My First Collection, Made In Italy
Updated: Jun 23
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.
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