Marco De Vincenzo: Sicilian Designer's Journey from Messina to Milan

Marco De Vincenzo, born in Messina in 1978, reflects on his journey from Sicily to Rome and Milan, where he established his eponymous fashion label. He recalls the 1,243-kilometer train ride from Messina Centrale to Torre Velasca in Milan as a pivotal departure. De Vincenzo chose Rome initially to stay close to home but now feels ready to loosen that tie. His aesthetic is layered, influenced by childhood memories of playing with water, which inspired his SS18 collection. He credits Silvia Venturini Fendi and the Fendi family for mentoring him, teaching him to dare and subvert. De Vincenzo's work is deeply connected to art, citing Antonello da Messina, Marina Abramović, and Emily Dickinson as influences. His FW 2018-19 collection paid homage to Antonello da Messina's paintings. He admires Christopher Kane's celebration of trash. De Vincenzo aims to launch a menswear line, seeing it as an antithesis to his womenswear. He will celebrate the tenth anniversary of his label with a collection at the next Milan Women's Fashion Week. His dream is to create an all-black collection that encapsulates his Roman beginnings, long journey, and return to Sicily.