Paolo Carzana's 'Il Risotto' Collection Served at Dover Street Market
London-based sustainable fashion designer Paolo Carzana unveiled his Fall 2026 ready-to-wear line, 'Il Risotto,' across seven global locations of Dover Street Market. The collection, influenced by his aunt's teachings on risotto and the concept of 'cucina povera,' showcases hand-dyed pieces adorned with handwritten labels. Each store in London, Paris, New York, LA, and Tokyo offers a distinct color 'recipe.' Carzana, who hails from Cardiff with a Welsh mother and Italian father, incorporates elements from his family background, including his grandfather, a head waiter at Cafe Royal. Starting his journey at 19 at Westminster University, he has garnered support from the British Fashion Council. The line features sustainable bias-cut dresses, 'Open Heart' shirts, and trousers.
Key facts
- Paolo Carzana's Fall 2026 collection is titled 'Il Risotto'.
- The collection is available at Dover Street Market's seven stores in London, Paris, New York, LA, and Tokyo.
- Each garment is hand-dyed organically and labeled with a hand-written note styled like a waiter's order.
- The collection is inspired by 'cucina povera' and Carzana's aunt teaching him to make risotto.
- Each DSM store chose a unique color recipe: Paris (lemon, cavolo viola, walnut), London (tomato, squid ink, butter), New York (butter, prosciutto, saffron, gorgonzola), LA (butter, gorgonzola, mushroom, squid ink).
- Carzana was born in Cardiff to a Welsh mother and an Italian father from Piedmonte.
- His grandfather was head waiter at the Cafe Royal in London.
- Carzana received support from BFC NEW GEN grants and free studio space from Sarabande and the Paul Smith Foundation.
- The collection uses sustainable materials: cotton, peace silk, and georgette.
- Carzana's studio is a former school kitchen where he does natural dyeing.
- He uses mordanting with citric acid or vinegar to alter dye colors.
- This is his largest production run to date.
Entities
Artists
- Paolo Carzana
- Joseph Rigby
- Nasir Mazhar
Institutions
- Dover Street Market
- Westminster University
- British Fashion Council
- Sarabande
- Paul Smith Foundation
- Cafe Royal
Locations
- London
- Paris
- New York
- LA
- Tokyo
- Cardiff
- Piedmonte
- England
- Italy