Success Stories

Lucia Chain

Lucia Chain is an Argentine-Italian designer based in Piedmont. She has a distinctive design aesthetic which is characterized by minimal, sophisticated, and raw elements. Lucia’s journey began with her studies in ‘Fashion & Textile Design’ at the University of Buenos Aires in 2013, followed by a specialization in ‘Sportswear Design’ in 2016, and further honing her skills in Fashion Business at ‘Instituto Marangoni Paris’ in 2018. 

Chain entered the fashion world in 2011 professionally, and by 2014, she already began to independently create designs that reflect her values of sustainability and inclusivity. Her daily activities range from project designing, drawing, cutting samples, sewing, experimenting with pigments and new colors, to engaging with suppliers and clients. She is also deeply involved in social and art investigations, ensuring that her work is not only creative but also socially responsible. 

Lucia’s designs are distinguished by their plant-based materials, zero-waste patterns, and genderfull fits. She draws inspiration from everyday life experiences, traveling, people she loves and arts such as photography, music, and poetry. When asked what message she would like to convey, she replied "Quality over quantity and the importance of plant-based materials - less plastics, more plants". This reflects her strong commitment to current societal and environmental topics. This can also be seen in her work since she focuses on emphasizing issues with fashion such as slavery and cheap labor. To avoid overproduction, her slow-produced and artisanal practices are produced only by order. Additionally, inclusion is at the heart of her work by proposing comfortable garments for free bodies made from noble and breathable materials.  

A key moment in Lucia’s career was her participation in the 2017 Fashionclash Festival and the first edition of Fashion Makes Sense. FASHIONCLASH was the first international event that recognized her potential, facilitating the internationalization of her brand. When thinking back on that day, Lucia notes “It was a long time ago, but I remember the long day before the show, the nerves, the anxiety, having flown from so far to show my work to the world…”. For her this event led to significant growth and validation.  

Looking at the future, Lucia hopes for a fashion industry that is inclusive, aware and supportive of new talents. Despite the challenges of starting from scratch and relocating her business from Buenos Aires to Italy, Lucia’s journey shows her passion and dedication to sustainable and ethical fashion. She would like to develop further her ability to be functional also in larger brand structures. Furthermore, she wishes to dedicate herself completely to the most artistic aspects of her brand.