EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Riccardo Lamanna:
A Journey of Passion, Perseverance, and Creativity

Conducted by Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

1. Your roots in Puglia have played a significant role in shaping who you are today. How do you think growing up in a small town has influenced your approach to fashion and creativity?

The only resource a small town can offer is imagination. In every narrow, empty, and barren corner, I've always imagined something truly incredible and authentic. This can be so helpful because, objectively, the context is as simple as it is genuine. So, it can help spark your imagination, bringing with it the possibility of achieving anything you desire.

2. You mentioned that your curiosity became a key part of your creativity. Could you share an example of a moment or experience that particularly sparked your imagination?

When I was a child, I walked the alleys, and my fascination with the cultures of my homeland led me to dream. In every corner, I saw a small, imaginary shop with my name on the sign. I observed the veiled women participating in religious processions, and in that guise, I found something truly fascinating and incredibly classy. Lace, tulle, chiffon — all so damn beautiful.

3. From working behind the scenes of Italian TV to walking the red carpets of Venice, how did those early experiences prepare you for the challenges of the fashion industry?

Initially, I was very awkward, a little shy, and fearful. I thought no one would care how I felt about this experience. Time has taught me determination and challenged all my insecurities, making the experience a great gift. So, the key to success has definitely been knowing what I want and what I don't want.

4. Fashion design requires a mix of technical skills and artistic vision. How did your time at IED Moda Lab in Milan shape your understanding of both these aspects?

During my time at the IED Moda Lab, I was certainly exposed to incredible teaching and rigor, giving me the best knowledge I could have learned. I was young, so I took everything rather lightly and with little awareness. Over time, my approach to the professional world had a significant impact on me. The daily interaction with tailors and professionals taught me the importance of hard work. And I realize that even today, years later, this process continues to evolve, discovering new construction and work techniques every day.

Born on June 12, 1986, in the picturesque town of Canosa di Puglia, nestled in the southern Italian region of Puglia, Riccardo Lamanna’s story is one of determination and artistic passion. Though his early days began in a small town, his dreams soon grew far beyond its borders, leading him to Milan, the bustling fashion capital of Italy, where he has since built a life and career.

Growing up in Puglia, Riccardo credits the love and support of his family, alongside the challenges of life in a small town, for instilling in him strength, determination, and an insatiable curiosity. “The difficulties of a small town made me stronger and hungrier, and they certainly made my curiosity the most interesting creative part,” he reflects.

Riccardo's deep attention to detail and heartfelt connection to the world around him were evident from a young age. Whether observing objects or understanding people, his sensitivity to his surroundings became the foundation of his creative journey. “I believe my creativity brought out my passion for fashion,” he shares.
Riccardo's professional path began in the dynamic world of entertainment. From working behind the scenes of Italian television to stepping onto the red carpets of the Venice Film Festival, these experiences laid the groundwork for his future in fashion. His academic pursuits further solidified his creative ambitions. After attending the Filippo De Cecco Italian Cuisine Academy, Riccardo shifted focus to fashion, graduating with a degree in Fashion Design from the prestigious IED Moda Lab in Milan.
Through hard work, discipline, and meeting the right people at the right time, Riccardo has transformed his passion into a thriving career. Today, he leads his own atelier in the heart of Milan, where creativity meets precision. Every morning, Riccardo and his team set out to design not just clothing, but dreams for their clients. “I do a lot of research and am very attentive to details, which always make the difference,” he says.
Riccardo's journey is marked by achievements in cinema, entertainment, and fashion. However, his proudest accomplishment remains the creation of his atelier, a space that embodies his dedication to craftsmanship and artistry. Looking ahead, Riccardo has ambitious plans. On March 1st, during Milan Fashion Week, he will unveil his Autumn/Winter '25/26 women’s collection—a grand event featuring celebrities and a newly renovated style office to accommodate his growing team.
While Riccardo is deeply committed to his work, he believes in maintaining a balance between his professional and personal life. “I completely separate the two, but I put the same commitment, love, and dedication into both,” he explains with a touch of humor, acknowledging his partner’s patience and support.
Above all, Riccardo hopes to be remembered for his sensitivity and respect toward the world and the people around him. “I hope my most beautiful part can always shine through: my sensitivity, respect for everyone, and true love for everything,” he says.

With his unwavering dedication, creative vision, and a heart full of passion, Riccardo Lamanna continues to shape the world of fashion, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and everyone he meets.

INTERVIEW

5. Your Atelier in Milan represents the culmination of years of dedication. What was the journey like from launching your first designs to opening this space?

When I opened my first shop, everything was so new to me. Growing through experimentation was the most exciting thing there could be. New stimuli, new approaches to new people, and then the great challenge of making a name for yourself through your creations. You have to design them, you have to find the right combinations, you have to know how to explain them, and then you have to know how to sell and market them. You have to love them.
An incredible journey; my first customers were tourists from all over the world who came to visit Milan. They told me, "Beautiful, creative, original." I asked myself, "Really?" Not because I didn't believe it, but because it was new to me.
In the years that followed, this shop became a true and authentic atelier where you can still find real artisans sewing with needle and thread, making made-to-measure pieces, and creating the dress of your dreams — a place where you can consult with a stylist, choose yarns, fabrics, and accessories, drink a good coffee, and discuss the style best suited to your needs.

6. Attention to detail is a hallmark of your work. Can you walk us through your creative process from concept to final design? What inspires your design?

There's a key word that guides you on the right path: good taste. You always need to know when there's too much or too little; when the desire for detail is daring, and when the distinctiveness — for example, of a garment where construction and cut play a role — is simplicity.
The exactingness of each piece, what makes it magical and distinctive, comes from the love that went into imagining it. Sensitivity, pain, and introspection are fundamental details for the creative.
I bring great sensitivity and gratitude to everything around me — the streets, the markets, the street artists. Because it's through focusing on the noblest things and people that profound inspiration takes root.

7. You’ve mentioned the importance of meeting the right people at the right time. Can you share a story about someone who had a significant impact on your career?

A little bit of everyone, a little bit of no one. Always distinguish between the people who follow you and those who believe in you. You always end up having a large following, but the hardest thing is gaining trust and approval. I'm saved by the integrity of my family and their genuineness.
Sometimes I’m saved thanks to my "naiveté" — a positive term to say that I always see the good; to the strength of my partner Marco, to the presence of a dear person at my side who strongly believes in the love and commitment I have within myself and towards my work. She is a bit like my guardian angel. Thank you, Cristina.

8. The fashion industry can be demanding. How do you maintain your creative energy and ensure you stay inspired for each new collection?

I simply listen to my instincts. I try to be myself every day. I believe it's the most successful creative key. Sometimes you have to deal with the market and figure out how to design contemporary, successful collections that are both high-quality and marketable. But I don't feel any difficulty; it all comes so naturally to me.

9. Your upcoming women’s collection for autumn/winter ‘25/26 is a major milestone. What makes this collection unique, and what can your audience expect from the show?

It will be the greatest show of my life. What my audience will witness professionally recounts the experience, commitment, perseverance, and tenacity I've gathered over the years, as well as the losses, defeats, and even important milestones.
This is how I present my woman — manager and diva of life's major events. Contemporary and determined. Strong, willful, with a strong character. Constructed jackets, blazer dresses, straight shoulders, rigorous cuts and constructions. Lace, tulle, chiffon, cady, and silk. Boned bustiers and gala-worthy outerwear.
(This will now be the presentation I'll make in February 2026 with the women's Fall/Winter 26/27 collection in Milan during Fashion Week.)

10. Balancing professional success with personal life is no easy feat. What advice would you give to aspiring designers about maintaining this balance while pursuing their dreams?

The greatest success for each of us is to be authentic. Always do things with love, dare, and know how to stand out. And when something doesn't work, it's not the end of the game. It's simply a new opportunity to try again, and perhaps even better.
If there's someone great outside the door who tells you you can't do it, do it anyway. Think about it — maybe they could sit back and enjoy the show, because each of us, if we want, can have the opportunity to be.

Riccardo Lamanna collection FW25/26 Milano Fashion Week

Fashion designer: Riccardo Lamanna - @riccardolamanna -@riccardolamannaofficial
Photographers. Esmeck Simoes Netto - @esmeck
Lorenzo Corvaglia - @lorenzocorvaglia
Francesco Caccavo - @mediastreet_agencySupport/Assistant Marco Morelli - @markmore - Larisa Loja - @larisa_larisa_99
Models Agency by Valquiria - @valquiria_mendes
look @riccardolamanna - Belt @hermes
Riccardo Lamanna in Atelier, via Sant’Agnese 12 Milano