World of Whimsical: A DREAMER...

ANTONIO MARRAS You have probably heard of him thanks to his long collaboration with Kenzo. A Sardinian born Antonio Marras is a designer one of its kind. A dreamer, a romantic, a visionaire, an artist.

Antonio Marras was born in Alghero in 1961. He literally grew up in his father's textiles' shop in Rome and that's where his passion for outstanding fabrics has started. He created his first collection in 1988, named "Piano Piano Dolce Carlotta" after Robert Aldrich's 60. horrors. 11 years later he has started his own label under his own name.

Floral prints and patchworks have their sources in folklore and tradition. Antonio Marras is a master of making them sensual, modern and desireable.

A modern twist of tradition, folklore and nature made Antonio Marras a serious candidate for the art director position at Kenzo. In 2004 he was appointed for the job by LVMH. Still, despite his great success, he had decided to remain in his house in Sardinia where he has been looking for an inspiration. Avoiding the "high life" so popular among big designers, he focused on his work and family.

"West meets East" with a touch of Italian heritage became Antonio Marras' DNA at Kenzo. Ethnic fabrics cut on modern but feminine shapes, vibrant colours coming from Japanese traditional pailette, mix of prints and great shows being a spectacle of their own - that's what made him one of the most outstanding contemporary designers. Antonio Marras' work for both his label and Kenzo have always been a creation of rich fantasy, proving that fashion can be a romantic thought, an enchanting vision of natural and not an obvious beauty.

One of the most stunning collections created by Antonio Marras for Kenzo. "Midsummer Night's Dream" met "The Secret Garden" with the delicate floral prints, floating transparent richly embroidered fabrics and models looking like wood elves coming from enormous books. Emiliana Torrini's "Dead Duck" soundtrack mixed with original "The Secret Garden" movie samples made altogether a magical effect.

Six months ago Antonio Marras' contract at Kenzo has terminated. He was replaced by Opening Ceremony's duo Humberto Leon and Carol Lim. There were many speculations about the change. Most of them were focused on low sales at Kenzo. Fortunately the collection for his eponymous label shown for fall/winter 2012 was a great prove that Marras is in his best condition.

Beautiful fabrics and ultra feminine versatile pieces. An inspiration for the collection was a Milanese singer Milly from the first half of XX century.

Currently he's working on two brands: main Ready-to-Wear Antonio Marras and casual I am Isola Marras.