Moscones make fashion a sister act
Marina Moscone admits she has always been obsessed with fashion. After studying at The New School’s Parsons School, the Vancouver creative made a name for herself in the fashion world — including a several-year stint as the design director at Peter Som — before creating her eponymous collection with her sister Francesca. Now based in New York, Moscone reflects on her inspiration and her esthetic.
Q When and why did you first get into fashion design?
A I don’t believe there was a particular reason or moment in time, it has just always been part of the trajectory of my life. Looking back, I’m sure people thought I was crazy, as everything for me growing up revolved around fashion — since I was three. I knew every designer, every collection and every milestone in fashion … before I hit the double digits. I watched Jeanne Beker host Fashion Television and Tim Blanks host Fashion File on Sundays like it was my religion.
Q How would you describe your design esthetic?
A My design esthetic is very much influenced by the woman I design for — a woman of strength and certainty who doesn’t need a lot of pomp and circumstance to look and feel beautiful. I think she always has this natural romantic poise, and regardless of her mood that particular season — whether it’s slightly rebellious or elegantly ethereal — my collections often infuse architectural silhouettes, rich fabrications and paired down texture with no unnecessary, over-designed excess. There is a real poetry in designing clothes that echo a woman’s characteristics.
Q What inspires you?
A I am based in New York, where the surroundings never cease to inspire. The places, the people, the buildings, the food and the culture, to name a few, are all a wealth of inspiration. I also travel frequently — an ongoing source of inspiration.
Q How did you time in Vancouver influence your sense of style or design?
A Vancouver was a real anchor towards understanding opportunity. Canada is a very culturally diverse, beautiful and accepting country. In Vancouver, I grew up with immigrant parents — an Italian father and South African mother. Vancouver afforded me what it afforded them, opportunity to work toward my dream.
Q What’s new for the season?
A For Resort 2018, you will see a lot of rich texture, sculptural silhouettes and a beautiful marriage of colour. I develop all of my fabrics myself with my mills in Italy, and everything is made in New York. I really have to have my hands in the whole process.