We all have a place close to our hearts. A place where we simply feel more like ourselves, with which we feel in tune, and which, for that very reason, brings out the best in us. The same is true for great fashion designers: there are cities, islands, and landscapes that have shaped their lives and fueled their imagination, becoming an integral part of the aesthetic language of their collections.
Discovered in 1966, Marrakech profoundly changed Yves Saint Laurent’s life. It influenced his creative world—from his exploration of color to his silhouettes—and even the collections that brought the charm of Morocco to the runway. It was also the place where he solidified his love story with Pierre Bergé and where he helped preserve one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Jardin Majorelle.
For Dolce&Gabbana, however, Sicily is much more than a source of inspiration. It is a treasure trove of traditions, art, folklore, and culture that continues to influence the fashion house’s collections, from prints featuring Sicilian carts to references to the Baroque, ceramics, and Mediterranean sensuality.
In Simon Porte Jacquemus’s life and brand, the South of France is a constant presence. The lavender fields, the Provençal sun, the sea, and the slow pace of life in his homeland have become the common thread of an essential, luminous, and instantly recognizable aesthetic.
John Galliano’s connection to Kyoto, on the other hand, stems from his deep fascination with Japanese culture. Kimonos, traditional craftsmanship, and the theatricality of Japanese tradition have influenced many of his most visionary creations, while the prestigious Kyoto Costume Institute houses some of his most important works.
Matthieu Blazy chose Biarritz to present one of his latest collections for Chanel, and it wasn’t just because of the town’s beauty. In fact, the city holds a special place in the fashion house’s history: in 1915, Gabrielle Chanel opened her first haute couture house there, employing over 300 workers and launching her first haute couture collection.
Valentino Garavani’s relationship with Capri, on the other hand, is a lifelong love story. For over fifty years, Villa La Cercola has been the designer’s summer retreat—a place where he can find the right distance from Rome and the fashion capitals, immersed in nature and the island’s timeless beauty. For Valentino, Capri is not just a destination, but the very embodiment of Italian elegance.
While Valentino finds its niche in Mediterranean beauty, Ralph Lauren has built much of his brand’s identity around the authenticity of the American West. His ranch in Colorado, at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, has inspired the aesthetic of numerous collections, featuring denim, leather, fringes, and a style that celebrates freedom and a connection with nature.
For Vivienne Westwood, London was not just home, but the beating heart of her creative revolution. It was on King’s Road, at her historic boutique, that she redefined the language of punk fashion, transforming the city into a laboratory of rebellion, nonconformity, and experimentation. Even today, London remains the most authentic symbol of the designer’s creative legacy.
The connection between Calvin Klein and the Hamptons has always been deep. In 1987, the designer purchased a historic oceanfront estate in East Hampton, turning it into his summer retreat for over thirty years. Sold in 2021 for approximately $85 million, the property has recently returned to the market with an asking price of $165 million, a testament to how the allure of the Hamptons continues to make it one of the most exclusive destinations in American luxury.
For Giorgio Armani, Pantelleria was more of a second home than a vacation destination. The designer fell in love with the island in the late 1970s, and in 1981 he purchased what remains one of his most iconic retreats to this day. Nestled amid the Mediterranean scrub, the property is a true oasis where architecture and nature coexist, reflecting the minimalist yet sophisticated aesthetic that has always defined the Armani world. “For me, coming from Milan, Pantelleria represents a ‘somewhere else’ brought to life. It’s the place, in the middle of the Mediterranean, where I allow myself to unwind, and which I feel like I’m rediscovering every time, with the deep blue of the sea all around and the locals—rough on the outside but so generous. “When I’m on the island, I try not to think about Milan and work—or at least I try,” he said in an interview.
[📸 Getty Images; IPA]
