IVANA PICALLO: THE QUIET LUXURY CONQUERING INTERNATIONAL FASHION
From Family Threads to Global Runways
Ivana Picallo’s story reads like a fashion fairy tale. Raised among fabrics and seams by her dressmaker grandmother, she transformed that artisanal legacy into a brand now celebrated in the world’s most demanding fashion capitals. Since her debut in Buenos Aires in 1998, the Argentine designer has grown steadily to become an undisputed icon of haute couture.
THE PICALLO SIGNATURE: SOPHISTICATION THAT SPEAKS SOFTLY
What sets her work apart is the concept of "quiet luxury": ethereal gowns, meticulous embroidery, and noble materials that don’t shout trends but whisper elegance. Her creations don’t impose they seduce with subtlety, exuding a timeless femininity that turns every garment into a treasured wardrobe jewel.
HAUTE COUTURE WITH LATIN AMERICAN IDENTITY
International critics have praised her. She was awarded at London Fashion Week and celebrated by the Association of New and Young Designers in Spain. These accolades confirm what her loyal audience already knows: Picallo is synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship and soulful design.
A MUSE INSPIRING NEW GENERATIONS
Beyond the runway, Ivana Picallo is committed to empowering textile entrepreneurs and supporting emerging talent. Her vision goes beyond designing: she aims to plant seeds for the future, transform craftsmanship, and turn fashion into a language that transcends fleeting trends.
In a world where speed dictates trends and appearance dominates everything, Ivana reminds us that true fashion is not just worn it’s felt, inherited, and breathed. In every stitch, fold, and texture, a story pulses: that of a woman who turned her craft into art, and her art into a way of seeing the world. With the elegance of the eternal and the power of the authentic, Picallo doesn’t just design clothing she weaves identity.
INTERVIEW WITH IVANA PICALLO
What inspired you to move toward the world of art?
My inspiration to enter the art world came from a turning point in my career as a haute couture designer. I’ve always worked on one-of-a-kind pieces, cut and crafted by my own hands, tailored to each body. After 27 years in the industry and after presenting my work in Europe and in Argentina’s only luxury shopping center I felt it was time to leave a legacy, something that would communicate my essence to my daughters, my clients, and those who follow me.
I believed the best way to do that was through sculpture, and so I developed my first trilogy, “Overflow of Form,” which tells the story through three sculptures of my personal evolution over the past three years. I connected deeply with myself, creating and communicating from the soul not for the world, but from myself to the world. That’s why my sculptures are large-scale, designed for indoor or outdoor spaces, and I also create furniture pieces to accompany them.
Where does the inspiration for your next collection come from?
The inspiration for my collections usually comes from my instinct and social vision from observing what women need today: how they are, how they think, how they feel. I connect with their moment, their mind, their spirit. From there, I reflect the spirit of my brand and its DNA: couture with identity fresh, luxurious yet light, full of personality, without theatrics, and always elegant.
What dreams do you still have within the fashion world?
I have thousands of dreams. One of the main ones is to see my brand become the first Argentine haute couture label led by a woman to achieve solid global recognition. From that dream, many others follow: my social projects, my art, my architecture… I don’t just design clothing I design a lifestyle. My brand is a community, a conceptual proposal that I want to transcend time.
When I talk about legacy, I also refer to my daughters: Gina Eva is the public face of the brand and a young image ambassador; Francesca is a singer and artist; and Mia will handle the business side in the future. We are a family of strong women, and that strength is also embedded in the brand’s DNA.
How do you envision dressing art world figures curators, gallery owners, artists? Do you think being an artist gives you an edge in connecting with them?
I’m an artist, a designer all of that and more. I believe true emotional intelligence lies in collaboration with peers, in knowing there is room for everyone. Sharing art is the most valuable thing we have, and I hope that becomes more visible in the fashion world.
Art is energy, passion, and a connection with the inner self. Being an artist allows me to form deeper, more human connections something that can greatly enrich the fashion world, which is often perceived as distant. It’s a beautiful opportunity to create authentic relationships and new communication codes.
Ivana Picallo dreams of…
I dream of a society that recognizes the industry we can build in Argentina one that generates jobs, trains in high-end fashion, and improves the lives of many.
Fashion is often seen as frivolous but it’s not. It’s ephemeral, yes but it’s also passion. We can show the world our creativity, talent, and growth potential especially if we learn to work as a team.
I have a degree in business administration, so I also see things through an entrepreneurial lens. I truly believe design can contribute to many areas. I would love to develop a smart model ego-free with structures that genuinely promote social progress through fashion.