brand, blending tradition and modernity into a recognisable language.
How have you experienced the many stages of this all-encompassing story?“ After proudly being Angela Missoni’ s right-hand man, and later taking on the creative direction of Womenswear, before my future role in the Home division, I approached the job with a highly professional mindset. Then I took on the creative direction at Missoni Home. I joined the Home team just as the real estate boom was taking off, so I worked extensively on customising buildings. My winning choice was to approach each project individually, listening to my counterparts and working with them to find the most tailored solutions.”
October 2024 arrived. Now Creative Director of both Fashion and Home, Alberto Caliri plays a pivotal role. What has really changed?“ For me, this has been a turning point. Despite many years of experience with Missoni, I had never explored the archive so deeply. I discovered that several elements closely aligned with my personal aesthetic had been somewhat forgotten by the system. That’ s where my idea came from: to strengthen Missoni’ s identity by focusing more on daywear, knitwear, and outerwear. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and that was an enormous satisfaction.”
In which aspects do you feel a continuity with Missoni’ s history, and where do you let more of yourself shine through?“ I’ m one of those creatives who enjoy deeply understanding a brand, listening to the vibrations it gives off, grasping which elements might work at a given moment, and then finding the key: the right compromise that suits my vision while respecting the whole production ecosystem. It’ s not a selfreferential job, nor is it that of a pure artist.”
What is your personal challenge in this creative direction?“ My main goal is to slow things down: creatives are often pressured into constant renewal. Instead, the right rhythm should be re-established, to allow time to absorb concepts, proportions, and forms. Moreover, I want my own perspective to emerge, and at the same time, I’ d like to bring back into view some of the brand’ s incredible sides that are currently forgotten.”
A personal memory of Ottavio and Rosita Missoni?“ My memory of Ottavio is that of a fascinating man with immense creative talent. He knew how to blend the languages of sport and fashion in a uniquely captivating way. With Rosita, I worked more directly during my time in the Home division. Her attention to detail, care, and vision of modernity were remarkable. The brand’ s success came from the union of two such extraordinary and complementary individuals.”
A lesson ready to explore new horizons... missoni. com
Project Director Rita Baiguera Graphic Designer Cristina Zanacchi
Intervista Stefania Vitale