Elisabetta Franchi
The world of fashion has recently been dominated by extravagance and fantasy. However, there are still brands that present exquisite yet simple collections, and one of them is Elisabetta Franchi. The Bolognese designer creates clothes that exude femininity. Her collections are characterised not only by luxurious Italian flair but also by a skilful balance between intriguing form and undeniable classic style.
Since the 1990s, Franchi has contributed to creating the latest trends, her clothes have developed their distinctive style over the years, and the brand itself has reached the heights of the fashion industry. Her success is undoubtedly due to great passion, meticulousness, and total dedication to her work.
Importantly, this brand is one of the first major clothing companies to decide to be cruelty-free. In practice, this means that the brand has given up fur, angora, and natural feathers, replacing them with synthetic materials, gradually eliminating animal-derived materials.
Additionally, Elisabetta Franchi combines her activities with respect for animal rights, having initiated two well-known projects, “Dogs Love” and “The Naked Truth”, which aimed to encourage people to oppose the abandonment and mistreatment of animals.
The History of the Elisabetta Franchi Brand
How did the journey into the world of fashion begin, and how did the Italian designer build her own empire by fulfilling a childhood dream?
It all began in Bologna, Elisabetta's hometown. Born in 1968, as the fourth of five children, she grew up in a modest family, overseen solely by her mother. In many later interviews, the designer talks about how the absence of a father and other poverty-related issues gave her the strength and determination to change her fate.
Elisabetta Franchi was an incredibly hardworking and steadfast person in pursuing her goals. She made her debut in the fashion world during her studies at the Istituto Aldrovandi Rubbiani in Bologna. During that period, she supported herself with various temporary jobs, working, for example, as a sales assistant, which was a valuable experience as it taught her how to work with consumers.
In 1996, at the age of twenty-eight, the creator opened a small fashion atelier where she finally began working on her own clothes. Lacking experience, she primarily relied on her intuition and passion for fashion, which later proved to be the right direction. Her first recognised collection was named CELYN B, which referenced the Parisian style, a significant inspiration for Elisabetta.
Impressive Successes
The brand we know today under the name Elisabetta Franchi was established relatively recently, in 2012. Her first boutique is still located at Via Tortona 9 in Milan, but it is now just one of over a thousand locations worldwide.
In less than ten years, the company achieved over 100 million euros in revenue and became one of the most sought-after brands among the biggest stars. Indeed, Elisabetta Franchi dresses world-renowned stars, from actresses to singers and celebrities. Her creations have been worn by the likes of Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Lady Gaga, and Kendall Jenner.
What Characterises Her Collections?
- Italian craftsmanship - the brand's products are characterised by exceptional attention to detail. Elisabetta Franchi's designs stand out not only for their unique approach to fashion but also for their ethics towards animals. Materials are chosen with the utmost care, and the brand is gradually reducing the use of animal-derived materials, which are obtained only through thoughtless cruelty.
- Creativity - this is a trait that the designer and creator of the brand certainly does not lack. The projects that come from her hands are a perfect balance between classic and extravagance. Elisabetta prioritises customer satisfaction and aims to liberate them from traditional fashion beliefs with her clothes.
- Thoughtful design - every product of the brand, from sensual dresses to perfectly tailored trousers, celebrates the female silhouette, highlighting every asset. Franchi creates offerings for women, catering to their needs. That's why her clothes are elegant, comfortable, and have their own unique style.
The undeniable success of the brand is primarily due to the refined taste of the designer. When creating the brand, Elisabetta wanted to introduce a new creative force to the market, bringing something new and surprising, yet accessible to everyone. Therefore, her designs are a combination of incredible creativity, elegance, and simplicity. To better characterise the brand, one should look at its most recognisable collections of recent years.
Icon Collection
Icon collections are typically exclusive and limited garments that serve as a brand's hallmark. Therefore, they include its most popular and iconic products. Elisabetta also has such a collection, distinguished by a unique logo embroidered on every piece of clothing. This collection includes items and accessories such as designer bags, Elisabetta Franchi dresses, thigh-high boots with a high heel embossed with the logo, and even tights with a similar pattern. All of this is maintained in classic colours - dominated by white, red, black, as well as beiges and browns.
Dune Collection
Although Dune reminds us of the recently popular science fiction film, the collection of this name has nothing to do with it. Nevertheless, it is another noteworthy clothing line filled with vegan women's accessories. As mentioned earlier, the brand eagerly stands in defence of animals and fervently fights for luxury fashion companies to create clothes from synthetic substitutes.
The Dune Collection is primarily about thoughtful shapes, soft lines, and artisanal craftsmanship. Its main component is five different handbags, including - a clutch, a mini shoulder bag, a small crossbody bag, a large shopping bag, and a bucket-style bag. All Elisabetta Franchi handbags are perfect for everyday use, and the collection's character is further enhanced by a light gold chain woven into each bag.
Exotic Collection
Another collection honouring animals is the Elisabetta Franchi Exotic Collection. All its products are marked with the "Animal Free" label, yet the design of the entire line gives a very animalistic charm. These accessories are created for clients who are not afraid to exude femininity and want to feel both modern and elegant.
The collection again includes bags of various sizes, this time there are four. The Maxi Bag, the largest of them, is a perfectly tailored shopper that can accommodate all necessary purchases. The Tall Bag, on the other hand, is the pinnacle of elegance and sophistication. The Short size is described by Elisabetta Franchi as the perfect complement for night parties, and the sleek Slim clutch will accentuate any evening outfit.
Fashion from designer Elisabetta Franchi
Looking closely at the brand, it's no wonder why it has a whole host of supporters worldwide. The reception by women is extremely positive, and many of them, when thinking about shopping, reach for the company's assortment. If we already know what guides the Elisabetta Franchi brand in its designs, let's consider what is actually in the current offering and where we can purchase these clothes?
What's in the offering?
The brand's assortment impresses with its vast variety. Fashionable dresses, airy blouses and shirts, perfectly tailored trousers, modern bags, and comfortable timeless shoe models are just a small part of it. Every clothing category has something special and draws attention. The footwear is of great interest - fitted high heels, court shoes, or sandals are synonymous with luxury and good taste.
In Elisabetta Franchi's designs, very versatile colours dominate, such as white, black, delicate pink, and muted beiges, which make it easy to pair them with chic accessories. When browsing the brand's fashion offerings, it's worth paying attention to the rich selection of dresses and skirts, which not only look great for evening outings but also beautifully highlight feminine curves. So, if you're looking for clothing that will make you feel elegant and sexy, Elisabetta Franchi is the brand you're searching for.
Elisabetta Franchi Moves
It might seem that the brand only presents very elegant and formal clothes, which are not necessarily suitable for everyday wear, let alone for sports. However, to the surprise of many, it turns out that besides the main collection, the designer recently launched a sports line called Elisabetta Franchi MOVES.
This collection was created with sports and physical activity enthusiasts in mind, who value not only their own comfort during exertion but also a flawless look. Comfortable leggings, sports shirts, and tops are perfect for the gym, outdoor training, and might even make physical activity a bit more enjoyable for you.