Plan C, like “Piano Carolina” or “Piano Castiglioni”
Interview with Carolina Castiglioni, designer of Plan C, the young clothing and accessories line that has a unique familiarity.
At the Castiglioni house, creativity is in the DNA. Plan C is a clear demonstration of this, creativity that spans generations and decades. Including the youngest, Carolina Castiglioni's daughter, whose designs stand out in the collections. At just three years old, the figures of her brother Filippo and friend Bianca are a favorite subject of the young brand that has valued experience at Marni (Consuelo Castiglioni was Creative Director for 20 years at the fashion house and Carolina has held various roles in the company, also as Director of special projects).
Plan C can be considered Carolina's and the Castiglioni family new creative venture: Gianni, the father, also works at the company as CEO, and his brother Giovanni, Operations Director. This family dynamic is also reflected in the choice of office.
The creative hand is all feminine and carries forward that incredible sense of glamor that points to an elegant and sophisticated aesthetic, sought after in the quality of the product, in the shapes and in the combination of colors.
Below you can find our interview with Carolina Castiglioni
Was it implicit to start over with your own label?
I did not want to dissipate the professional wealth acquired over time. Plan C is not Marni, in fact we produce only two collections a year. I put into practice what I learned after ten years in the company to do something that reflects my way of being. So, I started this new adventure with my brother Giovanni.
Did you receive some advice from your mother Consuelo, founder of Marni in 1994?
My mother told me just to follow my instincts, go forward and feel free to do whatever I thought was right. She is a point of reference for me, I had encouragement from a mother as well as a woman who has a lot of experience behind her.
Who's the Plan C woman?
I don't have a particular muse and it's not my objective to rely on some contemporary model. The Plan C woman does not have an age, she is not a copy of someone else. She has a strong personality that is expressed in her own style, which is unique, clear of current trends. She is cultured and shows it with her own aesthetic choices, even in the smallest detail. She certainly loves the world of art, so she is never satisfied and looks for beauty and quality.
What characterizes a Plan C garment?
Definitely the quality of the materials: the fabrics come from Italy and Japan. Technical cotton is used a lot, which is well suited to the contemporary woman. For me, volumes and how they are worn is important, for example long skirts, with a ruffle, you can wear during the day with a comfy sweatshirt to play down an elegant garment originally born for the evening.
You use color a lot, is it fundamental to the Plan C style?
Absolutely, colors and patterns are important to me. There is an art in knowing how to combine different tones. The goal is to find new combinations, seemingly unusual, that then surprise. To be elegant and sophisticated but not conventional is the signature of Plan C.
Is there a garment that 'symbolizes' the style of Plan C?
The egg-shaped coat, with wide volumes. It's a modern and transversal garment that I designed for the first collection. To this I would add a bag, with the designs of my daughter, which is made of coated canvas.
