MY NINE: INK-P

The duo behind the hip clothing brand share their Florence

Ink-P Florence

The minute you enter the Ink-P showroom in Florence, you are overwhelmed by the array of colours in-store. Racks of bright neons, pinks, and azure blue boldly announce themselves with graphics in the label’s signature style. Designers by trade, Giulia Castagnoli and Antonio Fugazzotto, create contemporary patterns screen-printed onto fabric before being made into t-shirts, dresses, and stylish jackets, ideal for modern styling.

Giulia met Antonio during her second interview at a creative agency, and a creative buzz was ignited. However, the idea of being stuck between “cramped office walls and rigid ideas” was not their future. Instead, they had dreams of worldly adventures around the globe. So, a year after working together, they packed their bags and took off on a 12-month trip, heading counterclockwise around the world: their final destination – Australia.

They desired to “recharge our energy and creative freedom to start something new and unexpected”. Roaming around the streets of Brazil and Argentina, settling for a time in Sydney, then exploring the awe-inspiring natural beauty of New Zealand, the organic elements of nature, its textures, patterns of animals and plants, the unique interplay of hues and shapes, and an explosion of colour was to shape their creative and fashion future.

Returning to Florence, the duo established Ink-P, an independent fashion business where Giulia designs the graphics and Antonio screen prints these flowing patterns by hand in the back of their workshop in San Frediano. Graphics are printed on fabrics including leather to make t-shirts, sunglasses, bags, and shoes, all with their trademark striped yet fluid designs. As they hand print and sew every item, each piece is unique. So how do two creatives spend time in Florence when not designing their fashion-forward “art” at Ink-P? Find out as they share their NINE.

1. Galleries I Love

Carta Vetra on via Maggio is fantastic. It is run by Brunella Baldi and a collective of young artists. At the entrance, they house the most recent exhibitions. At the back of the space is a lovely large room for arts, crafts, and illustration lessons. Decorated with designer furniture, in the centre is a huge table surrounded by books filled with craft tools. The space has a warm atmosphere, and you can′t leave the gallery without booking a course as long as you wish to stay as long as possible.

2. For A Perfect Dinner

A great location that offers good organic food and wines, fresh pasta dishes, and excellent service is Vivanda. We love Alessandro when he is there; it is our favourite place to go. He always has an entertaining story to share and a unique ability to understand clients and make them feel welcome. The restaurant is small, but it′s nice to share a big table with others and meet new and exciting people. They have an extensive wine selection, which also helps!

3. For A Sweet Treat

Dolci e Dolcezze by Piazza Beccaria. When I came to Florence, it was the first place where I could find high-quality cakes that come in small portions; I love them. A favourite is topped with chocolate or berries, with a base of frolla and cream. I also love Gelateria della Passera, the tiny ice cream shop in the piazza of the same name, where they make natural sorbets from fruits without using chemicals or too much sugar. It′s tiny, so sometimes you need to join the queue because the store can only fit two to three people. Piazza della Passera is a great meeting spot with Cafe degli Artigiani, a great venue where they host live music on the second floor.

4. My Florence Style

First, you can find high-quality raw materials and excellent manufacture in Florence. I love to buy clothes and accessories that are handmade and slow fashion from artisans. Also investing in products and know many artisans’ stories. I like to have a unique piece made with great passion and love and to support Florence′s artisan community.

5. Favourite Shopping Stores

The best shopping areas are Santo Spirito and San Frediano. The studios and shops are often together (showroom at the front, workshop at the back) and hidden in old historic buildings. I like the area because you can still find old-style Florentines. Often you feel like you′re in a small town seeing friends in the streets, or they come to visit you and spend some time in our store. You feel part of a big family.

6. For Sunset Cocktails

Close to the old walls in Porta San Frediano is Santarosa Bistrot. They also cook great food, but the best time is for aperitivo, where you can drink a great cocktail outside in a leafy space surrounded by 14th-century walls. In the summer, they often have live music, so you can relax in a seat or sit on the grass as the sun sets. A fantastic place for summertime.

7. For Art & Culture

Live music at Aurora in Piazza Tasso is fantastic. The cocktails are special; in the summer, they extend the bar to have outside seating overlooking the piazza. In wintertime, music is performed inside. The owners are contemporary and host young, experimental, alternative musicians. After a long workday, we like to pop there to relax or sometimes to dance.

8. Favourite Green Space

We like to spend time in the garden of Villa Strozzi, especially in the springtime. The garden is filled with beautiful trees and fragrant flowers everywhere! It′s a little further from Florence′s centre, so you find locals walking their dogs or taking a stroll. Sometimes, we go for immersive yoga lessons – the bird sounds and the fragrance of flowers make for a very relaxing experience.

9. Escape To The Countryside

We like natural springs, and although it is not so close to Florence, it′s worth the drive, Bagni di San Filippo. In the summertime, you can enter the woods and find a little place in the sulfuric pools full of white water. Once, with a friend, we were immersed in the pool and didn′t notice the time passing. Before we knew it, we were in darkness with many fireflies around us; it was magical!

inkpdesign

INK-P Florence
INK-P Florence
INK-P Florence
INK-P Florence

Photo © Nardia Plumridge

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