A quest for original prints and patterns

Born in Milan in 1962, Jacopo Etro is the eldest son of Gimmo Etro, the founder of the historic eponymous Italian fashion house. Jacopo started developing his creative style as a child, when he would visit the family company’s archives, experimenting with fabric patterns and colour palettes. As a young boy he was fascinated by the many places and people he was able to explore and meet with his parents during their travels. He attended the prestigious Aiglon International School in Switzerland along with his two brothers Kean and Ippolito, before going on to study in London. In 1982 he joined the family company. Today, he heads up the home, textiles and accessories divisions. During his frequent trips around the world, especially to Asia, India, China and South America, he’s always looking for antique textiles to add to his amazing collection. His other passions include contemporary art and photography.

Craftsmanship comes from a specific manual technique acquired over time for the creation of pieces of particular quality, even unique. Design, on the other hand, is the result of a project in the mind. When craftsmanship and design coexist there is maximum creativity.

The craftsmanship of my work is found primarily in the study and research of original prints and patterns. Design, however, relates more to the idea of new furniture and furnishing collections: in this specific case, craftsmanship is then crucial for its handmade techniques.

Of course! We collaborate with various Italian handicraft companies for the creation of specific processes or objects. The hand painted ceramics are an example, but also the patchwork quilts in fabric and the Paisley patterns, rigorously handmade, of which our collections are rich.

Alberto Levi creates rugs on commission starting from his own idea of colour palette and/or design. For me, for example, he reproduced the ancient designs that we had in the archive or he created a striped rug, the result of my imagination. Ambrogio Carati creates custom brass handles and hangers; those found in my houses in Milan and Puglia are made by him.