Founded in 2002, Forte Forte is a women's label specialising in delicate silk garments and accessories, headed by brother and sister Paolo and Giada Forte. In an attempt to highlight the brand's dedication to artisanal craft, for 2011, they chose to
"Mantero is a family-run textiles company based in Como who has over 100 years of experience, passed through four generations of the family; today the third and forth generations are supported by experienced technicians and craftsmen. As well as the factory, there is the Mantero Library which showcases the company's silk jacquard and printed cottons, wool, lace, tapestry, carpets, embroidery and velvets. The people are fantastic and incredibly knowledgeable. Como is a beautiful old town situated at the southern tip of the south-west arm of Lake Como. It's where all the printed silks where made in the 18th century; there are numerous works of arts, churches, public gardens and palaces. It is a very special and magical place where you can really 'breathe' in the history. I find it very inspiring – my references are deep-rooted in history; for the first collection [pictured] I had in mind early Renaissance painters such as Botticelli. Its proximity to the Swiss and French borders, meant the city was one of the first places in Italy that became a popular for people to visit and discover. I first visited when I was nine-years-old – I remember being enchanted by the lake, the buildings, the mountain backdrop and the secret gardens. We want to continue these projects and have the next manufacturer in mind which is equally inspiring."
Founded in 2002, Forte Forte is a women's label specialising in delicate silk garments and accessories, headed by brother and sister Paolo and Giada Forte. Fabric and their Italian homeland are central to their work – their grandmother, a "brilliant technician with an entrepreneurial attitude", opened a knitwear factory at the end of the world war which their mother took over. Inspired by their relatives experiences and successes, Guida and Paolo set up their own company, focused on creating simple clothes using well-sourced fabrics. Based in the north of Italy, the company are a small team, with the siblings closely involved in research, development, production and manufacturing. From the beginning, the pair have worked with small, local factories who use traditional craftsmanship techniques. In an attempt to highlight the brand's dedication to artisanal craft, for 2011, they chose to create two special capsule collections partnering with one carefully selected Italian manufacturer, Mantero.
Forte Forte's Mantaro collection for autumn/winter is sold at stockists including Matches, The Shop at Bluebird in London and Barneys in New York.
Text by Laura Bradley
