«Like a blanket that always stays with you – it has sentimental values.» – Nicolò Oddi
Sometimes, it is fascinating how a fashion item can rise to fame in a short amount of time, mostly thanks to Instagram. One piece that has been spotted all over is an oversized cuddly cardigan handcrafted from 980 grams of Cariaggi cashmere. Created by Nicolò Oddi in dialogue with his sister and muse Carlotta in the beginning of 2016, luxury Italian label ALANUI is defined by its colorful jacquard knitwear that pays homage to Native-American iconography, focusing on this one style only. The production of one ethnic-style cardigan can take up to 11 hours.
Carlotta Oddi in her own design, a fringed pink jacquard-knit cashmere cardigan by ALANUI.
Carlotta Oddi herself steers a large part of that success – after all, she’s probably the label’s best testimonial. She’s admired by many for her individualistic look, which can also be seen in her 97,700 Instagram followers. It all started a few years ago when Carlotta flew to Hawaii with a large vintage cardigan in her suitcase, a gift from her brother Nicolò, a piece that became her travel companion and that inspired both siblings to create their own line.
TO SHOP ALANUI CARDIGANS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
This season the siblings have added for the first time sweaters with fringe, cardigans with hoods, ponchos, and small accessories like cashmere hats. Moreover they launched their first collaboration with the concept store Colette. Today, the must-have knitwear has spread like wildfire, selling worldwide across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Canada, and the USA. A statement of pure luxury that has inspired other designers to copy it.
ETRO seeked inspiration from ALANUI this season. I have to admit that I like those cardigans a lot and great news is that they are much cheaper. Who would have thought this?
From left to right: Fringed red intarsia wool cardigan, reversible intarsia blue wool-blend and jacquard jacket, reversible intarsia multi colored wool-blend and jacquard jacket
, and fringed black and white wool-jacquard cardigan
, all by Etro (all 40% off on sale).
By the way ALANUI means «large path» in the Hawaiian language. This might be a good omen, and it will carry them a long way further.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Alanui, Net-à-Porter and via Instagram @carlottaoddi
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht