How It’s Made: Lisa Corti, Milan

"The inspiration may come from anything….Everything is designed by us in Milan." Ida Corti, CEO and Creative Director explains. "Then we usually work in India several month a year to follow the wood block carving of the new designs and then the color matchings which need to react by drying in the sun to show the final colour. Once the prototype is confirmed we start producing the samples. It’s a long and fascinating process full of unpredictable happenings. The whole process is heavily influenced by weather and the printing of each piece varies according to the humidity in the air. The result it’s always a surprise!"

Lisa Corti's diverse range of fabrics, like the vibrant colors and captivating scents of a bazaar, each possess their own unique characteristics - from wool, silk, and cotton to muslin, malmena, mushroo, bandhani, mal mal khadi, chintz, and calico. The pigments in each fabric express themselves differently, and each fabric reacts differently depending on its intended purpose, which is why every product is the result of extensive research and experimentation. However, even in the world of fabrics, there is one special love for Lisa - her love for organza. She fondly recalls the vivid hues of Indian markets in Eritrea and how the delicate fabric would radiate a weightless, ethereal glow in the African sunshine.