For Sara Cavazza, the fashion designer and creative director of the fashion house, the City of Angels is much more than a glamorous stage: it is a fertile space for creative dialogues, encounters with a sophisticated clientele, and an international energy that resonates with the brand’s bright and sustainable vision.
On the occasion of Italian Republic Day, the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles celebrated the excellence of Made in Italy with an exclusive event at Casa Lago, a residence symbolic of creativity and cultural diplomacy. Illuminating the evening was a fashion show by Genny, a historic Italian fashion house led by Sara Cavazza Facchini, who brought an elegant declaration of love to contemporary femininity to the runway.
With an exceptional host- host Jimmy Kimmel, a new Italian citizen-and an audience of well-known faces from the Italian and international community, the collection sealed the ever-stronger bond between Genny and Los Angeles.
What is your relationship with Los Angeles? What fascinates you about this city on a personal and creative level?
My connection with Los Angeles stems from a childhood dream. I was a little girl when I watched with wonder-filled eyes the protagonists of Beverly Hills 90210, imagining that I too was living among those sun-kissed hills full of promise. Growing up, as a teenager, those images became a reference point: Hollywood was for me a symbol of possibility, creativity and freedom.
My first time in Los Angeles was a special moment: an unforgettable honeymoon. I remember with emotion the visit to the iconic Pretty Woman hotel, a place that, like in the movies, seemed to speak of love and dreams fulfilled.
After the birth of my children, Leonardo and Angelica-not coincidentally, their initials form “L.A.” – I have chosen to spend every summer here. I deeply love this city, its vibrant energy, the vivid colors, the dynamism in every corner. Los Angeles is an endless source of inspiration for me, a place where I feel alive and connected to something bigger. And my children, just like this city, are my angels. Over time, my career path also became more and more intertwined with this city: celebrities started choosing Genny, taking the brand to international red carpets and to the most iconic moments of their lives. Until I reached one of the most exciting milestones: the opening of my boutique in Los Angeles, on Brighton Way. A dream born as a child that today has become reality, in a city that has given me so much and that I feel more and more mine.
How does the California atmosphere enter your collections? Are there elements or inspirations that come directly from here?
California for Genny is not just a location, but a mindset: a fusion of the dreamy, contemporary and a refined sensuality that is expressed through clean lines, precious fabrics and a color palette that celebrates light and movement.
In fact, the SS23 collection was inspired by the City of Angels, vibrant with life, art, and creativity, it is the place where the future is invented: from the galleries of the Arts District to futuristic architecture, from extreme performance that encapsulates the infinite facets of a dreamy and contemporary La La Land in the Spring Summer 2023 collection.
How would you define womanhood today according to Genny? Has it changed from a few years ago?
Femininity for Genny today is synonymous with serene strength and refined, never ostentatious sensuality. She is a woman who is aware of her own power, but expresses it with grace and naturalness. Compared to a few years ago, I would say she has evolved. If before we could focus more on a defined silhouette and a more obvious sensuality, today there is a greater emphasis on comfort, versatility, and a beauty that comes from self-confidence. The Genny woman is modern, independent and desires clothes that accompany her in every moment of her life, enhancing her without overpowering her, making her feel unique and valued.
What is the main message of your latest collection? What did you start from to build it?
The collection recounts the iconic codes of the Maison, reinterpreted with new energy. The orchid print, a distinctive symbol, is offered in lime hues and is declined in the most precious fabrics such as light muslin and structured drill.
Rhinestone tassels ignite a revisited vintage imagery, applied with couture touches on jeweled jeans, while evening gowns, sculpted on flowing silhouettes, parade in the Maison’s most emblematic colors: pure white, absolute black and delicate shades.
Daytime looks with an unmistakable L.A. touch complete the collection: designed for a cosmopolitan, feminine and self-confident woman who moves among exclusive destinations with innate style. A tribute to resort life, between relaxed luxury and sophisticated charm.
Genny’s Cruise 2026 is an ode to modern femininity, creative freedom, and the ongoing dialogue between Italian heritage and global vision.
Credits: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
You’ve worked a lot on the concept of lightness and strength-how do these elements translate into your garments?
The concept of lightness and strength is translated in Resort SS26 ‘The Genny Way’ through a studied and refined balance. Lightness is manifested in the fluid silhouettes that draw the figure with grace and modernity, designed to enhance the natural beauty of every woman. Contributing to this feeling are the whispering colors and ethereal nuances. A key role is played by special fabrics, chosen for their unique quality and textures, capable of evoking unexpected and almost impalpable sensations, like “the freshness of surfaces bathed in dew.” Strength emerges from the meticulous attention to detail and the intrinsic quality of the material. Precious details and special finishing touches, made with craftsmanship, transform clothes and accessories into “little works of art to wear.”
Is there a symbolic fabric or detail in this new collection?
White has always been the symbolic color of Genny. It is not only an aesthetic choice, but a real language: it represents purity, timeless elegance, light that envelops and enhances the female figure. It is the color of harmony and essentiality, but also of inner strength. Genny’s white is a distinctive, sophisticated and recognizable sign that speaks of contemporary and conscious femininity.
The orchid, on the other hand, is the emblem of natural delicacy and refinement. It is a rare, elegant and sensual flower that perfectly embodies the Genny woman: sophisticated yet spontaneous, strong yet deeply romantic. Its exotic beauty and endurance over time make the orchid the ideal symbol of an elegance that transcends fashion and celebrates individuality with grace.
Together white and orchid tell the soul of the brand: bright, authentic and deeply feminine.
How important is sustainability today for a luxury brand like Genny? And how do you apply it in your creative choices?
Sustainability for a luxury brand like Genny is fundamental and unavoidable. It is no longer an option, but a responsibility. For us, it translates into the research and use of innovative materials with low environmental impact, the reduction of waste throughout the production chain, and the enhancement of Italian manufacturing and quality that guarantees the durability of garments over time. In my creative choices, this means preferring fabrics that are the result of more ethical processes, but without ever compromising quality and aesthetics. It also means designing garments that are timeless, that are not tied to a single season, but that can be worn and loved for years, counteracting the logic of ‘fast fashion’.
What fashion trends do you think are emerging most strongly this season?
This season, I see strongly emerging a trend toward a refined and self-conscious femininity, expressed through flowing silhouettes and whispering colors. There is great research on material, with particular fabrics that evoke unique sensations. The demand is for discreet luxury, made of precious details and handcrafted finishes, and garments that offer comfort and style without compromising elegance.
You have dressed many stars in Los Angeles: is there an incident you remember with particular emotion?
Seeing celebrities wearing Genny is a deep emotion for me, a mixture of admiration and joy. I feel a great personal pride, but most of all a genuine happiness in seeing the smile and light in their eyes: they feel like real princesses, and this for me is the most beautiful gift. The greatest satisfaction comes when they choose Genny even in their private moments, it is a sign of trust and affection towards the brand. I remember with emotion when Kylie Minogue wore a Genny dress for her birthday party, or when Rita Ora chose Genny to celebrate her birthday in Paris. And then Jlo, who on vacation in Capri visited our boutique: these are moments that I carry in my heart and that push me to dream even bigger.
What do you think is the secret to making a woman feel “powerful” through a dress?
The secret to making a woman feel ’empowered’ through a dress lies in the garment’s ability to make her feel comfortable, confident and authentic. It is not just a matter of design or trend, but how the dress fits her, how it enhances her figure and how it allows her to move freely. When a woman feels good in what she wears, her inner strength naturally shines through.
How does your approach change between runway fashion and fashion designed for a red carpet in Hollywood?
My approach between runway fashion and Hollywood red carpet fashion has overlaps but also substantial differences. Runway fashion is where I express my purest and most artistic vision for the collection. It is the place where I can experiment with unexpected volumes, fabrics and combinations, creating a true narrative. The runway is where trends are dictated, creative directions are shown, and brand identity is defined in the boldest and most conceptual way. When I design for the Hollywood red carpet, the approach becomes more focused and functional. Here the goal is to dress the woman, enhancing her to the fullest under the spotlight. Red carpet gowns must be impeccable, regal, but also comfortable for hours. Tailored garments are often worked on, with great attention to details that can make a difference under the flashes. The ‘wow’ effect is sought, but one that is always elegant and in line with the Genny aesthetic, but above all that reflects the personality of the celebrity wearing it.
What does Italian fashion represent for you abroad? And in particular here in the United States? (reference to the June 1 event in collaboration with the consulate).
Italian fashion abroad is synonymous with excellence, craftsmanship and unparalleled refined taste. Here in the United States, it represents the ability to combine innovation and timeless beauty. The June 1 event, with the launch of ‘The Genny Way’ in collaboration with the Consulate, is an opportunity to celebrate this excellence. It is a bridge between our rich Italian heritage, the attention to every detail and craftsmanship that distinguishes our garments, and the dynamic spirit of Los Angeles. It shows how our vision of conscious and empowered femininity is appreciated in such an influential market.
Is there a dream or project related specifically to Los Angeles that you would like to accomplish for Genny?
In Los Angeles, I would like to do a project related to the world of cinema, an area that perfectly represents the creative and visionary spirit of the city. The idea would be to develop a film or film concept in which fashion and storytelling come together, enhancing the aesthetics and values of the brand.
In addition, I would like to create a collaboration with iconic elements of Los Angeles, be it a symbolic place, a local artist, or a cultural institution, to build an authentic dialogue between Genny’s DNA and the unique soul of the city.
What should we expect from Genny in the coming months? Can you anticipate anything?
For the future, Genny plans several strategic projects aimed at consolidating and expanding its presence in the luxury world. Among the main initiatives will be the expansion of the lifestyle section with a focus on home furnishings, to offer an even more complete brand experience. An advertising campaign with international talent is also planned, designed to strengthen the brand’s identity on a global scale. At the retail level, Genny will open a new boutique in Porto Cervo, the beating heart of the exclusive lifestyle on the Costa Smeralda, and will reopen the historic Milan boutique on Via Sant’Andrea, one of the focal points of the fashion quadrilateral
The article How Los Angeles became home for Sara Cavazza Facchini comes from TheNewyorker.
