Everything was designed to make the launch of Capasa’s new project as unemphatic and light-hearted as possible. “This is collection zero, quite rightly called ‘Before It Starts’. I’ve borrowed the timeless element of Costume National, which was a much more radical label, because those were more radical times, and moved towards a style that is more open to fusion and individualism. Essentially, what I used to do was create a kind of uniform. Nowadays, everything is much more varied and open,” said Capasa.
 
With Capasa Milano, the designer is tapping the classic Italian tailoring tradition, infusing it with a breath of fresh air and a contemporary feel. The collection notably features a series of superb oversize suit jackets, laser-cut, thermo-bonded and hand-finished in impeccable fashion. These elegantly styled jackets, in black or in strong hues like emerald green and ruby red, are matched with flowing trousers or skirts, making up sets that can be worn by either men or women.
 
All the items are indeed unisex, and featured in a wide range of sizes. A draped dress fits snugly on a woman’s body, or can be slipped over men’s trousers like a tunic. The wardrobe gradually introduces a more casual, sportswear-style register, with items that are nevertheless quite upmarket thanks to the sophisticated architecture of their shapes, proportions and materials. The label pays a great deal of attention to fabrics, from taffeta to velvet, eco-nylon, silk crepe, Japanese denim and others, and “endeavours to use sustainable fibres as much as possible.”

The edges of a tweed jacket are left raw, a pea jacket features puffed sleeves, an apple green satin shirt slips into very high-waisted black leather trousers. Occasionally, one feels a little lost amidst the plethora of styles and characters within Capasa Milano. Only