About

The name of Olmes Carretti is associated with important aspects of young and youthful apparel from the 1980s and 90s: Best Company, Henri Lloyd, By American and others… These brands have become true status symbols, as they are unique pieces – sweatshirts, regatta jackets and t-shirts in jersey – with unique uses that express perfect technical characteristics. These garments were (and still are) produced and appreciated all over the world, and they have remained unique because of their quality materials, innovative technical solutions, particular graphic patterns and incomparable use of color. The product of over 30 years of experience with projects for countless firms, the design philosophy of Olmes Carretti has unfailingly revolved around the true demands of the market and the specific use to which the product will be put. After his debut with Spitfire jeans (1975 – 78), Carretti began a creative journey that resulted in successful brands which were conceived and developed from the strategic concept till the marketing. Soon to follow were S. Moritz (1976 – 79), By American (1979 – 82), Best Company (1982 – 92), American System (1985 – 92), II’s (1986 – 91) and Europemood (2005), as well as contributions to names such as Fiorucci (1977 – 78), Robe di Kappa (1978 – 79), Maggia – Gerulaitis (1979 – 80), Henry Lloyd (1986 – 91), Sperry Top-Sider (1986 – 88), Haas (1991 – 94), Hofer since 1995, and Devoid (1995 – 98), along with work on hand-woven wool rugs since 1999. “In the life of this European Italian from the Emilia region, a strong desire to understand other cultures has guided his decisions since childhood.  His trips to various continents were numerous and frequent, and his treks to India and China (where he would return regularly) in the 1970s played a strong formative role for the young designer. His contact with Eastern thought enabled him to fathom the true spiritual essence of Man and the gist of the laws that govern every form of life.  Day by day, this thought took concrete form in his attention to Nature and its cyclic events, which was to become a constant theme in his work. In particular, the colors and shapes of Nature have inspired his creativity and provided a stimulus for developing the color schemes of his collections. When he chooses his fabrics, Carretti infuses his knowledge into a careful study of yarn, its manufacturing techniques and its multiple sensory and material effects.  The result is a complete revolution in the interplay of warp and woof, right down to the smallest detail. His analysis implies a knowledge of the production cycles and technologies used, as well as total confidence in the potential of technological research placed at the service of creativity”.