ON THE HORIZON

Stefano Ricci’s spring/summer 2019 range embodies a penchant for the pelagic

Shifting from the prehistoric troglodyte dwellings of Matera in southern Italy that served as the backdrop for the brand’s previous collection, Stefano Ricci shot its latest campaign on the rugged island of Montecristo in the Tuscan Archipelago. There was talk of The Count of Monte Cristo, and even the uniformed Carabinieri (a branch of the Italian military with police duties) were invited on board our borrowed superyacht to explain the island’s unique and protected status.

This season’s take on quintessential Italian style stemmed from an appreciation of pristine, uncorrupted horizons. Yachting references include silk jackets, ultrafine cashmere and wool in ocean-inspired hues, and water- and windproof items that nod to the sports and casual wear sectors that have flourished in recent years.

Matt crocodile jackets are light and soft. Bolts of sunset orange and Syrah red evoke sunsets on the water, all underscored by sandy whites for a sense of levity and light. Explaining SS19’s inspirations and aesthetic, Filippo quotes from Charles Baudelaire’s Man and the Sea and entertains us with mythical stories of Poseidon. As with everything at Stefano Ricci, it’s a story of man and adventure, and above all, power.