Puglia, Italy— a spot that’s either sitting pretty on your bucket list or the crown jewel of your “you must go here” recommendations to friends and family. Who knew this dreamy little part of the world isn’t just about olive groves and trulli houses? Well, say hello to the Apulian Runway Experience! It’s only their second year, but after witnessing the sheer talent and craftsmanship firsthand, I’m convinced this under-the-radar style hub deserves its time in the spotlight.
Using Ostuni as our base, we kicked off the experience with a trip to Lecce for the opening night womenswear catwalk. All of the designers boasted a unique brand identity which must have been why they were chosen, but a few of my favourites were NANALEO and Maria Teresa Pellegrino.
NANALEO, the brainchild of designer Ivana Pantaleo, has been redefining eco-luxury since 2011 with her dopamine colored knitwear. Think organic, toxin-free fabrics dyed with plant-based, eco-friendly materials that flatter the female form and keep the planet happy. But wait – it gets even better, Ivana isn’t just about sustainability; she’s spearheading an ‘agricultural fashion’ revolution. Picture this: flax fields, hemp crops, dye plants and even silkworms (who I assume are treated like royalty for their cruelty-free silk), all thriving in Puglia. She’s not just designing clothes, she’s cultivating a more ethical future for fashion, one stitch at a time.
Maria Teresa Pellegrino’s collection captures the enchantment of the wind and the sea. When talking about the collection, Mariateresa states, each piece feels “infused with the magic of a land kissed by the sun and caressed by waves, as if woven by the sirens themselves”. Talk about selling it! Her brand champions slow fashion, with every garment crafted in limited quantities using top-tier Italian artisanship. Sustainability takes centre stage with every scrap of fabric finding a purpose to keep waste at a minimum. The collection itself was a luscious mix of silks, sequins and Puglia’s traditional macramé technique – with the result of wearable whispers of the Mediterranean.
The next day, we made our way to Martina Franca for a captivating talk on The Future Space of Fashion which touched on the exciting innovations coming out of Puglia and how to become relevant in an ever-changing socially driven world. The panel featured some absolute powerhouses, including Daniele Del Genio, President CNA Puglia; Flavio Augusto Gentile, CEO di Rea Space; Taiwo Meghoma, Fashion Director and Apulian Runway Experience Ambassador; and Bernard Garby, the host of Fashion News and UK Media’s 30 Under 30, to name a few.
After listening to Flavio Augusto Gentile discuss how he has designed spacesuits that effectively counteract the effects of microgravity on an astronauts’ body and that he wants to bring fashion to the astronaut, I was sold. Send me to space! He created REA Space in 2022 and has since won countless awards and even has a contract for his spacesuits with Space X founder, Elon Musk. The anticipation for his catwalk show was sky high and it did not disappoint! As the spacesuits hit the runway it was clear to see his vision come to life.
Another standout on the runway? The wonderfully talented Michele Gaudiomonte, founder of Gaudiomonte Couture. Growing up in his mother’s tailor shop, Michele’s passion for fashion was stitched into his DNA from the start. With a career filled to the brim with accomplishments and achievements, it’s no surprise his designs are fit for the red carpet. Each piece is impeccably crafted, bursting with stunning details and unique elements that make every creation a true wearable work of art.
The next few days took us to the medieval charm of Mesagne and the seaside splendour of Bari, home to Italy’s longest promenade. Both were so stunning that I’ve already vowed to return – even if it’s just for these two gems alone! Here we met with even more talented designers, with different specialities including shoe maestros Calzoleria Marini and Lino Bagnara, both brands proving Italian craftsmanship really does start from the ground up. And let’s not forget well constructed RTW collections from tailoring expert KOD5 and Woo, the rainwear brand who are in the business of making downpours look chic for you and your four legged friend. Safe to say, my Christmas list is a mile long after this trip.
I’ll confess, Puglia was already on my travel wish list, so, when the invite came in for the Apulian Runway Experience, I knew I had to go and see what all the fuss was about. Spoiler alert: it absolutely blew me away! By the end, I couldn’t help but wonder – why isn’t Puglia already a go-to hotspot for fashion with its exquisite designs and expert craftsmanship? Watch out Milan, it’s like the world’s best-kept fashion secret – just waiting for the recognition it deserves.
Within this article, I’ve named only a handful of the gorgeous brands that showcased their collections, but a full list can be viewed here: apulianrunway.com/en/are-edition-2024.
