The Working Wardrobe: Gilda Ambrosio And Giorgia Tordini
You’ve likely seen the much-lensed duo splashed across street-style roundups, but what GILDA AMBROSIO and GIORGIA TORDINI are really known for is their cult-favorite Italian label, The Attico. Originally celebrated for their subversive take on eveningwear, they have since ventured – with aplomb – into new territories, including athleisure, swimwear, and now a set-to-be iconic line of handbags
With a combined Instagram following of more than one million, it’s hard to overstate the influence that Italian designers Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini have had on contemporary fashion. Despite being founded just five years ago, their label, The Attico, has quickly reached cult status – with its signature brand of unabashed glamour sparking joy with industry insiders and arbiters of taste worldwide.
Although the duo, who met while studying at Milan’s most illustrious fashion schools (the Istituto Marangoni and Istituto Europeo di Design respectively), did stints working in magazines, consulting and, in the process, becoming two of the most influential figures on the street-style scene, they knew that, ultimately, design was where their true passion lay. After dreaming about working together for years, their eureka moment came when the friends were chatting in the back of a yellow cab, dashing between shows at New York Fashion Week. Over the next few sleepless and coffee-fueled nights, the brand was born and, since then, The Attico (Italian for penthouse) has been firmly on the ascent.
Despite the myriad milestones they’ve already hit, Ambrosio and Tordini agree that seeing how other women style their creations is one of the most thrilling aspects of the job. “It’s just so inspiring to see how they combine The Attico with the rest of their look,” enthuses Tordini. Of course, with the recent release of the label’s first official line of handbags, seeing their pieces out in the world is sure to become a more regular, if no less exhilarating, experience for the designers. Indeed, on the day of the launch, they were positively simmering with excitement: “We cannot wait to see the response,” Ambrosio beamed.
Read on to learn more about the genesis of the brand, its covetable new collection and, of course, the perennially chic pair’s style secrets…
“Our first collection was very much immersed in the world of retro evening dressing, but we don’t want to be wedded to just one aesthetic or concept
”Giorgia Tordini
Embellish liberally
Gilda Ambrosio: “We really wanted to complete our woman’s closet, so launching a proper handbag line was a natural next step for us – we’ve wanted to add one to The Attico world for quite a while now. Our graphic logo was the basis for this handbag collection. We took that base and developed it until we were experimenting with geometry and volumes. Each bag is named after a certain day of the week or time of the day; the idea was to show women that this collection works for every occasion. The ‘Monday’ bag is a smart, top-handle style that’s great for 9-5 dressing, while the ‘Friday’ is a mini bag, and the ‘Sunday’ is a more elongated shape. If I had to pick a favorite, I think I’d go for the oversized ‘8.30pm’ clutch. It’s such a special piece; a true statement accessory. Even if you pair it with the simplest of outfits, that bag will make your look.”
Take it easy
Giorgia Tordini: “We started The Attico with a collection of robes – in our eyes, a robe is the ultimate versatile piece. We’ve tried to keep that sense of ease at the heart of what we do; we want women to feel effortless and confident when they wear our designs, whether they opt for a sweater or a party dress.”
Embrace change
GT: “The Attico aesthetic has been evolving since day one. Our first collection was very much immersed in the world of retro evening dressing, but we don’t want to be wedded to just one aesthetic or concept. Our latest collections really speak to the decision we made to develop the label with more knitwear and denim – which both slot easily into any woman’s closet. We want to prove that The Attico can work 24/7, not just after dark. Ultimately, the goal is to make clothes and pieces that work for real life and complement our woman’s look and daily routine.”
Be inspired
GA: “Our inspiration really changes from season to season. Back when international travel was a given, we’d be really influenced by trips to cities like New York, Paris and Los Angeles – not least by the amazing vintage stores each of those cities have to offer. I really hope we can get back on the road soon. As we’ve spent the pandemic in Milan, we’ve had to look to new sources for inspiration. At times it’s been a challenge, but it does motivate you to look at things in a whole new way. This season, our approach has been a lot less conceptual. We’ve really been inspired by looking at the gaps in our own closets and thinking about which pieces we really want to wear.”
“We’ve really been inspired by looking at the gaps in our own closets and thinking about which pieces we really want to wear
”Gilda Ambrosio
Rethink after-dark dressing
GT: “We would never totally abandon partywear – we’re just searching for new ways to interpret and style it. For instance, pairing an ‘out out’ top with tailored pants, or layering a leather bomber jacket over a mini dress and pairing it with motorcycle boots to dress it down and add a cool edge. These small tweaks can make an after-dark look feel so much more effortless. Of course, Covid was one of the reasons we wanted to diversify our collections, but there are still really special evening pieces in the mix. We don’t want to lose that sense of glamour that we’ve become synonymous with – we just want to integrate it into your existing closet.”
Enjoy the journey
GT: “We’ve known from the minute we launched The Attico that we wanted to slowly carve out our own space within the fashion industry; to create a world for our woman. For now, we are just working on developing – and perfecting – our sartorial point of view before tapping into totally different fields. Rest assured, we’re cooking up some exciting stuff, but we’re also proud of all the career highlights we’ve already celebrated. This year alone, we’ve launched swimwear and this accessory capsule. Each one has been a new challenge; we push ourselves to the limit for every one of our special projects, which is what makes them so special. Each one is a risk, but it’s all worth it.”
“Ultimately, the goal is to make clothes and pieces that work for real life and complement our woman’s look and daily routine
”Giorgia Tordini