Blumarine And Creative Director Nicola Brognano Part Ways

Nicola Brognano is exiting Blumarine after four years as creative director. A successor has not been named. Brognano helped to breathe new life into the Italian fashion label, which hit a peak in the 1990s but lost traction in the 2010s. His debut collection for Blumarine – which revived the Y2K aesthetic it was once known for, with colourful crop tops, low waisted trousers and an iconic butterfly motif – went viral on TikTok. Its runway show last September was one of the hottest tickets in Milan.

“We are very happy with the work Nicola Brognano has done so far,” said Marco Marchi, founder of Eccellenze Italiane (the holding company that acquired Blumarine parent company Blufin Group in 2019) in a statement announcing his departure. Blumarine is the biggest brand in the Blufin portfolio, which also includes contemporary line Blugirl, childrenswear label Miss Blumarine and upmarket womenswear brand Anna Molinari. “Nicola has successfully interpreted Blumarine’s DNA, presenting it in an original and contemporary key and thus reviving sector and customer interest in the brand,” Marchi added.

Brognano began his career at Giambattista Valli after graduating from Milan’s Istituto Marangoni, eventually launching his own brand. In 2016, his eponymous label won Vogue Italia and Altaroma’s “Who is on Next” competition. Brognano’s brand has been put on pause since he joined Blumarine.

“Working as Blumarine’s creative director, a brand I have always followed with keen interest, has been profoundly enriching on a professional, creative and personal level,” said Brognano in a statement. “Shining the spotlight once again on the brand has been a unique and thrilling experience. I would like to thank Marco Marchi for this opportunity and my team for the extraordinary work we have done together.”