Max Kibardin is ready to take on America - After a year at the creative helm of Bruno Magli, the designer and his team are preparing to make a major stateside push with the 76-year-old brand.
From relaunching the women's division to crafting a new retail concept and tweaking the brand's logo, Kibardin has revamped the label from top to bottom. The industry is starting to see Bruno Magli as a fashion brand, and that's great for us, said the creative director. A major part of the U.S. plan includes a dramatic women's revamp. For the pre-fall launch, the looks are made using a variety of materials, such as pony hair and suede, and come in bold colors and prints such as purple, green and leopard. Our woman is a working woman and she needs to have comfort during the day, Kibardin said, but the line is also a bit luxurious. He noted that some of his major design influences come from Old Hollywood glamour. The 1950s, '60s and '70s were elegant years, and they are big inspirations when I'm working on the collections, he said. Freshening up the men's line is also a priority for Kibardin, who wants to play up the heritage, while giving the brand a modern twist. With the new direction, the company aims to re-establish a branded retail presence in the U.S. market. After several starts and stops in the U.S., Bruno Magli is actively searching for a New York location — preferably on Madison Avenue — that it hopes to open by the end of the second quarter of next year. And three to five more U.S. stores could debut within the next five years. I'm very excited for the future, he added. The U.S. market will be very important for the company.

fonte: ICE