Antonio Marras

Born in 1961 in Alghero, Sardinia, Antonio Marras grew up steeped in the traditions, art and storytelling of his homeland.

Without formal training he began experimenting with fashion by staging a couture presentation in Rome in 1996 and launched his first ready‑to‑wear collection in 1999. His namesake label quickly earned attention for combining rigorous craftsmanship with an eclectic mix of prints, embroideries and deconstructed tailoring inspired by Sardinian costumes and personal memories.

In 2003 Marras was appointed artistic director of Kenzo, which broadened his international reach, while he continued to expand his own house with menswear, the contemporary line “I’M Isola Marras” and accessories.

Following the 2022 acquisition by Oniverse, a division of Calzedonia Group, the brand entered a new growth phase that preserves Marras’s independent spirit while leveraging global distribution. Today the house maintains ateliers in Sardinia and Milan and exhibits its collections through installations, dance and theatre performances, highlighting Marras’s multidisciplinary approach.

The ethos of Antonio Marras revolves around the ‘ligazzio rubio’ – a symbolic red thread that ties together his family, his homeland and his creative output Marras considers his work a form of storytelling in which clothing becomes a canvas for memory, culture and emotion. He integrates Sardinian folklore, poetry and landscapes with contemporary fashion techniques, often hand‑crafting garments using layered fabrics, intricate appliqués and experimental textures.

This artisanal sensibility is coupled with curiosity for other disciplines: Marras frequently collaborates with dancers, musicians, filmmakers and ceramicists to stage immersive presentations, revealing his belief that fashion is part of a wider cultural ecosystem. His philosophy also champions sustainability through the reuse of vintage textiles and local production and celebrates the imperfections of handmade items.