Giuliana Teso: Teso's Treasures
By: Jenny Bailly
Photo below: Giuliana Teso on the runway Fall 2005.
Photo courtesy of Giuliana Teso

NEW YORK, Apr 17, 2003/ --- Inaugurating its nascent New York showroom, Giuliana Teso brought out its fall 2003 collection Thursday night, and fashion followers, like outgoing Bazaar fashion director Mary Alice Stephenson, flocked to the downtown space to take a twirl in the luxurious furs.

The 23-year-old company, based in Vicenza, Italy, began as a fur-only outfit, and just five years ago branched into ready-to-wear. For fall, sables and minks, many of which are reversible, hang alongside eveningwear that mixes satin with cutout leathers, and incorporates such whimsical accents as tassels and corset closures. Some skirts and jackets also feature pleated broadtail, a technique developed exclusively by Teso and never before seen in another collection.

While the main Giuliana Teso collection -- still designed by its namesake -- retails for anywhere from $3,000 to $100,000 (for a floor-length Russian sable coat), Giuliana's son Marco recently introduced a more reasonable line for the younger set, with price points ranging from $400 to $5,000. Called Byte, the line launched three years ago and has grown gradually to include everything from parkas and bombers to oversized sweaters and shaggy mohair duffle bags.

"I wanted to mix the old, represented in our logo's Pluto image, with the new and modern," explained Marco in the showroom last night. While the young designer uses many of his mom's materials, his collection is heavier on more casual -- and affordable -- skins, namely shearling. The fall collection's short shearling jacket with colorful floral embroidery on the cuffs has already been a particular hit with retailers.

Keeping it all in the family, Marco's older brother Carlo handles the business side of Giuliana Teso. "He does the numbers, I do the colors," Marco laughs. "It's better that way."

Both are handling their respective responsibilities well, as Giuliana Teso makes a successful U.S. push and even considers opening its own stores here. The American market now accounts for 30 percent of the brand's outerwear sales, with the collection retailing at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and 33 Neiman Marcus stores. Byte is featured alongside the main collection in select Neiman Marcus outlets.

Giuliana Teso's Soho showroom just opened in January, and Anthony Orlando, former director of luxury apparel at Neiman Marcus, came on board as director of the brand's luxury division. Commenting on his first four months, the department store vet gushed, "Hopefully I'll be here for another 40 years."

Fall 2005 Photo courtesy of Giuliana Teso

Press for GIULIANA TESO:
Ian Mackintosh
A.CICOGNANI COMMUNICATIONS
125 East 74th Street
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 249 7514
Fax: (212) 249-7594