What We Have Woven Together

Giada Forte, founder of Italian brand Forte Forte, and Laurence Antiglio, owner of Zurich-based store Vestibule, have been expressing a different narrative in womenswear for more than two decades – one that does not dress up or seduce, but liberates. Their fashion is not a mere mantle, but a reflection of the inner self: soft, clear, full of soul. In a world characterized by urgency, they give women space to exist – and to breathe.

Interview: Janaina Engelmann-Brothánek. Photos: Forte Forte, Vestibule Store

Let’s start with the first question: How did you meet and what was your first impression of each other?

Giada Forte, founder and CEO of Forte Forte: What a wonderful question. I remember it well: Forte Forte was still in its infancy – made up of just a few pieces that were intuitive, almost raw. Our strategy was not fully developed – and yet the vision was clear. Our desire was to create a small, poetic universe. And then I discovered Vestibule. This store had a soul, and it felt like a home; like an open, highly personal closet. I knew immediately that I wanted to see Forte Forte in this wardrobe. I then wrote to Laurence – I think it was an actual physical letter – and really started courting her.

Laurence Antiglio, owner of Vestibule: To be honest, the courting phase did not last long! (laughs) I had discovered Forte Forte myself in a Paris showroom and was immediately fascinated. So, I placed an order as early as the second or third season. It was more than fashion: a world of textures, light, feeling. The fabrics, the colors, the little poetic touches like the pearl on the label that you get to keep, like a promise. It all spoke a language that I understood immediately. For me, Giada embodies her designs in every sense: warm, quietly powerful, full of grace – and gentleness.

So, your collaboration goes back a long way?

Laurence Antiglio: Yes, 20 years – and these two decades have been an incredibly enriching time for me. When I think back, our relationship has always been more than business; it is a creative dialog, almost a friendship. I remember, for example, a capsule collection that we created together to mark the tenth anniversary of Forte Forte. It was an expression of our connection.

Giada Forte: That was a real labor of love. At Forte Forte, we regularly develop small capsule collections – not for marketing reasons, but out of an inner need. We often work with archived fabrics, with production remnants, sometimes even older prototypes. We take them apart, rework them, and lend them a new lease of life – almost like upcycling with a soul. With partners like Laurence, it feels like a gift to them, their space, and the communities that share their world with us. Our capsules should express exactly what Forte Forte represents to them and what Vestibule means to us.

Laurence Antiglio: It was a really special experience for our customers. Many have known Forte Forte for years and are strongly attached to the brand. To suddenly discover a piece that is really only available from us moved them. This is not just about exclusivity, but about the feeling of being seen. It is like a small gesture of affection, like an invitation to be part of this shared history.

Giada Forte: Exactly. The idea is to create clothes that leave space – to breathe, for personality, for your own pace. Our pieces are meant to be soft, open, sensitive. No masks. No poses. Clothing as an inner space. Dare respiro e spazio per essere. Breath and space to simply be yourself.

Who is she – the woman of Forte Forte and Vestibule?

Laurence Antiglio: That truly is a key question – and as time goes by, our idea of the woman we are addressing is becoming increasingly distinct. Of course we strive to remain open, but over the years it has also become clear that our customers are no longer 20. Many of those who visit us are 40 or 50 and know exactly what they want. They are well informed, even better than ever as a result of social media. This woman cannot be fooled: she does not follow fast trends, but is looking for depth, attitude, substance. She has style, values, and a clear idea of what suits her. She does not need empty shells, she seeks authenticity.

Giada Forte: I totally agree with you, Laurence. Our woman does not dress to be someone else or to conform to a system. She chooses clothes because she knows who she is. She does not require a mask. What sets her apart is curiosity, openness. A passion for what connects fashion, art, travel, and life. She lives consciously, even economically. Nowadays, the fashion budget is only part of a bigger picture – and that is a good thing. When she chooses Forte Forte, it is because she sees herself in it.

So, your customer is not merely wearing clothes but rather expressing an inner truth. How much does this aspiration shape your work? Is it a responsibility that inspires you or does it occasionally create pressure?

Giada Forte: I have never perceived this as pressure because I do not consider myself a classic fashion designer. I possess a great sensitivity for fabrics, for materials, for everything that feels real – for pure, quiet beauty. That is something we need to safeguard, today more than ever. Forte Forte embodies precisely this aesthetic, and the resulting authenticity is palpable. It is not about perfection, but about the real thing. Our customers sense that too.

Laurence Antiglio: This authenticity also plays a central role for me in the store. I curate the range like Giada curates her collections – with intuition and respect for the customer; different season after season, not rigidly organized by brand, but fluidly, by color, by mood. Of course, I also sense the next trend – maybe red will be the next color or leather jackets the key piece. I listen to these signals. But the central question always remains: Does it belong in our Vestibule universe? Does it suit me, my message? I know that if I tell my customer that Gwyneth Paltrow is wearing this piece, she will smile, but she will not buy it any more likely because of that. The hype is irrelevant, what counts is the attitude. That is why I make all decisions with one goal in mind: it has to feel right and coherent. For the customer – and for me. But without pressure.

Speaking of relevance: the main theme of this edition is exactly that. What does the term mean to you?

Giada Forte: I understand relevance to mean deep value and respect – for the garment, the manufacturing process, and all the people involved. Fashion gains relevance when it is authentically created, consciously conceived, and responsibly implemented. This is not about fleeting trends, but about staying true to a clear vision and making the craftsmanship of a place tangible.

Laurence Antiglio: Relevance is my inner shopping filter. With every piece, I ask myself: Does this make sense for me, my customers, and for Vestibule? Quality, purpose, and attitude are paramount. That means I choose less, but more consciously. For me, true relevance is never accidental.

Is luxury still relevant? Or is it time to rethink the concept of luxury?

Giada Forte: Luxury has radically changed in recent years. In the past, it was often synonymous with exclusivity, high prices, and status symbols. Yet many people are no longer drawn to this traditional concept of luxury. It seems unapproachable, detached from everyday life, and therefore also loses its emotional significance. It would appear that people have grown weary of being constantly categorized and pigeonholed – be it as millennials, Gen Z, influencers, or fashion victims. This tendency to categorize people has spread to the concept of luxury and robbed it of much of its original power. Today, luxury means something completely different. It refers to things that have real value – in the sense of care, dedication, and respect in their creation. Luxury is what stands the test of time, what has been created with craftsmanship, what tells a story. For me, a piece of clothing is luxurious when you can feel that it was created with inner conviction – not to follow a trend, but to convey beauty and meaning. Authenticity is at the center. If this attitude is reflected in a product, then that is true luxury for me.

Laurence Antiglio: I, too, define luxury not just by price, but by quality, rarity, and individuality. If I see the same Bottega Veneta look in a shopping center in Abu Dhabi as I do in Paris or online, I miss the sensation of uniqueness. Modern fashion is often interchangeable, predictable, uninspiring, even if it is expensive. A truly luxurious product should not exist in masses. If five of my friends are wearing the same bag, it loses its appeal. Today, true exclusivity is not the visible logo, but the personal connection to a product that authentically suits me. Brands like Forte Forte demonstrate how things can be done differently. They have a clear identity, yet they do not come across as loud. Their clothes are not made to be recognized immediately, but to be worn and experienced. The focus is on individuality rather than uniformity – and rarity.

The French look is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Laurence, you have been talking about it for years. What makes it so current in your opinion?

Laurence Antiglio: True, I really have been talking about the “look à la Parisienne” for 20 years! (laughs) But yes, now it has well and truly arrived. I believe it is this famous nonchalance, this l’air de rien. French women look like they are not trying very hard, but in reality, they are very informed, very aware. They make the style their own, interpreting it in the context of their personality. It is quiet sophistication, sophisticated but never strained – and perhaps that is precisely why it is so contemporary. Keyword: Jane Birkin, feminine and masculine, with jeans, t-shirt, blazer and braided bag. This is a classic that never gets old or boring because the woman who wears it makes it personal.

Giada, how would you define the Forte Forte look in this context and how has your signature style changed over the years?

Giada Forte: Perhaps Forte Forte is an Italian Parisienne. Refined, but not pretentious – this casual elegance, la douceur, sophistication without formality. Many people thought we were a French label at the beginning, but we are Italian to the core. Yet this idea of wearing a cashmere blazer, a silk dress, or a poplin blouse with the same relaxed naturalness – that is precisely what Forte Forte is all about. We started with ten pieces – fine, transparent fabrics, hand-embroidered t-shirts, a single fisherman’s trouser model and everything in black and white. This “young woman” has gained experience over the years. The silhouettes are clearer, the materials even more exclusive, and we are now also colorful. One thing has always remained the same: the desire to create something that touches the soul.

Giada Forte

Giada Forte, born in Vicenza in 1972, grew up in a traditional family business that has been a byword for high-quality knitwear for generations. She developed a keen sense for materials, knitting techniques, and haptics at an early age. After studying Knitwear Design at Nottingham Trent University, she spent formative years in Paris, where she honed her creative signature at Kenzo and in a small studio at Galerie Vivienne.

Back in Italy, she worked at Benetton for more than seven years and most recently as Head of Knitwear at Sisley. The industrial fashion world, however, ultimately felt too anonymous and alienating to her. Together with her brother Paolo, she founded Forte Forte in 2002 – a label that goes far beyond fashion. It represents a homage to timeless femininity, a quiet, sustainable aesthetic, and a deep desire to create clothing that forges a connection between the wearer and craftsmanship. All collections are created exclusively in Italy, respecting materials, people, and sustainable processes.

Today, Forte Forte is one of the major players in the international womenswear segment with eleven own stores and 600 retail partners worldwide.

Laurence Antiglio

Laurence Antiglio, who lives and works in Zurich, is the founder of Vestibule, a multi-brand store launched in 2005 to provide a stage for international designers who show attitude and style.

After graduating from École Hôtelière de Lausanne and spending several years in the marketing department at Unilever, she decided to pursue a career in fashion in 2003 and completed a master’s degree in Fashion Business Management at the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris.

Vestibule presents a carefully curated selection of labels that do not simply follow trends, but embody quality, authenticity, and sustainability. From established names such as Forte Forte, Isabel Marant, and Chloé to carefully selected niche brands, Laurence brings French esprit and global perspectives to Zurich.

In 2014, she expanded the concept with a second store, which she runs together with her husband, who has been a managing partner for ten years. She attaches great importance to a strong visual identity, a keen sense of storytelling, and the connection between fashion and lifestyle.

Both women personify a generation of entrepreneurs who are re-imagining womenswear: consciously, emotionally, and sustainably. They emphasize quality over quantity, intuition over loud statements – thus creating spaces in which fashion is more than just clothing: an attitude, a story, a quiet revolution.