The designer for the savvy, sensual, and special lady with grace and elegance combined

By Sonia Tita Puopolo

Since his first store opened on Madison Avenue in 1992, Luca Orlandi and his one-of-a-kind pieces have been a fixture in the fashion and entertainment world. Taking inspiration from the colors of Africa and combining them with the modernity and energy of New York, the Luca Luca brand emanates sophistication in its ready-to-wear styles. With a family in the textile business in Milan, Luca developed a love for fashion. However, the textile factory was much more industrial than it is today, and with the help of his aunt, Susi Gandini, Luca developed his keen eye for luxurious fabrics. Here, Luca Orlandi explains how he is leaving his mark on the fashion industry.

Tita: What inspires you?
LUCA: Inspirations come from everything and everybody. They can be a sunset, the color of a flower, a portrait of a woman, or the notes of a song.

Tita: When did you realize your passion and creativity would be channeled in fashion?
LUCA: I always knew, but at the end of college when it was time to get serious about getting a job, I had to admit to myself that I would not be satisfied pursuing any other career.

Tita: Do you have any plans to create Luca Luca Residences, or Hotel, or even a home interiors line? Or will you stay focused on women’s clothing?
LUCA: Yes, I am very interested in home interiors. Decorating homes is my favorite hobby and to this day I regret not having studied architecture.

Tita: Who is your greatest inspiration?
LUCA: My passions and inspirations are too feeble to be remembered. The only one that is really important to me is the last one, if it’s still inspiring me.

Tita: What three characteristics best describe Luca Orlandi?
LUCA: I do not know. I do not believe we can ever be very rational in judging our qualities and faults.

Tita: What is your favorite place in the world?
LUCA: A 400-meter tall rock from which I can see the plains of Africa in the southeast border of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Africa.

Tita: What is the most important message you want to communicate through your beautiful designs?
LUCA: Enjoy life with a smile and irony; there is no point in wasting such a beautiful gift with worries of any kind.

TITA: Do you have a message for women everywhere?
LUCA: Thank you for making our life so interesting, sexy, and full of daily wonderful discoveries.

TITA: Who is your favorite artist?
LUCA: It changes every week. Lately, it has been the author of A Thousand Suns and The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini.

Tita: What is your favorite music?
LUCA: Hip-hop in general and reggae.

Tita: Do you have a message or tips for humanity and for our Haute Living readers? Possibly a life philosophy that has led you to your success?
LUCA: Enjoy life by doing things that you love to do the most!