BERTO FOR MITCHUMM: #INTERVIEW
Can you recall the exact moment when you decided to become a fashion designer?

Well, I was almost 23 when I started this job after following my father (tailor and founder on Mitchumm in 1976 in Los Angeles). I perfectly remember when I’ve opened my first store, 12sqm in the historical center of Como. I used to sell some "no brands" but with a good taste and a nice research of colorful products. After 6 months I’ve decided to create my first shirts collection exclusively for the store and all my customers loved it! So, step by step, I've introduced a total look collection and the store finally has been called "MITCHUMM Store", bring back to life the brand after 20 years.
Berto: finally someone who really want to help new brands and designers!
What was your first project?

I've started with exclusive printed shirts and swimtrunks and now-a-days they are still my core business products. 

Creative process: do you work instinctively or planning each single small step? Where do your ideas come from?

After years anything changed, I dream it, I want it, I have to make it. I always wanted to make something different that can give people smart emotions.
 
What did you think when you have been contacted by Berto first?

Love at first sight. I've been contacted by Arianna (Marketing Department) and I totally loved the passion she had, explaining me the project of Berto and I wanted immediately drive to visit Berto in Bovolenta also if (unfortunately) in that period there weren’t any typical food festival of the area. :-)
 
Which Berto’s fabrics have you been working with for your project/collection?

I've used the BARBADOS big stripes for the main suit of the SS16 collection called "Dandy on the beach" but also OSCAR, TOBAGO, ESKIMO.

What's the most meaningful part about this project in your opinion? What have you been able to achieve thanks to this program?

Finally someone who really want to help new brands and designers! Berto supports us giving us an exclusive selection of fine fabrics with no real minimum order and this gives us the possibility to produce our collections also if sometimes we don't reach the quantity. Love this new mood of work! 

“Less but better” could be read as an endorsement for purity in design but in fashion design too. It can also be adopted as an environmental message about reduction and sustainability. What do you think about this?

Mitchumm is a "green philosophy brand". We always take care about the environment sustainability making recycled paper packaging and working with non toxic dyeing and printing. We love to work with little Italian crafters because we believe in making something unique and giving a real quality and Italian pride to our customers, that's also why Mitchumm can be considered a niche menswear brand. 

Is there anything you'd like to do that you haven't done yet?

I've never stopped thinking about a little capsule collection dedicated of one of my real passion, denim! Maybe this will happen soon, too.

www.mitchumm.com