Etro Takes Residency at Studio C in Montecito
Veronica Etro’s exuberant designs are affecting on any given day, but in this moment, a year after the start of the pandemic, her bold combinations inspired by the Italian Riviera feel transformative. Etro’s lush new spring ready-to-wear collection, with prints drawn from the house’s 1990s archives — paired with rope bags, canvas totes and bright sandals — lands at Studio C in the Montecito Country Mart for a month-long residency, launching with trunk shows held on April 10 and 11.
Etro says she found herself playing Neapolitan songs on a restored record player as she created the collection of breezy seaside looks given a nautical twist with rope motifs, shells, anchors and summer stripes. Lightweight twill blazers top printed skirts made with archival prints initially inspired by frescos from Italian palazzos. A playful flag print from 1992, the Bandiere da Parata, is now a flowing skirt. The palm tree-strewn Albero delle Meraviglie print from 1993 tops a cotton belted maxi skirt. Elegant graphic foulard prints from 1994 and 1995 including the Trionfi e Soffitti and Palais Jamais brighten tossed-on looks.
A printed bikini in shades of aqua and turquoise blue paired with Bermuda pants, patchwork button-down shirts with multiple clashing paisley designs (an Etro signature), plus flowing tunics — particularly in the most vibrant shade of red — and upcycled denim all foster an elevated look that’s refreshingly uncomplicated. Utilitarian cork sandals with printed straps and bold metallic buckles plus woven belts with similarly eye-catching closures round out a refreshingly sweats-free collection.
“Etro’s lush new spring ready-to-wear collection lands at Studio C in the Montecito Country Mart for a month-long residency, launching with trunk shows held on April 10 and 11”
Knotted silk scarves worn as micro tops are a genius take on Riviera summer style, as are bustier tops paired with straight or tiered skirts in romantic sorbet-like shades of turquoise, mint, lime yellow, salmon, orange and lavender shot through with maritime hues of blue, red and white. Also new this season are the monochromatic paisley motifs. Etro even created a new logo character, the Pegasus-Triton, emblazoned on sporty cropped knit vests worn atop crisp striped shirts. This transporting jolt of elegant-yet-accessible Italian style couldn’t have come at a better time. 1016 Coast Village Rd., Montecito.
