My First Collection, Made In Italy

After finding inspiration in New York, taking a Caribbean pause in the Dominican Republic, and spending quiet time sketching in Sweden the next step was bringing those ideas to life.

A previous trip to London had also left a strong mark on me, and together these experiences shaped the main cities of inspiration for this collection: New York, London, Stockholm, and Rome.

The Beginning of the Design Process

Before bringing my first collection Made In Italy to life, I created graphic compositions to explore the colors, shapes, and details behind the designs. These visuals became part of the story, showing the inspiration that shaped the final pieces.

Graphic self-portrait exploring color, and creative expression

Graphic composition inspired by the energy and movement of the New York City subway

Graphic composition inspired by London’s style, and city energy

Graphic composition inspired by the energy and movement of the New York City subway

Graphic composition inspired by the energy and movement of the New York City subway

Graphic composition inspired by Rome’s history, architecture, and timeless beauty

Graphic composition inspired by the energy and movement of the New York City subway

Graphic composition inspired by Stockholm’s atmosphere and Nordic colors

Graphic self-portrait exploring color, and creative expression

Graphic studies of color, movement, and city inspiration

Rome: Where the Collection Came to Life

I began by visiting leather shops to select high-quality materials. Some of the leather came from the same suppliers used for iconic designs, including the Balenciaga Le City Bag.

Selecting leather in Rome for my first collection

The color palette behind the collection

Leather sourcing in Rome and the color palette behind the collection

I then worked with two Italian workshops specializing in bags and accessories, where skilled women artisans brought my designs to life, transforming sketches into handcrafted pieces.

Where the designs came to life

Where the designs came to life

Where the designs came to life

Where the designs came to life

Where the designs came to life

Where the designs came to life

A glimpse into the Roman workshop where artisans handcrafted my collection

Versatility in Design

Inspired by my upbringing, my travels through cosmopolitan cities like New York and London, and my years living in Rome and Stockholm, the collection reflects a layered journey.

Versatility became an important part of the collection. Some bags were designed as 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 pieces, allowing them to be assembled, transformed, and worn in smaller forms. The ability to mix different colors added another level of versatility.

Design from the Made in Italy Collection by Dariya Repina

Design from the Made in Italy Collection by Dariya Repina

Color palette behind the collection

Transformable bags with interchangeable colors

Transformable bags with interchangeable colors

Transformable bags with interchangeable colors

Transformable bags with interchangeable colors

Transformable bags with interchangeable colors

Transformable bags with interchangeable colors

The Vision Comes Together

With the collection complete, I wanted to create images that reflected its mood and aesthetic. Photographed in Rome, the collection came to life through the creative direction and styling of my talented friend Carolina Turra, who assembled an amazing team. Watching months of work come together during the photoshoot was an exciting and rewarding experience.

Dariya Repina Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

One-of-a-kind handcrafted leather boots

Fur Leg Piece and Shoes Designed for the Riccione Moda Italia competition

Photoshoot in Rome, directed and styled by Carolina Turra

Beyond Seasons

At first, I thought about my collections in a seasonal way, as many designers do. But over time, I realized that when a piece is made with quality and carries a story behind it, it can last for years and be worn in any season.

Strength and Structure

My second collection was created after I took my first collection to New York and came back to Rome. I wanted to continue exploring the idea of versatility while introducing heavier materials. Using nubuck and thicker leathers, I focused on strength, structure, and durability, creating pieces with a stronger fall and winter mood.

While the first collection explored lighter materials and colors often associated with Spring/Summer, and the second leaned toward Fall/Winter, neither collection was ever truly defined by seasons.

Dariya Repina Made In Italy Collection

Detachable piece from a 2-in-1 bag by Dariya Repina

2-in-1 leather bag by Dariya Repina

3-in-1 leather bag by Dariya Repina

Leather Bag by Dariya Repina

Leather and Denim Bag by Dariya Repina

Pieces from my second collection, exploring strength and structure

2-in-1 leather bag by Dariya Repina

2-in-1 leather bag by Dariya Repina

Details of how the bag attaches and detaches

Detachable piece from a 2-in-1 bag

Pieces from my second collection, exploring strength and structure

A Foundation for What Came Next

These two collections reflected my layered journey. I look back at these collections as part of my archive because they continue to serve as a foundation for new designs to come.

The story continues in the next post, From Italy to New York: The Collection's Next Chapter, where the collection moves into collaborations, press features, showroom representation, and store placements.