For the Italian edit of 25 Ways To Gucci, we meet the capital's contemporary creative families and find out how their deep bonds extend to their sartorial self-expression.
Creativity and family have long been synonymous in the city of Rome. Be it mothers and daughters, siblings or lovers, all translate the spirit of the ancient capital in their own inimitable ways. Here, as the global tour of “25 Ways To Gucci” lands on Italian soil, we meet the rising stars and stalwarts that make up Rome’s rich creative tapestry. Though sartorially diverse, this band of individuals is drawn together by a deep bond – they each use clothes as a medium for free self-expression.
First up are the city’s fashionable film twins Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo. The 30-year-old writer-directors recently made their celebrated feature debut in Berlin with crime drama “Boys Cry”, and we’re intrigued by their Sundance-endorsed follow-up – a female Western set in the 1800s. It’s no surprise that their close familial ties should be an indelible influence on their work. “For me, my brother represents an opaque space,” reveals Fabio. “I always try to clean it to see what I’m looking at.”
The duo is joined by Andrea Carpenzano, the co-star of Boys Cry. Just don’t call him an actor – despite being lauded as one of the city’s the most exciting new talents, it’s not a label that Carpenzano is comfortable with just yet.
Creativity is clearly the lifeblood of the Carpenzano clan. His sister Livia, photographed here, is also an artist, but one of a more esoteric persuasion. Taking inspiration from artistic iconography she applies free-association in her work, comparing illustration to a form of metamorphosis giving rise to vibrant, botanical drawings. The pair also share a mutual admiration: “He is what I am not and would like to be,” says Livia of her brother.
Seamlessly melding the arenas of cinema, art and stage are F. De Isabella and Sara Leghissa, the Milanese co-founders of theatre company Strasse. This performing arts pair formed the artistic collective close to a decade ago with the aim of exploring the body as a means of linguistic expression. “Our work stems from the desire to want to share a look at something or someone,” they say of their joined joined mission. Their projects cleverly bring the worlds of theatre and film into the urban landscape.
Elsewhere, we find Benjamin Barron, the photographer and founder of print publication ALL-IN. With its focus on inclusivity, the magazine is gaining a reputation as an insightful channel for emerging talent and genuine, creative conversation. Barron is seen here alongside his partner, the Norwegian designer August Vestbø, who just presented his spring/summer 2019 runway show at Oslo fashion week. Vestbø’s early collections were inspired by single life – but that was before he met Barron: “He is the person able to show me everything in a positive light,” says the designer of their enriching collaborative connection. Barron serves as a creative guide, and even shoots the cookbooks for Vestbø’s line, Bror August.
Soledad Twombly has certainly settled into her adopted city with stylish aplomb. The Buenos Aires-born daughter-in-law of the artist Cy Twombly, who has lived in Rome for almost two decades, owns a lifestyle atelier just moments away from the Italian capital’s landmark Spanish Steps. “I have a great love for my city,” says the designer, who creates textiles, clothing and decorative home objects that reflect her harmonious aesthetic. For our shoot, she interprets the Gucci style with the help of her daughter, Maia Twombly, who’s currently studying in New York.
“Our work stems from the desire to want to share a look at something or someone,” explain F. De Isabella and Sara Leghissa, co-founders of theatre company Strasse.
From the left, GG jacquard nylon jacket, Flashtrek sneaker with removable crystals; padded cape coat, cotton socks and Princetown GG canvas slippers.
From the left, GG jacquard nylon jacket; padded cape coat
Both wear denim jackets with flowers
From the left, GG technical jersey dress, oversized T-shirt with Gucci logo, papier hat with crystals; GG technical jersey jacket.
From the left, Flashtrek sneakers with removable crystals and Rhyton sneakers.
“For me, my brother represents an opaque space: I always try to clean it to see what I’m looking at,” comments Fabio D’Innocenzo, who co-created the film Boys Cry with his twin brother Damiano.
From the left, Gucci print leather backpack, jersey jacket and oversize jogging trousers: in the same way, the other twin wears another variation of the leather backpack, jersey jacket and jogging trousers.
Fabio is wearing the Gucci print leather backpack, oversized jersey jacket; Damiano wears another variation of the leather backpack and jersey jacket.
The two directors wear DIY knitwear.
The two directors wear DIY unisex wool bombers combined with leather sneakers.
From the left, DIY unisex wool bomber, cotton polo shirt, sneakers in leather and GG canvas; DIY unisex wool bomber, cotton polo shirt and leather sneakers.
“He is the person who can show me everything in a positive light,” says August.
From the left, floral jacket and trousers, a crystal double G bracelet and necklace; GG wool jacket and culotte trousers, large tote and oversized square-frame sunglasses.
From the left, floral jacket, crystal double G bracelet; GG wool jacket and culotte trousers.
Andrea does not want to be described as an actor, despite starring in crime drama Boys Cry. He’s photographed here with his sister Livia, an illustrator, who says of him: “He is what I am not and would like to be”.
Cross brooch, GG velvet cape, XL cross necklace, leather choker and earrings, both with cross pendants.
August Vestbø wears a tunic top with flowers and tassels and a Sylvie small shoulder bag.
Benjamin Barron wears silk jacket and trousers with flowers and tassels and diamond-frame sunglasses.
From left, silk jacket and trousers with flowers and tassels; tunic top with flowers and tassels and Sylvie small shoulder bag.
From the left, reversible GG wool poncho, earrings with cross pendant; GG velvet cape, necklace with XL cross, leather choker and cross earrings.
From the left, vintage tweed jacket and basketball-shaped bag; wool jacquard cardigan, Ophidia small shoulder bag, bull’s head ring in silver, rabbit head ring in silver, tartan wool trousers.
Wool jacquard cardigan, Ophidia small shoulder bag, bull’s head ring in silver, rabbit’s head ringin silver, tartan trousers.
Rhyton sneakers and basketball-shaped bag.
“I have a great love for my city” comments Soledad Twombly, pictured with her daughter Maia.
From left, Maia wears oversized tweed bomber jacket, cotton shirt with pinstripe, tweed miniskirt, embroidered leather mid-heel pumps and a mini shoulder bag. Soledad wears oversized tweed bomber jacket and embroidered leather mid-heel pumps.
From the left, floral jacquard mini dress; oversized tunic dress.
Maia wears floral jacquard mini dress, snakeskin pumps with crystal double G.
From the left, vintage tweed coat; red wool coat, metal brooch with crystals.
Vintage tweed coat, metal brooch with crystals, Arli large top handle bag, GG canvas mid-heel boot.
