DESIGNER Focus

You have been the Dolce&Gabbana global brand ambassador for Alta Moda since 2012, and you’ve also featured in the brand’s first advertising campaign amongst other highlights. Tell us how you wait to start travelling again! As an icon of Mediterranean femininity you have earned the title of ‘The Catwalk Contessa’ after lighting up the runways of many major fashion houses. How do you feel about such an accolade? Being Dutch I always find it quite ironic that I’m considered an ‘Icon of Mediterranean femininity’. I guess having lived in Italy and Spain for so many years rubbed off on me! You believe that the Alta Moda brand is one of the sustainable realities in this rapidly changing world. Tell us how integral this ongoing initiative is and why. Alta Moda is not a brand, it’s a philosophy, a way of life. From its conception to the delivery of an order it is a long process which involves not only the dedication and patience of the client, but the dedication and love for detail and perfection of all the people involved in creating such a one-of-a-kind piece. Alta Moda is truly unique as it offers wearable art that will last a lifetime and sustains a small industry of expert artisans whose craft and knowledge was on the verge of being lost. This process starts with the Designers and the “vendeur” listening to the client’s wishes and getting to know the individual well. The Designers then translate all this information into their own unique vision, which then goes into the expert hands of the pattern cutter, the “premiere”, the seamstresses and the embroiderers, who at the same time are passing on their knowledge to a new generation of artisans.

What does a typical day in the life of Marpessa look like? Before anything I’m a mother first so I make sure that my teenage daughter starts her day with a healthy breakfast and that we end our day having quality time together or at least a chat! In between there are lots of phone calls, getting used to google meetings, brainstorming with our team and I can’t feel being part of the D&G family and legacy.

I feel very lucky that my friendship with the Designers and their family has endured for over three decades. It is quite rare in the fashion world. It is very rewarding that my role in the company is now more behind-the-scenes, as it gives me lots of opportunities to learn new aspects of the business and to dialogue with clients, business partners and our staff around the world. In March you visited Doha to partake in a D&G photoshoot at Katara Cultural Village where you featured SS20 modest looks suitable for the region. Why should our readers be excited about this particular edit?

It is a very personal take on my personal style and therefore gives a glimpse into how I mix-and-match different elements of the collection. Tell us why you love this region in particular.

This was actually my first visit to Qatar! Since I was a little girl, I listened to the tales of Arabian Nights, I have always had a fascination for this part of the world and what really makes me fall for the Middle East is the generosity of its people, the richness of their culture, and I’m addicted to the cuisine. You are renowned for your long-standing close relationship with Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. How did you first meet?

We became friends 35 years ago after we met at a disco in Milan where all the cool kids hung out. From then on, we’ve bonded over our mutual love for music, dancing and fashion of course!