Made in Italy: Manila Grace

By Suze on Jun 30, 2010 | In About Me, Fashion & Style, (Hand)made in Italy, Places to go | 5 feedbacks »

Ciao!

So sorry for my rather long silence lately. Let's say I've been seriously busy again but I hope to have more time and energy now... And what about you??? How is this summer going? Is your national team still in the WorldCup? (Ehm ehm...) Any plans for holiday? Tell me tell me...

Today I want to talk about my last clothes purchase and about an Italian brand I love and I know you will too. And I'll tell you the truth about shopping (for me).

Ok, so if you read my blog you know there's quite a lot of shopping related stuff here. I'm easily smitten with that earrings or this t-shirt or that bag or those shoes... Specially if indipendent or otherwise unique pieces.

I love when there's something and someone "behind" the product and when you can see, touch, smell all the creativity and passion and love it took to create it: that's what makes objects meaningful and special, no? And sometimes I have the feeling that if I own or wear that object a little spark of that magic will be with me too...

But to be honest it wouldn't be fair to say I'm a shopping-addict, a fashion victim or anything similar in my everyday life. Truth is I'm definitely not. I'm more for window shopping per se, I like discovering new shops and fun street markets rather than serious posh boutiques (brrrr...), I try to avoid cluttering my wardrobe and my life with stuff (attempt not always successful, I have to admit...) and for clothes I'm always like: "Hum, do I really need this? Will this really make any difference for me? Ok it's pretty but does it really suit me? Shouldn't I wait I loose some kilos? Shouldn't I wait for sales? ..." Add that I don't have much time for shopping lately and add that on my bad days not even if Giorgio Armani and Valentino teamed up with an army of make up artists and hairdressers, well not even them could do anything decent with me: so why bother? I'll just wear something gray I already have in my closet. Please tell me I'm not alone and you feel this way too sometimes! :)

Bottom line: basically in the end I don't buy a lot of stuff... Furthermore, my taste is quite peculiar, I don't like so much "mainstream" fashion and I don't go crazy for most major designers (but I am the lucky owner of few top designer pieces that are f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s, mostly presents I received and I treasure), I'm not very comfortable with vintage either - although there's been times at highschool when me and my best friends used to believe that if jeans were NOT second hand they were pathetic and embarassing! :)...

With all this premise you can imagine it's not easy nor frequent for me to find a really happy shopping experience... But a couple of weeks ago I was in the little town of Reggio Emilia (not far from Parma where I live) to run some errands and I decided to go to the Manila Grace store: I already knew it and they don't have a shop in Parma... Well, I have to say I would have bought EVERY SINGLE PIECE of their latest collection!

I'm sorry to say that personally I think unfortunately their pretty photo catalogue on the website doesn't succeed completely in conveying the mood and the style (and the beauty!) of the collection (if that gorgeous model smiled a little bit more and if she could eat something it would be better... Just an idea for the next photoshooting...).

Their summer collection is based on a main color palette that I find absolutely ideal and very wearable for me: lavender, muted teal, golden sand, some light burgundy, soft gray, white; with occasional touches of stronger colors. Perfect for mix-n-match. Mostly solid colors but combined with some pretty patterns in contrast. Quality comfortable fabrics, some unusual shapes but never too bizarre, even the most casual or "gypsy" items look elegant and effortlessly chic.

And the customer care: I got a cool reusable tote with my purchase - don't you love when they give you something for free? ;) -, I left my contact details and a couple of days after a friendly girl called to tell me they're starting their sales reserved to their "loyal customers" (sic).

What I bought? Well for the moment just this top that I'm really loving... But I'd have much more on my wishlist... :)

I think there's someone from Bologna among you lovely readers: do you know Manila Grace shop in Bologna? Worth a visit?

If you're not Italian and you like it, they sell abroad too even if not online (not directly at least, but for example you can find something from past seasons on Yoox).

Manila Grace brand was born in Bologna, Italy in 2005, they now have 13 shops in Italy and sell through a network of 500 more, plus 400 sales points in the world. Manila Grace is all made in Italy.

[All the images in this post are from Manila Grace website, a part from the second from bottom that I took yesterday night at home]

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5 comments

Comment from: Federica [Visitor] · http://sweet-as-a-candy.blogspot.com

Uh si conosco Manila Grace :-)
Anzi grazie, mi hai ricordato che devo farci un salto!
Baci!

06/30/10 @ 15:30

Comment from: lou [Visitor] · http://happyserendipity.com

how wonderful. i didn't know about this brand and they make such beautiful clothes. the top is gorgeous. especially the color. keep us updated on your next buys. baci.

07/01/10 @ 16:15

Comment from: Kat [Visitor] · http://www.secretsofabutterfly.typepad.com

I liked this post alot because i learnt about you through what you like in clothing. I am similar i like to but different things that i love and though i admire the girls who wear vintage so well, i don't find it suits me or maybe i just can't find the right sort of pieces easily.
This brand looks a lovely range and the free tote is so pretty too! its good to read a post about people's passions for clothing when they find what fits with their style
kat

07/04/10 @ 15:42

Comment from: leila [Visitor]

Hi..
I live in the U S IN DC and love this shop:) can I order on line I love and just love MANILA GRACE PLEASE GET BACK WITH ME THANK YOU

08/04/10 @ 00:53

Comment from: SARA [Visitor] · http://www.saraflower.ch

BUONGIORNO A TUTTE...UAU!!! Manila Grace Ã¨ veramente fantastica...io la vendo nel mio negozio a Locarno, in Svizzera.
Devo dire che da 3 anni vesto solo MANILA!!! Complimenti a tutti coloro che creano e che amano MANILA GRACE!!!! ;-)

09/10/10 @ 17:48

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