Fast fashion resistor

Models walk the runway at Giada's 2015 autumn/winter collection themed as the "Deconstruction of Modern Art".[Photo provided to China Daily]

Sharing the minimalist aesthetics of Gaida, with an eye for details, luxury materials and supreme craftsmanship, Colangelo says it is very natural to pursue a joint collaboration with the brand.

He says he is giving Giada a younger and more contemporary touch, finding his inspiration in modern art.

"I love to design for women who are aware of their femininity without having to show it too much, women who appreciate the details and seek discreet luxury that may not be visible at first glance. These are women with a certain type of cultural background and special sensitivity," says Colangelo, 40.

Colangelo, who majored in antique literature at university, won a fashion stylist scholarship in a competition organized by the Italian National Chamber of Fashion. He then designed for Versace and Cavalli, among other luxury houses. In 2008, He went on to win the "Who's on Next" prêt-à-porter award, a competition initiated by Vogue Italia. The same year, he launched his namesake brand, which had a show in Milan Fashion Week.

Last year, he became the only Italian designer to be the finalist of the first LVMH Young Fashion Designer prize, receiving even more attention.

Born into a family of luxury furriers, Colangelo says he grew up in a world where craftsmanship and quality matter more than anything else. Now he sees the creation of new textiles as the most important part of his job.

"It requires a lot of time and experiments to find the best solution, and, in a way, it is something that can make a dress unique and difficult to be reproduced by fast fashion," he says.

Apart from modern art, his design is also influenced by his daily experiences, especially by travelling.

"London, New York, Stockholm and Berlin are some of the capitals where I prefer to do my research, when I can."