Chiara Boni is one of the most successful Italian designers and fashion entrepreneurs. She is known as an icon of style and elegance. Her fashions are worn by stars on the red carpet and stocked at major fashion shops worldwide.

However, this position in the world of fashion and commerce also has a long history that began in Florence in 1971 with her own boutique, You Tarzan me Jane. At a time when women did not manage their own business. Chiara Boni's fashion has many facets, can be elegant, romantic or cool - simple or dramatic with many details but is actually based on a single material.

What today's fashion designers and producers strive for is economical sustainability, Chiara Boni started decades ago. Chiara Boni tells Alethea Magazine how her fashion line had its breakthrough, makes a statement about feminine clothing and explains what sustainable garments and production mean.

June 11, 2022

Interview Directory 

ART

Name: Chiara Boni

Residence: Milan

Status: One of the most successful Italian designers and fashion entrepreneurs.

Inventor: La Petite Robe

"In 2007 I started all over again  and decided to work with a new idea and a new name: La Petite Robe di Chiara Boni."

The story of your own fashion began in 1971 with your own boutique in Florence. Today Chiara Boni is a global fashion brand. Can you tell me about how you got there?

I have a long story. After my own Boutique in Florence, I took part of GFT, one of the biggest fashion companies in Italy, which included Valentino, Armani and Ungaro. The group failed and I bought back my name. I had always been a girl who travelled with a trolley, so I thought that we needed new clothes to be invented that were easily transportable and easy to care for. In 2007 I started all over again  and decided to work with a new idea and a new name: La Petite Robe di Chiara Boni.

"The development of my dresses was revolutionary."

As I always experimented new materials for 40 years in 2007 I found the perfect fabric, from Eurojersey, which already had care about environment. Eurojersey was starting measuring the impact of water, heat and carbon – until that moment this fabric had only been used for sportswear and swimswear. My first La Petite Robe collection was very small - 14 black dresses with a relatively light weight. I never use zips or buttons for my dresses. As the manufacturing is industrial, it’s very difficult to have zips and hems well sewn. My material looks perfect cut off.

The development of my dresses was revolutionary. They can be rolled small - washed in the hotel shower and they dry overnight and don't need ironing. My collections are mainly made of cocktail dresses or gowns. Many times our items are used for films or TV series or for anchor women and journalists worldwide.

Would you describe your fashion line as sustainable fashion?

Nothing is 100% sustainable. But using the Eurojersey sensitive fabric, in 2019 Chiara Boni La Petite Robe was the first womens fashion brand to obtain the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) European certification. The measuring and certifying procedure were made possible thanks to the traceability of Chiara Boni's 100% Made in Italy supply chain, guaranteeing high quality and an authentic sustainable approach.

Do you use fur or leather in your collections?

I don't use fur at all. My bags are a licensed business.

You are considered an icon of style, elegance and femininity. Who or what was your source of inspiration?

My mother inspired me - she was a very elegant woman all her life. In the 50’s and in the 60’s womens used to have a morning dress – an afternoon dress and an evening dress. She was also excellent in matching hats and gloves. She dressed in Paris at Balenciaga, Givenchy and her milliner was Alexandre. For me as a little girl, the gorgeous ateliers in Paris were a dream world in gold.

"The shop was revolutionary for that time: inside there was a huge changing room where everyone tried dresses together."

You founded your first boutique in Florence in 1971?

My passion for young fashion started in London in 1967. When I come back to Italy I wanted to open a boutique, I had to wait till the age of 21 when I got married. With the help of my husband, I opened my first shop in Florence, You Tarzan Me Jane. That was the name of a feminist spectacle in London that I felt close to me as a feminist. The shop was revolutionary for that time: inside there was a huge changing room where everyone tried dresses together.

You as an icon of elegance and femininity - what do you think of street style and the oversized jackets for young girls?

The girls are of their time.

© Chiara Boni

© Chiara Boni

© Chiara Boni