Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

When we visited the Island of Capri on our recent trip to Italy (more to come on that later!), we visited what can only be described as my dream store. I fell in love with the Eco Capri store as soon as I walked in – it is welcoming, open and just full of treasures. If I could – I would have bought everything in the store.

It is rare that I love almost everything in a shop – normally I love some pieces in a store and they become one of my favourites but I didn’t see one thing there that I wouldn’t buy. While in there we also learned about the fashion enriched history of the store and I really wanted to share this with you – as the inspiration behind the store is just fascinating.

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

Laetitia Cerio is a well known Caprese and International Artist and her stylish designs were way ahead of her time. Her original works are the inspiration behind the store and she is in fact the grandmother of the owner Federico Alvarez de Toledo! Her influence is palpable from the decor to the items for sale. When we were walking around the store the super knowledgeable salesperson told us all about Laetitia and I wanted to share her story briefly with you today as they have captured that family essence in such a magical, original way.

Laetitia Cerio & her path to Capri

In Laetitia’s early years she studied drawing and painting with Baccio Maria Bacci and painting with Elfriede Pegasos. She spent her twenties travelling the world and fell in love while on her travels and had two children along the way with her love Ramiro Alvarez de Toledo who was the Count of Caltabellott.

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

Later in life she began her professional career in earnest while in Buenos Aires where “she worked for the magazines “Selecta”, “Sabir Vivir” and “Vogue,” illustrating fashion and design” {via} and then her work evolved to start doing fabric and wallpaper design. I think what I find so fascinating is that her natural talent shined through no matter where she lived and her ambition fueled her success.

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

“Lemons are one of my things…” Laetitia Cerio, Islands Magazine – 1997.

Sadly she suffered personal heartbreak and loss in her life, and she turned to her creative pursuits to help her through her terrible experiences. She developed many new styles in her designs and it was around this time that she also developed her line drawings which she has since gained international recognition for. Her brand just went from strength to strength especially after her collaborations with  Yves Dupuis and Marchese Emilio Pucci. Following more collaborations for fabric and wallpaper designs she moved to Capri and began an amazing crusade to promote Capri and I believe that one of the reasons that Capri is such a strong center for culture is because of her passion to promote and protect the Caprese Culture.

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

The Eco Capri store has so many pieces to offer – from clothing to home-wears to accessories and all in between. All the items that we seen were of amazing quality and I think that is one of the reasons that I loved it so much. I am a fan of quality, authentic, investment pieces over what some may deem ‘fast fashion’ and the pieces in there are timeless. Some of the pieces are quite preppy and would make such beautiful additions to so many homes.

Eco Capri & the story behind the brandEco Capri & the story behind the brand

Throughout this post I have tried to show you an assortment of what they have in store but it is certainly not possible to highlight it all. The handmade pieces in store now are inspired by some of the Laetitia Cerio archive pieces and there are many more pieces from the archive that the brand will be using in the future so I am excited to see what they bring out in the next few years.

I of course did not leave empty handed and brought a print of one of Laetitia’s famous line drawings as well as a wooden inscribed tray. If I didn’t have only a small carry on with me – I would have brought a lot more! I think that if you do visit the store yourself you will see straight away why I have fallen so in love with it.

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

You can follow Eco Capri on their website and also on Facebook and Instagram and if you are in Capri the store is certainly worth visiting – even just for the interior decor inspiration alone (though I doubt you can go in there an not buy something 🙂 ).

Eco Capri & the story behind the brand

All images taken by me in the store in August 2016.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.