Antonio Marras discusses miracles, boars and women overcoming obstacles

MILAN — "It's a kind of miracle," says Antonio Marras.

The Italian designer is still marveling at the opportunities available to him following the acquisition in September of a majority stake in its eponymous brand by Gruppo Calzedonia.

"No other investor had grasped the essence of the brand before, nor had it approached with equal respect and care for what we had done,” the designer said, speaking at his NonostanteMarras concept store here, ahead of his co-ed show on Wednesday.

He recalled that he had met many potential investors over the years, but the chairman of Gruppo Calzedonia, Sandro Veronesi, seemed to him "a visionary, pragmatic with great intuitions, but very rational at the same time and he was intrigued by this universe. For years I worked to keep the brand clean, honest and concrete , defending it so that it remains intact."

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Marras admitted the deal might "seem like madness, we're worlds apart, with courses different, different careers and he achieved global success when I feel like I haven't fully expressed myself yet.”

Certainly Veronesi has built a group that last year exceeded a turnover of 3 billion euros, has 5,328 stores and controls respectively the underwear, tights and beachwear brands Calzedonia, Intimissimi and Tezenis, as well as the knitwear brand Falconeri; the Atelier Emé bridal line and the wine merchant Signorvino. Last year, exports accounted for 58.5% of revenues and investments amounted to around 280 million euros.

"Independence comes at a cost," acknowledged concept designer and artist Marras, who doesn't never denied the financial difficulties he encountered when setting up his business. "We've always done everything on our own, finance is another job, one I never wanted. I can draw a bridge, but to build it you need an engineer," he said. humbly.

Veronesi "is direct and dynamic, in less than a month the deal was done. I hates indifference and anyone who doesn't take a stand. If you don't take action, you can't make mistakes, but you won't get any results and achieve any goals. I can't stand this. "

He praised Veronesi's intuition in diversifying the group, and he conceded that the agreement with the Calzedonia group will allow its brand to have more contractual power and to be able to expand its production and offer. Marras continues to design his eponymous brand, which includes clothing, accessories, furniture and design objects inspired by his art.

"I always work, it's my obsession. I hate Sundays and holidays and now he there is still more work to do," Marras enthused. "I even marvel at how committed I am still and how much I love this work. fabrics,” he said with a smile, the quick conversation reflecting his excitement.

"We get to know each other, work together, understand each other's personality and characteristics, but we share the same goals," said Veronesi, who has structured a new organization [that] will strengthen and streamline the production and distribution of the brand and aim for on-time deliveries. He is also creating a managerial structure, appointing the son of Antonio, Efisio Rocco Marras, general manager of the company.