A great eye for color and a knack for experimenting with fabrics are undoubtedly great assets, but Carolina Castiglioni is proving that the most valuable thing is consistency. She may operate discreetly and away from the spectacle of fashion weeks, but her quirky blend of workwear, sartorial elements and subtle femininity are increasingly making Plan C synonymous with urban sophistication.
Their fall 2024 collection offered another big push in this direction, reinforcing their unique and cohesive point of view with many pieces desirable for their sense of ease and refinement.
Featuring vibrant colors of red, tobacco, yellow and black, inspired by the work of Italian artist Alberto Burri and a visit the designer made to the Fondazione Burri in Città di Castello last year, the range was based on geometries and new juxtapositions of textures.
Rectangular shapes informed the constructions of miniskirts and dresses, with the former featuring a panel that could wrap around the body for a minimalist look or let down like a train for added drama. In the same vein, workwear was made from duchess satin to give a brighter look to the graphic silhouettes, which often came with matching scarves or untied bow ties.
Men's dress codes also received a twist, as seen in a herringbone wool coat reworked with a utilitarian appeal and cut at the sides to give a peek at what's underneath. Elsewhere, the same fabric was used for textured costumes adorned with fun pins. There were flowier alternatives with pinstripes that conveyed a cool, relaxed attitude.
Castiglioni presented a yellow jacket with a waterproof rubber zipper; pajama sets that resemble regular striped cotton but with a paper-like texture; jackets and cardigans covered in pony fur with a bourgeois touch, and a standout white shearling coat that exudes warmth with its enveloping shape.
The more feminine proposal was also very attractive, from chiffon dresses embroidered with mohair threads for a textural effect to skirts with bias-cut panels and a fluid tangerine dress that recalls the same construction.
Castiglioni also dipped its toe into accessories, including jewelry and new bags, as well as expanding the footwear range with equestrian-inspired boots, pointed-toe ballet flats and quilted utility boots in collaboration with Diemme.
