
Susana Colina
Brooklyn based Venezuelan designer Susana Colina produces a modern, minimal, women’s wear collection with sculptured, architectural lines. The collections strong graphic color story reflects Colina’s own background in graphic design.
Based in Milan, and launched in 2009, Cangiari is and ethical and social brand guided by entrepreneur Santo Versace, Creatively Directed by Marina Spadafora, and sponsored by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. With the social responsibility mission of the GOEL Social Consortium, that brings together numerous social enterprises in the province of Calabria in Italy, and works across multiple sectors including the handcraft, textile and manufacturing sectors. Cangiari’s socially responsible production chain, is made up entirely of cooperatives that promote work within local communities. Struggling against the mafia, they work with the disadvantaged, including the unemployed, women, youth, people with mental disorders, convicts, people with addictions, people and families in difficulties and migrants.
Cangari collections are designed by a “Creative Community” and entirely produced in Calabria and Sicily using precious fabrics and high-end craft processes. Each item is unique and precious, produced according to the ancient traditions of Calabria, but with a modern sensibility. The collection incorporates hand woven and traditional textiles, with frayed and tailored detailing, and styles that are timeless, ageless and sophisticated in nature. Tied to the territory, the pieces are alive with the sense of tradition that comes from honouring the past, while looking to the future.
Cangiari work predominately with organic and natural fabrics, combining research and innovation with the utmost respect for the eco-system. The collections are GOTS and ICEA certified, as well as stylish, sustainabie, and totally “made in Italy”, or more specifically, “hand-made in Calabria”. The brand motto, “Beauty is different” is meant to reflect on socio economic fairness and individual dignity, as well as the beauty and respect for the environment.
The word “Cangiari” means “changing” in the Calabrian and sicilian dialect, and stands bringing change to the fashion system. While the logo is the mathematical symbol for different, and expresses the will and the commitment to innovate, and to stand out. Each garment is in fact, a metaphor that contains a message to the wearer about human rights, fairness, participation, common good, lawfulness, ecology, and nonviolence.
Website: www.cangiari.it/home.html