Soft Touch

The launch of Costanza Castellani’s dreamy new cashmere line, Soft Firenze

For most of her life, the fashion apparel business has always played a role in Costanza Castellani’s life.  Coming from a family who ran their own fur company in Tuscany, she knew she wanted to branch out and diversify from their Empoli based fur trade.  At the tender young age of 20, Costanza decided to start her own cashmere knitwear business, a decision that would set her on a trajectory of lifelong passion.

 “It was in the early 1990’s when I began to want more of a challenge,” Costanza explains.   “After six years of selling my own cashmere brand, I decided to delve deeper into its production, distribution and sourcing the finest raw materials.”  As both her knowledge and her passion grew, she began working as a production manager in the most renowned cashmere knitwear companies in the sector, learning and observing all there was to know from the experts. “During those two decades that followed, I had the opportunity to work for the best luxury brands of the time,” she smiles.  “I grew professionally thanks to the help of many experienced people.”

Fast forward to 2017, Costanza’s role in the industry further evolved as she opened her own technical consultancy studio specializing in high quality cashmere knitwear.  She offered her services to fashion companies wishing to create Made in Italy products.   “The passion for my work has always pushed me to try to improve myself by looking for perfection in the creation of the cashmere garments,” Costanza explains.  “I have met so many people of great ability who work with passion and professionalism and who put their heart into what they do.”  This is the true mark which defines the raw magic behind Made in Italy.

Most recently, Costanza has begun threading all of her experiences together.  “The dream I had hidden in a drawer for some time has given birth to Soft Firenze,” she explains.  Putting her own hand to design, gradually her unique collection of cashmere for leisure and home has been realized -- today’s Soft Firenze brand is the result of her diligent work and decades of experience.  “My work has become my passion,” Costanza smiles.  

Soft Firenze incorporates all that the principles that represent Made in Italy:  passion, small-production, superior raw materials, expert hand-finish, and generations of experience.  Using only the top selection of cashmere yarn, types of intricate weaves and hand finishes, Costanza has aimed to create the best possible line.  “I love working with fine materials. The creation of a fine garment is the result of many expert hands who have left their mark,” Costanza explains. 

The proof is in the details.  Each garment is made following every step of the manufacturing process with scrupulous attention. Starting from the selection of the raw material in high quality pure cashmere, its hand-embroidery by master weavers makes the garment even more unique. The throws and the very thin stoles are hand-painted one by one and the fringes are also hand-knotted.  “In my opinion, it is important to recognize the value of what you buy because behind every single object there is the work of many people,” she smiles.  “Each garment has its own history of the passion that went into creating it.”

Furthermore, especially today, the idea of sustainability is never far from Costanza’s mind.  “My Soft Firenze collection embodies what is necessary for how we produce things today,” she explains.  Its carbon footprint is reduced to a minimum as it is made locally in Tuscany.  Being that each garment is made by artisans, there is little waste.  All goes back into the community in a circular way, that in turn supports local businesses, artisans and their families.  “For me, it is of utmost importance to sustain the wonderful talent that has marked Italian workmanship for generations,” Costanza smiles proudly.