Earlier this year, my gay BFF, a closeted fashion fanatic, emailed me a link that contained a photo of certified boho babe Nicole Richie wearing a silky maxi dress in a beautiful subtle paisley print. His message read, “You would look good in a dress like this.” I may have doubted his style counsel, but I was sure about other things: Nicole Richie looked better as a brunette and I wanted the dress she was wearing. Badly. It was an Etro.
Best known for its airy bohemian dresses, boldly-colored pieces and signature paisley motif, Etro has been around for 40 years and has become almost synonymous with the “Made in Italy” label. As is evident from its kaleidoscopic patterns and dizzying prints, the brand initially started out as a textile house in 1968. It was only in the ‘90s that the company, finally, expanded into ready-to-wear, providing those caftan-like pieces, chic cardigans, shifts with ethnic prints and even leather goods. The label is even highly regarded for its men’s suits, tailored pieces that appear conventionally styled on on the outside only to reveal colorful prints on the fabric that line the collar and cuffs.
It’s really a brand for the audacious and confident, fashion-philes who can carry offbeat mixes of geometric patterns and tribal prints, who will boldly pair a brilliantly-printed silk robe over tailored pants or a wild, flowy scarf with a corporate suit. It’s not necessarily a hippie brand but rather one for people who embrace the ideals of la vie boheme: freedom, unconventionality and sartorial authenticity.
Even the other Hollywood celebrities who wear the label are spirited, independent women who shrug off criticism with cool disregard, a lift of an eyebrow and a quick swish of their silk Etro floor-sweeper: Halle Berry, Diane Kruger, Kate Bosworth, Beyonce Knowles, Fergie and Jennifer Lopez. You wouldn’t call any of these women wallflowers.
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Etro is exclusively available at Adora Department Store, Greenbelt 5.